i Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Stuart F. Delery Speaks at American Bar Association Forum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 May 2012 16:04:33 EDT "The Abbott resolution was the most recent result of the President’s initiative to crack down on health care fraud," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Delery. Full Article Speech
i Dreamboard Member Found Guilty in Louisiana for Participating in International Criminal Network Organized to Sexually Exploit Children By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2012 09:55:45 EDT John Wyss, aka “Bones,” 55, of Monroe, Wis., was found guilty of one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, one count of conspiracy to advertise child pornography and one count of conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i North Carolina Department of Corrections Probation Officer Indicted for Civil Rights Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2012 13:59:39 EDT The Department of Justice announced that North Carolina Department of Correction’s Division of Community Corrections Probation Officer Willie James Steele Jr., 47, was indicted yesterday on civil rights charges for violating the constitutional rights of a female probationer that he was supervising by coercing her into sexual acts on two separate occasions. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Files Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit Against the Nevada Division of Forestry By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2012 14:16:07 EDT The Department of Justice today announced the filing of a lawsuit against the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) alleging that NDF discriminated against Ms. Tawnya Meyer, a former employee, when they fired her soon after she announced her pregnancy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Ship’s Captain Convicted of Obstructing a Coast Guard Inspection By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2012 15:31:02 EDT Prastana Taohim, 38, the captain of the M/V Gaurav Prem, was found guilty of two counts of obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Extends Compliance Deadline for Existing Pools Under the 2010 ADA Standards By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2012 17:30:31 EDT The Justice Department announced today an extension for existing swimming pools to comply with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. Existing pools must comply with the standards by Jan. 31, 2013. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Settles with Flint, Michigan, to Make Voting Accessible to People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 13:02:45 EDT The Justice Department today announced a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the city of Flint, Mich., to make all the city’s polling places more accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. The case was commenced based on a complaint from the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, and was investigated jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Michigan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Alexandria, Virginia, Resident Pleads Guilty to Corruptly Endeavoring to Impede the Internal Revenue Service By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 13:57:30 EDT Donald R. Megginson, a former resident of Alexandria, Va., pleaded guilty to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Settles with Home Depot to Enforce the Employment Rights of an Army National Guard Soldier By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 15:40:21 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with Home Depot U.S.A. Inc., to resolve allegations that the company violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) when it terminated the employment of Army National Guard soldier Brian Bailey. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i President of South Carolina-Based Firm Charged with Illegally Exporting Goods to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 18:22:00 EDT Markos Baghdasarian, the president of Delfin Group USA, was arrested on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, just prior to boarding an international flight to the United Arab Emirates. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Haitian Government Official Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Role in Scheme to Launder Bribes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 19:32:32 EDT Jean Rene Duperval, a former director of international relations for Telecommunications D’Haiti S.A.M. (Haiti Teleco), a Haitian state-owned telecommunications company, was sentenced today to nine years in prison for his role in a scheme to launder bribes paid to him by two Miami-based telecommunications companies. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks on Alternatives to Incarceration Program: the Use of “Drug Courts” in the Federal and State Systems By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 19:04:11 EDT "The Attorney General and I are committed to a criminal justice system and a sentencing policy that are both tough and fair; that deter those contemplating serious criminal conduct and that are guided by research that show when non-incarceration is the best sanction," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
i Ohio Insurance Salesman Guilty of Tax Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 10:07:51 EDT A jury convicted William A. Herder of Richland County, Ohio, yesterday on federal tax charges, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Pennsylvania Businessman Convicted of Filing False Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 17:20:00 EDT Jonathon Felix, formerly of Villanova, Pa., was found guilty by a federal jury of willfully signing and filing false income tax returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Petrese Tucker presided over the trial in Philadelphia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against New Jersey Information Technology Company for Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 17:34:06 EDT The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Whiz International, an information technology staffing company in Jersey City, N.J., regarding allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated an employee in retaliation for her opposition to Whiz’s preference for foreign nationals with temporary work visas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 64 Months in Prison on Child Pornography Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 18:13:26 EDT Chris Allen Oake, 61, of Acton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton in Boston. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the National Second Chance Act Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 10:29:53 EDT "It’s been remarkable to witness the way the issue of reentry has taken root in so many communities across the country. And it’s impressive to see how, thanks to visionary leaders in the Administration, in Congress, and in the states, the topic has become so prominent on the nation’s public safety agenda," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary Full Article Speech
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the National Second Chance Act Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 10:34:50 EDT "Today, I want to assure each of you that – for me, for President Obama, for leaders across the administration, and for my colleagues at every level of the Justice Department – effective reentry is, and will remain, a top priority," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Statement of the Attorney General on Resignation of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 12:32:31 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the resignation of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Delaware Company Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Discharges of Oil in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:35:14 EDT A Delaware company pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana to negligently discharging oil into the bayous of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, the Department of Justice announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Recognizes Efforts to Rescue Children from Abuse and Prosecute Predators By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:14:23 EDT Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole paid tribute to four individuals today during the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony at the Justice Department’s Great Hall. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i BP Agrees to Add More Than $400 Million in Pollution Controls at Indiana Refinery and Pay $8 Million Clean Air Act Penalty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 15:02:56 EDT BP North America Inc. has agreed to pay an $8 million penalty and invest more than $400 million to install state-of-the-art pollution controls and cut emissions from BP’s petroleum refinery in Whiting, Ind. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Georgia Tax Cheats Indicted for Conspiring to Defraud the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 16:28:17 EDT Tyrone Devon Thompson, Aritha Currie, Julius Thompson, Tronda Thompson and Shonda Sneed were charged in an indictment by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Georgia on a variety of counts stemming from a tax fraud scheme, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The 22-count indictment charges all five with conspiring to defraud the United States and filing false claims against the United States. The indictment, which was returned on May 11, 2012, was unsealed following the defendants’ arrests. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Final Defendant Sentenced for His Role in International Conspiracy Involving the Forced Labor of Eastern European Women in Detroit-area Exotic Dance Clubs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 16:27:03 EDT Veniamin Gonikman, 56, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Ukraine, was sentenced today in federal court for his role in an international conspiracy to compel Eastern European women to work in exotic dance clubs in the Detroit metropolitan area. U.S. District Court Judge Victoria A. Roberts sentenced Gonikman to 36 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. He is the ninth and final member of the charged conspiracy to be sentenced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Investment Club Manager Sentenced in Virginia to 12 Years in Prison for $40 Million Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 17:56:10 EDT Alan James Watson, 47, of Clinton Township, Mich., was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for fraudulently soliciting and accepting $40 million from more than 900 members of his investment club, Cash Flow Financial LLC (CFF). Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the American Law Institute Annual Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 09:15:33 EDT "For nearly nine decades, ALI has been on the front lines of efforts to improve the strength, integrity, and effectiveness of our justice system," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 17th Annual Congressional Breakfast By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 09:27:52 EDT "Today, I’m very pleased to announce that we’re awarding almost $27 million to support NCMEC’s great work. The funds will continue all the great programs I just named – and many more, like the national resource center and information clearinghouse," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
i Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the Justice Department’s National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:12:38 EDT "I’ve spent much of my career – as a prosecutor, in government, and as head of the National Center for Victims of Crime – working to strengthen our responses to victims of all ages. I never cease to marvel at the incredible devotion and resolve of victim advocates," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
i Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the Justice Department’s National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:18:16 EDT "I am so pleased to be here today to honor four individuals for their extraordinary efforts to find and rescue missing and exploited children and bring perpetrators to justice. Their achievements – and the stories behind them – remind us of the special qualities possessed by every single one of you who works to protect our children," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at Harvard Law School Class Day By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 15:40:13 EDT "And although I may not know anything about creating an Emmy-winning comedy series, or exposing the absurdity of modern politics through a satirical newscast – though I frequently encounter the absurdity of modern-day American politics – I do know something about what you’ve experienced, and about how you feel – right now, in this moment, with so much hard work and so many long nights of studying behind you – and an exciting, but uncertain, future now before you," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group Announces New Resources to Investigate RMBS Misconduct By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 12:23:23 EDT The Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group announced new resources today in the ongoing effort to investigate misconduct, including the launch of a RMBS website to report fraud and the creation of a coordination team to facilitate the various investigations underway around the country. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Issues Further Guidance on Accessibility Requirements for Existing Swimming Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 13:34:51 EDT The Justice Department released two technical assistance documents today regarding the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to swimming pools. The documents can be found at www.ada.gov//qa_existingpools_titleIII.htm and www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i U.S. Court Rules That Nation’s Auto Dealers Are Required to Provide Complete Data on Car Loan Terms By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 15:50:37 EDT A federal judge in Washington has ruled that automobile dealers who engage in certain three-party financing transactions must disclose certain information to consumers who take out car loans if they are offered less favorable terms, such as a higher interest rate, than the most favorable terms available to the majority of consumers Full Article OPA Press Releases
i California Woman Indicted for Allegedly Impersonating a Congressional Aide By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 18:28:49 EDT The indictment charges Susan Tomsha-Miguel, 51. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Settles with Louisiana School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for All Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 17:54:45 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it entered into a settlement agreement with the Lincoln Parish School Board in Louisiana to ensure the school district reaches full compliance with its longstanding desegregation obligations. The agreement was approved by a judge today and is in the form of a consent order. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at Drug Court Commencement and Phase Progression Recognition Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:11:58 EDT "My colleagues and I across the Justice Department – and the entire Obama Administration – remain deeply committed to expanding this work through funding grants, training, and other forms of assistance. We’re eager to continue partnering with leading jurists like those who serve this Court, tireless advocates like our allies at the PSA and NADCP, and determined drug court participants like each of you," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Texas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 09:52:59 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor primary elections on May 29, 2012, in Fort Bend, Harris and Jefferson Counties in Texas, to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes. The Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the election process on the basis of race, color or membership in a minority language group. In addition, the act requires certain covered jurisdictions to provide language assistance during the election process. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Miami Man Convicted for Obstruction of Justice and False Statements for Certifying Ships Safe for Sea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 12:35:21 EDT Alejandro Gonzalez, 60, of Miami-Dade County, Fla., was convicted by a federal jury in Miami of three counts of making false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and one count of obstruction of an agency proceeding. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Mid-America Pipeline Company and Enterprise Products Operating to Pay $1 Million for Spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 12:01:45 EDT Mid-America Pipeline Company LLC (MAPCO), and Enterprise Products Operating LLC, of Houston, have agreed to pay a civil penalty of more than $1 million to the United States to settle violations of the federal Clean Water Act related to three natural gasoline pipeline spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Owner of Hawaii Car Dealerships and Chief Financial Officer Plead Guilty to Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 14:06:10 EDT Charles Alan Pflueger, owner of Pflueger Inc., Randall Kurata, the company’s chief financial officer, and Julie Kam, Pflueger’s executive assistant, pleaded guilty to filing false federal income tax returns before U.S. District Court Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi in Honolulu, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in California By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 13:31:00 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with California state officials to help ensure that military servicemembers, their family members and U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in California’s June 5, 2012, federal primary election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Head of Worldwide Sales at California Valve Company Pleads Guilty to Foreign Bribery Offense By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 16:40:25 EDT Paul Cosgrove, the former Head of Worldwide Sales at Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based valve company Control Components Inc. (CCI) pleaded guilty today to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Self-proclaimed “Governor” of Alabama Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 18:07:56 EDT Monty Ervin and Patricia Ervin, owners of Southern Realty in Dothan, Ala., were sentenced today to federal prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and tax evasion, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. After a two-week trial that began Oct. 25, 2011, a federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., convicted the Ervins of one count of conspiracy and three counts of tax evasion. The jury also convicted Patricia Ervin of one count of structuring transactions to avoid bank reporting requirements. Monty Ervin was sentenced to 120 months in prison; Patricia Ervin was sentenced to five years of probation, with the condition that she spend 40 consecutive weekends in jail. In sentencing the Ervins, the court found that Monty Ervin was the leader and organizer of the conspiracy and exercised control over Patricia Ervin. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Romanian National Extradited to U.S. to Face Charges for Allegedly Participating in Multimillion Dollar Scheme to Hack into and Steal Credit Card Data from U.S. Merchants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 18:16:05 EDT Adrian-Tiberiu Oprea, 28, of Constanta, Romania, was extradited to the United States and appeared in federal court in New Hampshire today, to face federal charges relating to his alleged participation in an international multimillion dollar scheme to remotely hack into and steal payment card data from hundreds of U.S. merchants’ “point of sale” computer systems. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against New Jersey Information Technology Company for Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 11:05:59 EDT The Justice Department settled a lawsuit today against Whiz International LLC, an information technology staffing company in Jersey City, N.J., regarding allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated an employee in retaliation for expressing opposition to Whiz’s alleged preference for foreign nationals with temporary work visas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Settles Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against New York City Transit Authority By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:12:10 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) to resolve allegations that the NYCTA is engaged in a pattern or practice of religious discrimination. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i New York Businessman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Corporate Tax Return By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:10:26 EDT Sung Soo Shin, of Staten Island, N.Y., president of Mission Design and Management Inc. (MDMI), pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to filing a false corporate income tax return, for the fiscal year 2009, before U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i National Science Foundation Program Director Pleads Guilty in Connection with Scheme to Conceal Received Benefits By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:17:42 EDT Dr. Shih Chi Liu, 73, of Silver Spring, Md., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Singapore Ship Operator and Engineers Plead Guilty to Crimes Related to Pollution from Cargo Ship Traveling to Mobile, Alabama By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:21:38 EDT Target Ship Management Pte. Ltd., the operator of the M/V Gaurav Prem, pleaded guilty to a violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships for failing to properly maintain an oil record book as required by federal and international law, as well as making material false statements during a U.S. Coast Guard inspection of the ship at the port of Mobile in September 2011. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i South Florida Retired Businessman Pleads Guilty to Failing to Disclose Assets Held in Swiss Banks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 17:05:17 EDT Wolfgang Roessel of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida to filing a false tax return for 2007, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases