o Justice Department Settles Housing Discrimination Lawsuit in Waterloo, Iowa By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:06:17 EDT The lawsuit alleges that Michael Nieman, the former on-site manager of Park Towers, sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Virginia Store Owner Arrested for Selling Counterfeit Goods By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:33:30 EDT Belal Amin Alsaidi, 30, of Petersburg, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury yesterday in Richmond, Va., with one count of conspiracy and three counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Federal Court Shuts Down South Florida Tax Return Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:43:13 EDT A federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has permanently barred Danesa Webb from preparing federal tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o NASA Contractor to Pay U.S. to Resolve False Claims Act Liability Concerning Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:55:43 EDT Lydia Demski, the owner of Deerpath Corp., has agreed to pay the United States $800,000 to resolve allegations that she and her companies knowingly caused false claims to be submitted relating to a contract to provide re-furbishment of equipment at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Plumbrook facility in Sandusky, Ohio. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Member of Rhode Island La Cosa Nostra Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Role in Murder-For-Hire Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:22:37 EDT Anthony St. Laurent Sr., 70, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role in an attempted murder-for-hire. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Last of 10 Las Vegas Defendants Sentenced for Falsifying Emissions Test Records By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:56:34 EDT William Joseph McCown, 49, of Las Vegas, was sentenced today before District Judge Lloyd D. George of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Professional Illinois Duck Hunter Jeff Foiles Sentenced to More Than One Year in Jail and Fines for Illegal Hunting and Guiding Activities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:06:42 EDT Professional duck hunter and guide Jeffrey B. Foiles was sentenced today by a federal judge in Springfield, Ill., to 13 months in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Alabama Defense Contractor and Its President to Pay $200,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:01:30 EDT Future Research Corp., located in Huntsville, Ala., and its president, Jesse Nunn, have agreed to pay the United States $200,000 to settle claims that they inappropriately obtained contracts from the Navy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Ten Miami-Area Residents Plead Guilty in $25 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:14:19 EDT Ten Miami-area residents pleaded guilty today and yesterday in U.S. District Court in Miami for their participation in a $25 million home health Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Second Californian Sentenced on False Tax Refund Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:55:21 EDT Haroon Amin of Upland, Calif., was sentenced to 30 months in prison today for conspiracy to defraud the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Charges South Carolina Landlord with Discrimination Against Families with Children By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:31:32 EDT The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against a Charleston, S.C.-area landlord for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against families with children. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Texas Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:37:36 EDT Raymond Quintero, 33, pleaded guilty to willfully depriving a detainee of his constitutional right to be free from excessive force amounting to punishment. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Prepared Statement of Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:22:29 EDT "Our common objective is to deploy the counter terrorist financing tools available to the United States in a coordinated, integrated fashion to effectively disrupt the flow of funds and other material support to terrorist organizations," said Assistant Attorney General Monaco. Full Article Testimony
o Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks to the Institute of International and European Affairs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:25:04 EDT "As surely as our values are shared – and our histories intertwined -- the future progress of our nations is clearly, and permanently, connected," Full Article Speech
o Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Michigan Promoters of Alleged Tax Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:58:54 EDT The United States has asked a federal court in Detroit to bar Damian Jackson and his wife, Holly Jackson, from preparing federal tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Rochester, New York, Asbestos Abatement Contractor Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Environmental Crimes and False Statements to OSHA By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:25:53 EDT After a two day hearing in federal court in Rochester, N.Y., that ended late yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa sentenced Keith Gordon-Smith, 54, of Rochester, to six years in prison for knowingly violating the Clean Air Act and making false statements to a federal inspector. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Florida Manufacturer of Skin Products Agrees to Consent Decree to Resolve Allegations of FDCA Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:03:12 EDT The complaint and consent decree were filed today in accordance with an agreement with the defendants resolving numerous violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Investment Club Manager Pleads Guilty to $40 Million Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:48:04 EDT – Alan James Watson, 46, of Clinton Township, Mich., pleaded guilty today to fraudulently soliciting and accepting $40 million from more than 750 members of his investment club and losing nearly all of it through non-disclosed, high-risk investments. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Member and Associate of Barrio Azteca Gang Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:52:50 EDT Jesus Espino, 43, of El Paso, Texas, and Lorenzo Espino, 51, aka “Lencho,” and “Oso,” of El Paso, each pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norbert Garney in the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division, to participating in a racketeering conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Colorado-Based CH2M Hill Agrees to Pay United States $1.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Act Liability By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:51:41 EDT CH2M Hill Hanford Group Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted false claims and paid kickbacks relating to a contract to operate and manage mixed radioactive waste at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Nuclear Site in the state of Washington. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Texas Construction Company Employee Pleads Guilty to Soliciting and Accepting Kickbacks on Federal Contract By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:43:35 EDT A former project manager of a construction company that had substantial business at Fort Bliss, a U.S. Army installation in El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty today to soliciting and accepting kickbacks from subcontractors on a federal contract with the U.S. Army. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Army Contracting Officials and Defense Contractor Indicted for Bribery and Theft of Government Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:02:27 EDT A former member of the U.S. Army employed by a private security firm was arrested at Miami International Airport today on charges of bribery, fraud and theft of government funds, in connection with the award of a contract to provide services to a U.S. government provincial reconstruction team in Farah, Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Resolves Claims Against ServiceMaster 24-Hour and Gregory Tullar to Enforce the Employment Rights of Army Reserve Member By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:59:57 EDT The Justice Department today resolved claims made by U.S. Army Reserve member Kyle A. Sharp against ServiceMaster 24-Hour and Gregory Tullar, ServiceMaster’s owner and operator, alleging that they violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Prepared Statement of Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:35:06 EDT I appreciate this opportunity to appear before the Committee on behalf of the Department of Justice to offer the Department’s report on implementation of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, Title II of Public Law 111-211 (TLOA). Full Article Speech
o Former Army Reserve Captain Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Soliciting $1.3 Million in Bribes and Conspiring to Traffic Heroin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:50:20 EDT A former captain in the U.S. Army Reserve stationed in Afghanistan was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for soliciting $1.3 million in bribes from contractors involved in U.S.-funded reconstruction efforts and participating in a conspiracy to traffic heroin from Southeast Asia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Four Alleged New England La Cosa Nostra Members and Associates Charged with Racketeering and Other Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:03:13 EDT Four alleged members and associates of the New England La Cosa Nostra (LCN), including an alleged Rhode Island leader, have been arrested and charged in a second superseding indictment returned yesterday in federal court in Providence, R.I., with crimes involving racketeering and extortion. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Alabama Woman Convicted of Stealing Identities and Conspiring with Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:35:30 EDT Janika Fernae Bates Millbrook, Ala., was convicted of identity theft, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to make false claims for tax refunds. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Federal Court in Los Angeles Shuts Down Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:18:01 EDT A federal court in Los Angeles has permanently barred Mario Placencia from preparing federal tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Founder of NinjaVideo Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:41:35 EDT Matthew David Howard Smith pleaded guilty today for his role in founding a website that provided millions of users with the ability to illegally download copyright-protected movies and television programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Fourth Las Vegas Resident Pleads Guilty in Connection with Scheme to Fraudulently Control Condominium Homeowners' Associations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:44:14 EDT A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty today for her role in a scheme to fraudulently gain control of condominium homeowners’ associations (HOA) in the Las Vegas area so that the HOAs would direct business to a certain law firm and construction company. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Delivers Remarks at Rhode Island La Cosa Nostra Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:26:29 EDT "Today’s operations represent the kind of collaborative law enforcement that breeds success," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. Full Article Speech
o Boston Scientific Subsidiary Guidant Pays U.S. $9.25 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:38:51 EDT Guidant LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corp. of Natick, Mass., has agreed to pay the United States $9.25 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Bloods Gang Member in Nashville Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:56:43 EDT Antonio Washington, 22, aka “T.O.,” of Nashville, also was ordered by U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Settles Disability Discrimination Suit Against Michigan Developer and Architect By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:22:32 EDT Under the agreement, which must still be approved by the court, developer, Enclave Development LLC, will make extensive modifications to the complex over the next three years to improve accessibility, and Enclave Development and the other defendants will pay $30,000 to compensate persons who have been harmed by the inaccessible design and construction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the American Health Lawyers Association and Health Care Compliance Association’s 2011 Fraud and Compliance Forum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:18:05 EDT "In the Criminal Division, and throughout the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, we devote substantial resources to investigating and prosecuting fraud of all kinds – investment fraud, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, procurement fraud, and, of course, fraud in the health care industry," Assistant Attorney General Breuer. Full Article Speech
o Two Miami-Area Residents Plead Guilty in $25 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:58:59 EDT Maritza Vidal, 44, and Richard Diaz, 26, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Kentucky Doctor Pays U.S. $349,860 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:14:20 EDT Louisville, Ky., physician Dr. Steven H. Stern and his practice, Kentuckiana Center for Better Bone and Joint Health PLLC have agreed to pay $349,860 to settle allegations of overbilling Medicare. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o President of Virginia-Based Connection Newspapers Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Failing to Pay Employment Taxes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:50:17 EDT Peter Labovitz of Alexandria, Va., was sentenced to six months in prison for failing to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Holder Convenes Federal Reentry Council By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:17:57 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder today convened the second meeting of the federal interagency Reentry Council to address ways to ensure those returning from prison become productive, law-abiding citizens. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Massachusetts Takes Steps to Require Sheltered English Immersion Training in Response to Justice Department’s Letter By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:13:34 EDT Today, in response to a letter from the Justice Department, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to grant the Commissioner of Education authority to draft state regulations that will require training of all Sheltered English Immersion teachers who instruct English Language Learner students. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Executives from Panasonic Corp., Whirlpool Corp. Subsidiary and Tecumseh Products Co. Subsidiary Indicted in Compressor Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:38:56 EDT A Detroit federal grand jury returned an indictment today against three former executives from Panasonic Corporation, a Whirlpool Corporation subsidiary and a Tecumseh Products Company subsidiary for their role in an international conspiracy to fix the prices of refrigerant compressors. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Nearly 40 Members and Associates of Bandido Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Charged in Three Districts for Alleged Drug and Firearm Offenses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:42:31 EDT Nearly 40 members and associates of the Bandido Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (BOMG) were arrested yesterday and today on various firearms and drug-related charges in three judicial districts as part of a coordinated law enforcement effort. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o HSBC India Client Indicted for Conspiracy to Defraud the Internal Revenue Service By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:35:17 EDT A superseding indictment was returned today in Milwaukee against Dr. Arvind Ahuja of Greendale, Wis., adding a charge of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Six Japanese Freight Forwarding Companies Agree to Plead Guilty to Criminal Price-Fixing Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:33:48 EDT Six Japanese freight forwarders have agreed to plead guilty and to pay criminal fines totaling $46.8 million for their roles in a conspiracy to fix certain fees in connection with the provision of freight forwarding services for air cargo shipments from Japan to the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Trident Seafoods Corp. to Pay $2.5 Million to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations and Spend More Than $30 Million to Upgrade Processing Plants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:59:08 EDT Trident Seafoods Corp., one of the world’s largest seafood processors, has agreed to pay a $2.5 million civil penalty and invest millions in seafood processing waste controls to settle alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Guard Charged with Attempting to Communicate National Defense Information to People’s Republic of China By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:20:35 EDT Bryan Underwood, a former contract guard working at a U.S. Consulate in China, has been charged in a superseding indictment with one count of attempting to communicate national defense information to a foreign government, two counts of making false statements and one count of failing to appear in court pursuant to his conditions of release. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Federal Court Bars Southern California Man from Preparing Federal Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:28:09 EDT A federal court has permanently barred Dennis Giroud from preparing federal tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Arkansas Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crimes Related to the Assault of Five Hispanic Men By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:42:42 EDT Frankie Maybee, 20, and Sean Popejoy, 19, both of Green Forest, Ark., were sentenced for their roles in committing federal hate crimes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Signs Agreement with Warrenton, Virginia, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:07:25 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the town of Warrenton, Va., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for individuals with disabilities. The agreement was reached under Project Civic Access. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Houston-based Principals of A&O Entities Sentenced in Virginia for $100 Million Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:04:35 EDT Two principals of A&O Resource Management Ltd. have been sentenced for their roles in a $100 million life settlement fraud scheme, which included more than 800 victims across the United States and Canada. Full Article OPA Press Releases