i Shreveport, La., Wastewater General Manager and Former Owner Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Discharging Pollutants into the Red River By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 17:39:02 EST John Tuma, 55, of Centerville, Texas, was sentenced today following his March 21, 2012, trial conviction by a federal jury for discharging untreated wastewater directly into the Red River without a permit, discharging untreated wastewater into the city of Shreveport sewer system in violation of its permit and obstructing an EPA inspection. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Notorious Sex Trafficker Terrence “T-Rex” Yarbrough Faces up to Life in Prison Following Sex Trafficking Conviction in Tennessee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 17:04:33 EST Terrence Yarbrough, a/k/a, “T-Rex,” 37, of Memphis, Tenn., was convicted today in federal court on 10 counts of sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online Ministerial By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 10:22:54 EST "Despite the uncertain challenges we face, and the many responsibilities before us, I’m confident that today’s session will afford a unique opportunity to strengthen our shared commitment to this work," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder on the Resignation of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 11:25:59 EST Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the resignation of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Jim Letten. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Interim Appointment of Dana J. Boente as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 11:27:03 EST The Department of Justice announced today the interim appointment of Dana J. Boente as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Healthpoint Ltd. to Pay up to $48 Million for False Medicaid and Medicare Claims for Unapproved Prescription Drug By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 10:46:26 EST Healthpoint Ltd. and DFB Pharmaceuticals will pay up to $48 million to resolve allegations that Healthpoint caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for an unapproved drug, Xenaderm, which was ineligible for reimbursement by those programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Pledge to Work Together to Protect Consumers from Credit Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 15:53:31 EST The Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) signed an agreement today to strengthen coordination on fair lending enforcement and avoid duplication of their respective federal law enforcement efforts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty in Miami for Role in $23 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 17:50:51 EST A co-owner and operator of three Miami discount pharmacies pleaded guilty today in connection with a $23 million health care fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Las Vegas Playboy Bloods Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 18:08:44 EST A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise as a member of the Playboy Bloods criminal street gang. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the National Indian Nations Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 12:07:12 EST "We recognize that crime rates are high in Indian country and help is not easy to come by, given tribes’ geographical remoteness and scarcity of resources. But tribal victim service providers have shown time and again that their efforts to meet these challenges are unflagging," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
i Special Advisor, International for the Antitrust Division Rachel Brandenburger Speaks at the 29th Annual American Chamber of Commerce EU Competition Policy Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 14:19:29 EST It is an honor and a delight to be back here in Brussels to address the AmCham EU Competition Policy Conference this afternoon. I should like also to congratulate our hosts on this year’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Common Market Panel of AmCham Belgium, the forerunner of today’s AmCham EU, which has done so much to foster understanding between the United States and the European Commission in the economic sphere. Full Article Speech
i Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission to Hold Workshop on Patent Assertion Entity Activities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 14:30:37 EST The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will hold a joint public workshop on Dec. 10, 2012, to explore the impact of patent assertion entity (PAE) activities on innovation and competition and the implications for antitrust enforcement and policy, which will also be webcast live. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Supports Week of Public Safety Events in Indian Country By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 16:28:39 EST U.S. Department of Justice Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West today addressed tribal leaders, law enforcement officers, lawyers and judges, policy experts and health and social services providers, and representatives from federal, state, local and tribal governments following a week of public safety events at the 13th National Indian Nations Conference in Agua Caliente, Calif. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Florida CPA Sentenced for Role in Foreclosure Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 17:13:06 EST Barrington Coombs, 58, of Weston, Fla., was sentenced today to serve a year and a day in prison for his role in a foreclosure rescue scheme that victimized desperate homeowners on the brink of losing their homes, the Justice Department announced. Coombs was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra in the Southern District of Florida. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the National Indian Nations Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 16:18:33 EST "We cannot rest as long as crime rates in many tribal communities remain far above the national average. We cannot rest as long as tribal members suffer disproportionately from violence, property offenses, and other criminal acts. And we absolutely cannot rest as long as Native women continue to encounter alarming rates of violence -- something that is simply unacceptable," said Acting Associate Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
i British Contractor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy Related to Iraq Reconstruction Efforts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:39:22 EST British contractor APTx Vehicle Systems Limited agreed today to plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Coalition Provisional Authority that governed Iraq from April 2003 to June 2004, the government of Iraq and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former California Police Officer Indicted and Arrested on Civil Rights Charges for Sexually Assaulting Woman While Transporting Her to Jail By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:24:38 EST Bryan Benson, a former Anderson, Calif., police officer, was arrested today on charges of deprivation of civil rights for sexually assaulting a woman while transporting her to jail and of trying to conceal his criminal conduct, announced the Justice Department. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Dallas Securities Broker Pleads Guilty in Oklahoma for Role in Stock Manipulation Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:12:43 EST A former securities broker pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud thousands of investors through the manipulation of publicly traded stocks. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Brooklyn, N.Y., Physician and Clinic President Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:14:00 EST A medical doctor and the president of two Brooklyn, N.Y., medical clinics pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme resulting in more than $11.7 million in fraudulent Medicare claims. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Announces Consent Decree Regarding Orleans Parish Prison in New Orleans By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:55:02 EST The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a proposed consent decree with class plaintiffs and Orleans Parish Prison (OPP) Sheriff Marlin Gusman following a comprehensive investigation and extensive settlement negotiations regarding unlawful conditions at the prison. The consent decree outlines remedial measures to address the allegations in the complaints filed by class plaintiffs and by the United States in Jones v. Gusman, including deficiencies in prisoner safety from physical and sexual assaults, medical and mental health care, suicide prevention, environmental and life safety and limited English proficiency (LEP) services for Spanish-speaking prisoners. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Federal Court Permanently Bars Baton Rouge Tax Service from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:31:41 EST A federal court has permanently barred Larry Carnell Dixon Sr., a Louisiana tax return preparer, and his business, Dixon’s Tax Service, LLC from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. The civil injunction order, to which Dixon and Dixon’s Tax Service LLC, consented without admitting the allegations against them, was signed by Judge James Brady of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department and New York Attorney General File Antitrust Lawsuit Against New York City Tour Bus Joint Venture of Coach USA and City Sights By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:06:27 EST The Department of Justice and New York State Attorney General filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today against a tour bus joint venture formed by Coach USA Inc. and City Sights LLC alleging that the joint venture, known as Twin America LLC, has resulted in higher prices for hop-on, hop-off bus tours in New York City. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Announces Availability of Funding to Federally-Recognized Tribes and Tribal Consortia By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:09:39 EST The Department of Justice today announced the opening of their comprehensive grant solicitation period for funding to support public safety, victim services and crime prevention improvements for American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department Sues Nevada CPA to Block Promotion of Alleged Tax Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:08:13 EST The United States has sued a Las Vegas-based CPA and two others to stop an alleged tax-fraud scheme, the Justice Department announced today. Named as defendants in the civil injunction suit were CPA Wayne Reeves, Reeves’ wife, Diane Vaoga, and their alleged co-promoter, James Stoll. The government complaint was filed last month in Las Vegas with the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Announcement of the court filing was delayed until Reeves was served with court papers this week. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Husband and Wife Sentenced in Virginia for Investment Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:55:56 EST Former FBI agent John Robert “Bob” Graves and his wife Sara Turberville Graves were sentenced today in federal court to serve 135 months in prison and 36 months in prison, respectively, for their participation in an investment fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Foreclosure Rescue Scam and Theft of Government Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:59:37 EST A Las Vegas man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for operating a foreclosure rescue scam that defrauded distressed homeowners who were struggling to pay their mortgages. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:17:46 EST "This “new patriotism” should not countenance through procedural abuses – which are sadly found in our history, but nowhere in our founding documents – mechanisms that frustrate the desire of our fellow citizens to exercise their most fundamental, and uniquely American, rights," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Presents Final Findings, Recommendations to Attorney General By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:56:25 EST Attorney General Eric Holder’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence today presented its final report and policy recommendations gathered from public hearings held across the country over the past year. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Pfizer Agrees to Pay $55 Million for Illegally Promoting Protonix for Off-Label Use By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:50:16 EST Pfizer Inc. will pay $55 million plus interest to resolve allegations that Wyeth LLC illegally introduced and caused the introduction into interstate commerce of a misbranded drug, Protonix, between February 2000 and June 2001, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Two Alabama Real Estate Investors and Their Company Plead Guilty to Conspiracies to Rig Bids and Commit Mail Fraud for the Purchase of Real Estate at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:45:31 EST Two Alabama real estate investors and their company pleaded guilty today for their roles in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in southern Alabama. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Introduction of the Presentation of the Final Report of the Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:41:15 EST "Now, there’s no question that we can be proud of the anti-violence work that’s already under way - and the progress that so many of you are leading - in big cities and small towns across the country. But, as this report clearly illustrates, we cannot yet be satisfied - and this is no time to become complacent," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Conclusion of the Presentation of the Final Report of the Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:49:34 EST "This report is a central part of the Department’s broader efforts to collect information, solicit expert guidance, and formulate proactive strategies for addressing children’s exposure to violence. Its findings are consistent with, and complementary to, another recent report – focused on exposure to domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault – that was released by the National Advisory Committee for the Office on Violence Against Women," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
i Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer, His Girlfriend and Two of Their Associates Plead Guilty to Participating in Multi-year Bribery and Alien Smuggling Activities Along U.S./Mexico Border By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:57:43 EST A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, his girlfriend and two of their associates pleaded guilty today in federal court for their participation in multi-year bribery and alien smuggling activities along the U.S./Mexico border. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Florida Accountant Indicted for Stealing Client Money Intended for IRS By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:51:18 EST An indictment was unsealed today in Fort Pierce, Fla., charging Joseph Rizzuti with one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and four counts of wire fraud, the Justice Department and the IRS announced. The indictment was returned by a grand jury on Nov. 29, 2012. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i U.S., Pennsylvania and Scranton, Pa., Sewer Authority Settle Violations of Sewage Overflows By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:26:43 EST The United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced today a settlement with the Scranton Sewer Authority (SSA) resolving alleged Clean Water Act violations involving sewer overflows to the Lackawanna River and its tributaries/ Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Owner of Louisiana-Based Health Care Company Convicted in Texas for Role in $6.7 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:33:47 EST The owner and operator of a Louisiana-based durable medical equipment (DME) company was convicted today by a federal jury in Houston for his role in a $6.7 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Louisiana Man Arrested on Charges of Receiving Illegal Kickbacks in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:17:12 EST The former vice president of a construction company doing work in Afghanistan was arrested today on allegations of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gratuities from subcontractors during his employment in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former New Jersey Chiropractor Charged in Scheme to Extinguish Debt and to Obtain Fraudulent IRS Tax Refunds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:26:57 EST A federal grand jury in Trenton, N.J., returned an indictment charging David Moleski with 14 counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of corruptly impeding the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws and three counts of filing false claims for tax refunds, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Louisiana Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to FBI, Falsifying Records By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:28:20 EST Kevin L. Groom Sr, 45, a correctional officer with the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge James J. Brady for the Middle District of Louisiana for his role in covering up an incident in which correctional officers used excessive force against an inmate. Groom admitted filing a false report and subsequently providing false information to the FBI about the incident. Investigation of the incident is ongoing. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i New Jersey Man Arrested for Illegally Importing Narwhal Tusks and Money Laundering By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:19:40 EST A New Jersey man was arrested today for crimes related to the illegal importation and illegal trafficking of narwhal tusks (whale tusk) and associated money laundering crimes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Department of Justice Forfeits Nearly $7 Million in Proceeds of Unlawful Offshore Gambling and Money Laundering Following Guilty Plea by William Paul Scott By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:38:38 EST The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a consent order of forfeiture today ordering the civil forfeiture of $6,976,924 traced to international money laundering of the proceeds from an offshore Internet gambling operation that illegally targeted U.S. residents. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Lincoln County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office Detective Sentenced on Sexual Abuse Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:46:33 EST Scott Edwards, a former Lincoln County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department detective, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison followed by three years supervised release for violating the constitutional rights of five women through acts of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual contact while serving as their “drug court tracker,” when the women were participants in the Lincoln County Drug Court program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Former Alabama State Employee Sentenced for Identity Theft and Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:06:49 EST Natacia Webster of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Webster had pleaded guilty to those charges in September 2012. She was also ordered to pay $113,000 in restitution and will serve three years on supervised release following her release from federal prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Payment Processor for Scareware Cybercrime Ring Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:43:30 EST A Swedish credit card payment processor was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for his role in an international cybercrime ring that netted $71 million by infecting victims’ computers with “scareware” and selling rogue antivirus software that was supposed to secure victims’ computers but was, in fact, useless. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Japanese-Based Toyo Ink and Affiliates in New Jersey and Illinois Settle False Claims Allegation for $45 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:53:32 EST Japan-based Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd. and various affiliated entities (collectively, Toyo Ink) have agreed to pay $45 million, plus interest, to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly failing to pay antidumping and countervailing duties, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Bridgeport, Conn., Drug Dealer Sentenced to Death for Murdering Three People in 2005 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:29:22 EST U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton today sentenced Azibo Aquart to death for murdering three Bridgeport, Conn., residents on Aug. 24, 2005. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Justice Department and the City of Portland, Ore., Jointly File Court Enforceable Agreement to Reform Portland Police Bureau’s Use of Force Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:19:35 EST The United States and the city of Portland, Ore., have jointly filed in federal court a proposed court enforceable settlement agreement to remedy constitutional claims that the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional uses of force in response to “low-level offenses” against persons with actual or perceived mental illness. The agreement addresses the allegations described in a civil action also filed today by the United States, under provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 for alleged violations of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Leader of $63 Million Mental Health Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty in Miami By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:41:03 EST The owner of a string of community mental health centers pleaded guilty today in connection with a health care fraud and money laundering scheme involving defunct health care provider Health Care Solutions Network Inc. (HCSN). Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Department of Justice Enters into Agreement to Reform the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:01:03 EST The Department of Justice today announced that it has entered into a comprehensive memorandum of agreement with the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn., to resolve findings of serious and systemic failures in the juvenile court that violate children’s due process and equal protection rights. Full Article OPA Press Releases
i Convicted Fraudster Admits Obstructing Justice, Attempting to Corruptly Influence U.s. Attorney to Dismiss Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:11:20 EST A defendant who tried to escape fraud charges against him by exerting pressure on a U.S. Attorney’s spouse and candidate for office pleaded guilty today to obstruction of justice for perpetrating the scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases