pr

United States and European Union Launch Formal Negotiations for an Agreement to Protect Personal Information Exchanged in the Context of Fighting Crime and Terrorism

A Joint statement on behalf of the United States and the European Union:



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Federal Court Shuts Down Three Alabama Tax Preparers

A federal court has permanently barred John Lewis, Artels James and Perry Wright from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Nebraska Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Engaging in a Child Exploitation Enterprise

Brandon Miller, 23, of Omaha, Neb., was sentenced today to 102 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

California Man Convicted of Conspiracy and Violating the Clean Air Act by Improperly Handling Asbestos

A Santa Clarita, Calif., resident was convicted today of five environmental charges related to the improper renovation of a San Fernando Valley, Calif., apartment complex – work that caused asbestos to be released into the complex and the surrounding community.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Susan B. Carbon, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, Speaks at the 4th Annual Army Sexual Harassment / Assault Response Prevention Summit

"As members of the military, you are leaders in our nation. Your communities admire you. Your voices matter. And your voices will make a key difference in changing the national dialogue on sexual assault. We can work together to achieve cultural change to stop sexual assault."




pr

Former Employee of Charlotte, North Carolina-Based Bank Pleads Guilty for His Role in Falsifying Bank Records Involving Proceeds of Municipal Bonds

According to charges filed today in U.S. District Court in New York City, Brian Scott Zwerner engaged in a conspiracy to falsify bank records related to the marketing profits for an investment agreement and other municipal finance contracts, including derivative contracts.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Prepared Statement of Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Chairman Wolf, Ranking Member Fattah and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, I’m very pleased to be here to discuss the President’s 2012 budget request for the Office of Justice Programs.




pr

Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission Seek Public Comment on Proposed Statement of Antitrust Enforcement Regarding Accountable Care Organizations

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today issued a joint statement about how the agencies will enforce U.S. antitrust laws in regard to new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

North Carolina Hospital to Pay U.S. $1.9 Million to Resolve Allegations Related to Kyphoplasty and Other Procedures

Rex Healthcare, a 655-bed hospital in Raleigh, N.C., has agreed to pay the United States $1.9 million, plus interest, to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Two Chinese Nationals Charged with Illegally Attempting to Export Military Satellite Components to the PRC

Two Chinese nationals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., for attempting to obtain radiation-hardened microchips, which are prohibited defense items used in the military and aerospace industry.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Statement of the Attorney General on the Prosecution of the 9/11 Conspirators

"In November 2009, I announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other individuals would stand trial in federal court for their roles in the terrorist attacks on our country on September 11, 2001. As I said then, the decision between federal courts and military commissions was not an easy one to make."




pr

Attorney General Eric Holder Commends City Officials, Leaders for Their Plans to Prevent Youth Violence

Attorney General Eric Holder today commended teams from six cities across the country for developing comprehensive plans to reduce youth violence in their communities.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Five Individuals Indicted for Alleged Roles in Scheme to Defraud Program Providing Matching Funds Contributions to Non-Profit Organization

A 10-count federal indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging Stephen Bekale, Reynaldo “Christian” Villarroel, Maritza Villarroel, Irma DeMartini and Jamal Ibraheem with conspiring to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Summit

"This gathering marks an important step forward in what I know – and what I pledge – will be an ongoing conversation about how we can address violence among – and directed toward – our nation’s young people."




pr

JGC Corporation Resolves Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigation and Agrees to Pay a $218.8 Million Criminal Penalty

JGC Corporation has agreed to pay a $218.8 million criminal penalty to resolve charges related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for its participation in a decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials to obtain engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Comverse Technology INC. Agrees to Pay $1.2 Million Penalty to Resolve Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Comverse Technology Inc., a New York City headquartered corporation, has agreed to pay a $1.2 million penalty for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Justice Department Requires Google Inc. to Develop and License Travel Software in Order to Proceed with Its Acquisition of ITA Software Inc.

In order for Google Inc. to proceed with its proposed acquisition of ITA Software Inc., the Justice Department will require Google to develop and license travel software, to establish internal firewall procedures and to continue software research and development.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Johnson & Johnson Agrees to Pay $21.4 Million Criminal Penalty to Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Oil for Food Investigations

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has agreed to pay a $21.4 million criminal penalty as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve improper payments by J&J subsidiaries to government officials in Greece, Poland and Romania in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Outlaws Motorcycle National President Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

The national president of the American Outlaw Association (Outlaws) motorcycle gang was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for leading a violent criminal organization.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Former Employee of U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Stealing Nearly $250,000

A former employee of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., to 42 months in prison for stealing nearly $250,000 intended for the payment of shipping and customs services for the embassy.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Virginia Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Plotting Attacks on D.C.-Area Metro Stations with People He Believed to Be Al-Qaeda Members

Farooque Ahmed, 35, of Ashburn, Va., was sentenced today to 23 years in prison, followed by 50 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to charges stemming from his attempts to assist others whom he believed to be members of al-Qaeda in planning bombings at Metrorail stations in the Washington, D.C., area.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against the Berkeley County, S.C., Sheriff’s Office for Violating the First Amendment and Inmate’s Right to Practice His Religion

The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the Berkeley County, S.C., Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Wayne DeWitt for violating the First Amendment and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Louisiana Father and Son Plead Guilty to Guiding Illegal Hunts for Protected Alligators

Larry Dees Sr., 66, and Larry Dees Jr., 37, both of Maringuoin, La., each pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge, La., to two violations of the Lacey Act for leading sport hunters to unauthorized areas to hunt American alligators in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act and Louisiana law.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Justice Department Files ADA Lawsuit Against Puerto Rico Department of Justice for Discriminatory Employment Practices

The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit in federal court in San Juan, Puerto Rico, charging the Puerto Rico Department of Justice with employment discrimination for failing to provide a reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Two Former Washington, D.C., Tax Return Preparers Charged with Preparing False Income Tax Returns

Two former Washington, D.C., tax preparers have been indicted on tax charges.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

CVS Pharmacy Inc. Agrees to Pay $17.5 Million to Resolve False Prescription Billing Case

CVS Pharmacy Inc., the retail pharmacy division of CVS Caremark Corporation that operates more than 7,000 retail pharmacies in 41 states and the District of Columbia, has agreed to pay the United States and 10 states $17.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Southern California Tax Return Preparer

The United States has asked a federal court to bar Dennis Giroud of Victorville, Calif., from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Federal Court Permanently Bars San Antonio Man from Preparing Tax Returns

A federal court has barred Eddie Madrigal of San Antonio and his business, Madrigal Tax Express Inc., from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Natural Resource Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Announce $1 Billion Agreement to Fund Early Gulf Coast Restoration Projects

Under an unprecedented agreement announced today by the Natural Resource Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BP has agreed to provide $1 billion toward early restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico to address injuries to natural resources caused by the spill.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Attorney General Holder Announces Formation of Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group to Focus on Energy Markets

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced the formation of a Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force Working Group to focus specifically on fraud in the energy markets.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Three Miami-Area Medical Professionals Each Sentenced to Prison for Roles in $23 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Two Miami-area medical assistants and a physician assistant were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a $23 million Medicare fraud scheme involving HIV infusion therapy.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks About the Department of Justice’s Priorities and Mission

"Boundless, too, are the opportunities now before us. So, today, as we look toward the future, we will take action in four key areas to fulfill one core mission: protecting the American people. These priorities will allow us to build on the record of success that we’ve established, and they will guide our future efforts."




pr

Justice Department Reaches ADA Settlement to Make Law School Application Processes Accessible to Blind Applicants

The Justice Department announced today its participation in two related settlement agreements involving the accessibility of the Law School Admission Council’s online application service, which is used by law schools nationwide for their application processes.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Federal Court Bars Chicago Woman from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

A federal court has permanently barred Rita Augustus from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Justice Department Announces $6.9 Million in Grants to Engage Men in Preventing Crimes Against Women

The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced $6.9 million in awards to 23 projects in the Engaging Men in Preventing Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Grant Program.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Former Humanitarian Workers Each Sentenced to 142 Months in Prison for Defrauding Usaid of $1.9 Million

Two former humanitarian aid workers were each sentenced today to 142 months in prison for defrauding the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) of approximately $1.9 million that was intended to assist impoverished people and towns in Liberia.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Baton Rouge, La., Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Aiding in Preparation of False Tax Returns

Cynthia Peters was sentenced to 27 months in prison based on her plea of guilty to one count of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false income tax return.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Oakland, California, Patient Recruiter Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Causing the Submission of $1.2 Million in False Power Wheelchair Claims to Medicare

An Oakland, Calif., woman was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for her role in a scam to bill Medicare for more than $1.2 million in claims for expensive, high-end power wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment (DME) that were not medically necessary.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Lufkin, Texas, Woman Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Involvement in Gang Murders

A Lufkin, Texas, woman was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone to 180 months in prison for her role in a double homicide that took place in Nacogdoches, Texas, in August 2007.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Federal Court Bars Colorado Man from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

A federal court has permanently barred George Thomas Gaines of Aurora, Colo., from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Former U.S. Probation Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights and Sex Abuse Charges

Mark John Walker of Eugene, Ore., pleaded guilty today to charges related to his engaging in sexual contact or aggravated sexual abuse with female offenders who were under his direct supervision as a federal probation officer from 2006 to 2009.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

API Healthcare Corp. Abandons Merger Plans with Kronos Inc. After Justice Department Expresses Antitrust Concerns

API Healthcare Corporation has abandoned its merger plans with Kronos Inc. after the Department of Justice expressed concerns that the acquisition would have reduced competition and increased prices in healthcare-specific workforce management technology.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Stock Promoters Indicted for Conspiracy in Stock Manipulation Scheme

Three stock promoters have been indicted for their roles in a stock manipulation scheme that defrauded investors.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

United States Sues Deutsche Bank and Subsidiary MortgageIT for Years of Reckless Lending Practices

The United States has filed a civil mortgage fraud lawsuit against Deutsche Bank AG and its wholly owned subsidiary, MortgageIT Inc.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Pittsburgh Crips Leader Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison on Racketeering Charges

Bryant Mathis, who served in a leadership role as a member of a Pittsburgh Crips street gang, was sentenced today in federal court in Pittsburgh to 20 years in prison on charges of conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

United States Sues to Shut Down Eastern Pennsylvania Tax Preparer

The United States has sued Dorthea Alexander of Leola, Pa., seeking to bar her from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Washington Man Agrees to Order Barring Him from Reproductive Clinic and Surroundings

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered that John C. Kroack must adhere to a 25-foot buffer zone around a Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Clinic in Lynnwood, Wash.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Federal Court Bars North Carolina Man from Promoting Alleged Tax Fraud Scheme

A federal court has permanently barred a North Carolina man from selling an alleged tax fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Seafood Wholesaler Owners Sentenced in Alabama for Selling Falsely Labeled Fish, Smuggling and Misbranding of Seafood Products

Karen L. Blyth and David H. M. Phelps were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Mobile, Ala., to 33 months and 24 months in prison, respectively. The pair was also fined $5,000 each, and barred for three years from working in the seafood industry or owning any seafood related business.



  • OPA Press Releases

pr

Maryland Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Defrauding Cisco Systems Inc.

Iheanyi Frank Chinasa, 39, of Gaithersburg, Md., was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his participation in a scheme to defraud Cisco Systems Inc.



  • OPA Press Releases