ni Former English Tutor Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children in China and the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 12:39:19 EST Hector Orjuela Jr., 47, was sentenced today to serve 30 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for molesting children under the age of 12 and producing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Two Ocean Shipping Companies to Pay $3.4 Million to Settle Claims of Price Fixing Government Cargo Transportation Contracts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 09:45:36 EST Sea Star Line LLC and Horizon Lines LLC have agreed to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by fixing the price of government cargo transportation contracts between the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Justice Department Sues to Stop California Tax Return Preparers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 18:44:49 EST The United States filed a civil complaint asking a federal court in Fresno, Calif., to enjoin Ken Mendoza and Alice Mendoza from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni French Citizen Pleads Guilty to Obstructing Criminal Investigation into Alleged Bribes Paid to Win Mining Rights in the Republic of Guinea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:07:36 EDT Frederic Cilins, 51, a French citizen, pleaded guilty today in the Southern District of New York to obstructing a federal criminal investigation into whether a mining company paid bribes to win lucrative mining rights in the Republic of Guinea. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Murder of United States Correctional Officer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:59:37 EDT A federal inmate pleaded guilty today for the murder of United States Correctional Officer Jose Rivera, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner for the Eastern District of California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Two Northern California Real Estate Investors Charged with Bid Rigging at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:51:01 EDT Two Northern California real estate investors pleaded guilty for their roles in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Northern California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Third Defendant Pleads Guilty to Racially-Motivated Assault on White Man and African-American Woman in California By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:21:10 EDT Anthony Merrell Tyler, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court today to violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act for his role in a 2011 racially motivated attack on a white man and an African-American woman in Marysville, Calif. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Dominican National Sentenced to Serve 61 Months in Prison for Trafficking Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:47:32 EDT Wilfredo Blanco-Diaz, 40, formerly of Caguas, Puerto Rico, was sentenced to serve 61 months in prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí in the District of Puerto Rico. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Office of Information Policy Director Melanie Ann Pustay Testifies Before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 10:30:14 EDT "As you know, this Sunshine Week we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Attorney General’s FOIA Guidelines. Issued during Sunshine Week on March 19, 2009, those Guidelines address the presumption of openness that the President called for in his FOIA Memorandum, the necessity for agencies to create and maintain an effective system for responding to requests, and the need to improve timeliness and to work to reduce backlogs," said Pustay. Full Article Speech
ni Justice Department Seeks Temporary Restraining Order to Stop Ohio Department of Youth Services from Excessively Secluding Boys with Mental Health Needs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:28:24 EDT Today, the Justice Department sought a federal court order temporarily restraining the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) from unlawfully secluding boys with mental health needs in its juvenile correctional facilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Custom Furniture Builders Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 14:40:02 EDT George Despotopoulos and Steve Tepelidis pleaded guilty to tax evasion today in the District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Army Soldier Sentenced for Facilitating Thefts of Fuel in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:08:57 EDT A U.S. Army soldier was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison for his role in stealing fuel at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Fenty near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Medical Clinic Owner and Other Patient Recruiters Sentenced for Roles in $8 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:42:20 EDT Several patient recruiters, including a medical clinic owner, were sentenced today for their participation in a health care fraud scheme involving Flores Home Health Care Inc., a defunct home health care company. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Medical Clinic Owner Sentenced for Role in Multiple Health Care Fraud Schemes Totaling Over $20 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:48:34 EDT The owner and operator of a Miami medical clinic, Merfi Corp., was sentenced today to serve 108 months in prison for her participation in multiple health care fraud schemes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Ukrainian Businessman Arrested in Austria on U.S. International Corruption Conspiracy Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:25:00 EDT Dmitry Firtash, 48, a Ukrainian businessman, was arrested Wednesday by Austrian authorities in Vienna on a provisional arrest request based on charges filed in the Northern District of Illinois. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Member of FARC Terrorist Organization Pleads Guilty to Hostage-Taking Charges in 2003 Capture of U.S. Citizens By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:26:23 EDT Alexander Beltran Herrera, 37, a commander of the FARC terrorist organization, pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to hostage-taking charges stemming from the 2003 kidnappings of three U.S. citizens in Colombia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Straw Owner of Clinic Sentenced in Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:33:01 EDT A Florida man who had been the straw owner of a physical therapy rehabilitation facility has been sentenced to serve 30 months in prison for his role in a $28.3 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni California Attorney Sentenced to Prison in Scheme to Hide Millions in Secret Swiss Accounts at UBS AG and Pictet & Cie By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:05:16 EDT California attorney Christopher M. Rusch was sentenced to serve 10 months in prison for helping his clients Stephen M. Kerr and Michael Quiel, both businessmen from Phoenix, hide millions of dollars in secret offshore bank accounts at UBS AG and Pictet & Cie in Switzerland, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Marubeni Corporation Agrees to Plead Guilty to Foreign Bribery Charges and to Pay an $88 Million Fine By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 17:00:12 EDT Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese trading company involved in the handling of products and provision of services in a broad range of sectors around the world, including power generation, entered a plea of guilty today for its participation in a scheme to pay bribes to high-ranking government officials in Indonesia to secure a lucrative power project. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Texas Chemical Plant Agrees to Cut Harmful Air Pollution in Overburdened Community By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 11:29:53 EDT The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Flint Hills Resources of Port Arthur has agreed to implement innovative technologies to control harmful air pollution from industrial flares and leaking equipment at the company’s chemical plant in Port Arthur, Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Louisiana Man Sentenced to Prison for Threatening Witness in Federal Trial By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 15:20:15 EDT Anthony Williams, of Baton Rouge, La., was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, the Justice Department, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Southern California Man Found Guilty of Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for Role in $1.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 17:17:28 EDT A Southern California man who ran a durable medical equipment (DME) supply company has been found guilty by a federal jury in Los Angeles for his role in a $1.5 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni California Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Racially Motivated Assault on White Man and African-American Woman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:44:37 EDT Billy James Hammett, 30, of Marysville, Calif., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to serve 87 months in prison for violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in a 2011 racially motivated attack against a white man and an African-American woman in Marysville. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Five Individuals Charged with Conspiring to Fraudulently Obtain Union Job for Organized Crime Underboss By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:35:49 EDT Five men have been charged in the Eastern District of New York with conspiring to defraud the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’ Union (NMDU) and Hudson News newsstands to obtain a union card and employment at Hudson News newsstands for the son of the alleged underboss of the Colombo family. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Sairam Enterprises Inc. for Discriminating Against Disabled Veteran with Service Animal By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:43:42 EDT The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Sairam Enterprises Inc. LLC alleging that it discriminated against Jeffrey Crockett and his family on the basis of disability in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Houston Man Charged with Threatening to Bomb Synagogues By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:48:47 EDT The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced today that a federal grand jury in Houston returned a six count indictment charging Dante Phearse, 33, with calling in bomb threats to two Houston synagogues, a municipal courthouse and a private business. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Delivers Remarks at the Community Relations Service Transgender Law Enforcement Training Launch By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:14:32 EDT The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to recommit ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence that affects far too many transgender Americans. Full Article Speech
ni Associate Attorney General Tony West Delivers Remarks at the Community Relations Service Transgender Law Enforcement Training By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:23:40 EDT This training has been in the works for some time now. For the last several years, the Justice Department at various levels has engaged in a constructive dialogue, animated by common aspirations and common concerns, with LGBT leaders throughout the country. And one of the many ideas we’ve received finds its manifestation in today’s gathering: a transgender law enforcement cultural professionalism training. Full Article Speech
ni Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder on Federal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages in Michigan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 09:28:57 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the status of same-sex marriages performed in the state of Michigan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin Delivers Remarks at the American University Business Law Review 2014 Symposium By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:35:28 EDT The calculus that many businesses make today is similar to the decisions that the mom and pop stores had to make several decades ago: Does the cost of paying out – that is, failing to tell the authorities about cyber attacks – outweigh the costs of potential retaliation? Full Article Speech
ni Six Defendants Indicted in Alleged Conspiracy to Bribe Government Officials in India to Mine Titanium Minerals By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 Apr 2014 11:04:11 EDT A federal indictment returned under seal in June 2013 and unsealed today charges six foreign nationals, including a Ukrainian businessman and a government official in India, with participating in an alleged international racketeering conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Two California Men Indicted for Selling Endangered Black Rhinoceros Horns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 Apr 2014 17:20:04 EDT Edward N. Levine, 63, of Mill Valley, Calif., and Lumsden W. Quan, 46, of San Francisco, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas today for the illegal sale of two horns from an endangered black rhinoceros. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni United States Announces $5.15 Billion Settlement of Litigation Against Subsidiaries of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to Remedy Fraudulent Conveyance Designed to Evade Environmental Liabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 Apr 2014 13:05:32 EDT The United States has entered into a settlement agreement with the Kerr-McGee Corporation and certain of its affiliates (“New Kerr-McGee”), and their parent Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, in a fraudulent conveyance case brought by the United States and co-plaintiff Anadarko Litigation Trust (the “Trust”) in the bankruptcy of Tronox Inc. and its subsidiaries (Tronox), announced Deputy Attorney General James Cole, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resource Division Robert G. Dreher, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator Cynthia Giles. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Associate Attorney General Tony West Delivers Remarks at the Strengthening the Relationship Between Law Enforcement and Communities of Color Forum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 Apr 2014 09:48:56 EDT I also come to this discussion as my father's son. He was a man born and raised deep in the Jim Crow south. And when the time came for his eldest child and only son to take up driving lessons, dad was my teacher, imparting all the familiar lessons of keeping my eyes on the road and signaling before I turned. Full Article Speech
ni Justice Department Files Lawsuit to Stop Pennsylvania Man from Preparing Federal Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 16:02:59 EDT The United States filed a civil lawsuit today in Pittsburgh federal court to permanently bar Larry E. Snow, of Seward, Pa., from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Karol V. Mason Delivers Remarks at the National African American Drug Policy Coalition 10th Anniversary Summit Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 10:44:28 EDT I believe that the only real, sustainable choice – the only safe and humane option – is the one that broadens opportunity and widens the path to success. Each of you is helping to lead us in that direction, and we are marching forward with you. And I am optimistic that we will continue to see an America that is safer, healthier, and more just. Full Article Speech
ni California-Based Masonry Companies Pay Nearly $1.9 Million to Settle Claims of Misrepresenting Disadvantaged Small Business Status in Connection with Military Contracts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 12:01:06 EDT Five California-based masonry subcontractors and two individuals paid the government nearly $1.9 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by misrepresenting their disadvantaged small business status in connection with military construction contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni United States Sues Oyster Bay, N.Y., for Housing Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 16:25:57 EDT Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch for the Eastern District of New York announced today that the United States has filed a complaint against the Town of Oyster Bay in Long Island, N.Y., for violating the Fair Housing Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Brooklyn Fish Processors Ordered to Comply with Sanitation Remedies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 17:08:12 EDT After a bench trial handled by the Department of Justice, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has entered an injunction against New York City Fish Inc., Maxim Kutsyk, Pavel Roytkov, Leonid Staroseletesky and Steven Koyfman under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Nine Charged in Conspiracy to Steal Millions of Dollars Using “Zeus” Malware By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 10:35:16 EDT Nine alleged members of a wide-ranging racketeering enterprise and conspiracy who infected thousands of business computers with malicious software known as “Zeus” have been charged in an indictment unsealed today in Lincoln, Neb. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Utah Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Threatening Interracial Family By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:21:01 EDT An information was filed charging Robert Keller, 70, with interfering with the housing rights of three members of an interracial family because of the family members’ races and because the family members were living in Hurricane, Utah. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Justice Department Settles Sex Discrimination Lawsuit Against California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:15:15 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has entered into a settlement agreement that, if approved by the court, will resolve allegations that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation discriminated against an employee because of his sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Armenian Power Gang Leaders Convicted for Their Role in Racketeering Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:23:41 EDT Two leaders of the Armenian Power gang were found guilty today by a federal jury in Los Angeles for their participation in a racketeering conspiracy that included extortion, bank fraud targeting elderly bank customers and a sophisticated credit and debit card skimming scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at an Interfaith Service of Unity and Hope Honoring the Victims of Last Week’s Tragic Shootings By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:44:22 EDT A few days ago, many of you observed the beginning of Passover, marking the start of a long and difficult journey from tyranny and persecution toward freedom in the Promised Land. Today, this community begins its own journey of healing. And although the road ahead will not be easy, I promise you that I, and millions of others throughout our nation, will be here to walk alongside you – not only today, but always. We will never stop fighting for justice. And we will never forget the names, or the stories, of those we lost. Full Article Speech
ni Department of Justice Announces University Tour by Administration Officials to Raise Awareness of Campus Sexual Assault By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:46:29 EDT In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Department of Justice announced a nationwide university tour by top administration officials to raise awareness of campus sexual assault. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Announcing New Clemency Initiative, Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Details Broad New Criteria for Applicants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:01:33 EDT As part of the Justice Department’s new clemency initiative, Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole announced six criteria the department will consider when reviewing and expediting clemency applications from federal inmates. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Pennsylvania Firm and Chief Officer Charged with Shipping Machinery to Iran in Violation of U.S. Export License Requirements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:56:51 EDT A criminal information has been filed against a Pennsylvania firm and its chief officer, charging them with conspiracy to evade export reporting requirements and with attempting to smuggle to Iran a lathe machine in violation of U.S. export regulations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Amedisys Home Health Companies Agree to Pay $150 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:05:53 EDT Amedisys Inc. and its affiliates (Amedisys) have agreed to pay $150 million to the federal government to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false home healthcare billings to the Medicare program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ni Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole at the Press Conference Announcing the Clemency Initiative By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:10:24 EDT We are launching this clemency initiative in order to quickly and effectively identify appropriate candidates, candidates who have a clean prison record, do not present a threat to public safety, and were sentenced under out-of-date laws that have since been changed, and are no longer seen as appropriate. Full Article Speech
ni Former Marine Hose Executive Who Was Extradited to United States Pleads Guilty for Participating in Worldwide Bid-Rigging Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:08:39 EDT A former executive of a rubber hose manufacturer, who was extradited from Germany in early April 2014, today pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve two years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to rig bids, fix prices and allocate market shares of marine hose sold in the United States and elsewhere. Full Article OPA Press Releases