ac Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:53:16 EDT Ilkham Fazilov pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy for his role in a criminal enterprise that engaged in numerous criminal activities including forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Issues Guidance Letter to State Courts Regarding Their Obligation to Provide Language Access By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:14:57 EDT The Justice Department today issued a letter to chief justices and administrators of state courts clarifying the obligation of courts that receive federal financial assistance to provide oral interpretation, written translation and other language services to people who are limited English proficient. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Georgia Manufacturer of Food Service Equipment Hardware Pays $3.3 Million Fine for Role in Customer Allocation Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:25:27 EDT A New York corporation, whose principal place of business is Newnan, Ga., was sentenced to pay a $3.3 million criminal fine for conspiring to allocate customers in the food service equipment hardware market, including walk-in refrigeration equipment. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Cheese Manufacturer Sorrento Lactalis to Pay U.S. $315,000 for Exceeding Discharge Levels into Idaho’s Mason Creek By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:15:16 EDT Cheese manufacturer Sorrento Lactalis Inc. will pay the United States a $315,000 penalty for excess discharges in violation of its wastewater permit levels, according to an agreement between the company. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Barclays Bank PLC Agrees to Forfeit $298 Million in Connection with Violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:15:29 EDT Barclays Bank PLC, a United Kingdom corporation headquartered in London, has agreed to forfeit $298 million to the United States and to the New York County District Attorney’s Office in connection with violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:14:36 EDT Andrew Cole pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy and fraud in foreign labor contracting charges arising from his role in a criminal enterprise that engaged in numerous criminal activities, including forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Two Defendants Sentenced to Prison in International Child Pornography Conspiracy Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:24:02 EDT Two defendants were sentenced today to prison in connection with a series of superseding indictments charging 26 individuals for their participation in an online child pornography conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac DEA Heads First-ever Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-back Day By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:04:40 EDT The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and government, community, public health and law enforcement partners today announced a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Los Angeles Men Arrested for Clean Air Act Asbestos Worker Protection Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:08:53 EDT Charles Yi and John Bostick were arrested Wednesday for violations of the Clean Air Act’s asbestos work practice standards committed during the renovation of a 204-unit apartment building in Winnetka, Calif., in January through February of 2006. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Statement on Accused Arms Trafficker Viktor Bout by Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:34:31 EDT “We are extremely pleased that the Appeals Court in Thailand has granted the extradition of Viktor Bout to the United States on charges of conspiring to sell weapons to a terrorist organization for use in killing Americans," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Grindler. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Natchez, Mississippi, Police Officers Indicted for Civil Rights Offenses, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft and Fraud, and False Statements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:07:13 EDT A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Natchez, Miss., Police Department Officers Elvis Prater, 35, and Dewayne Johnson, 32, with civil rights offenses and other offenses related to the beating of two men in custody, the theft of an arrestee’s credit and debit cards, and the officers’ false statements to federal investigators. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Two Individuals Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Traffic in Counterfeit Slot Machines and Computer Programs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:06:13 EDT Rodolfo Rodriguez Cabrera, 43, a Cuban national, and Henry Mantilla, 35, of Cape Coral, Fla., were sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Philip M. Pro in Las Vegas to two years in prison each for conspiring to produce and sell counterfeit International Game Technology (IGT) video gaming machines, commonly known as slot machines, and counterfeit IGT computer programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:45:59 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it will monitor the primary elections on Aug. 24, 2010, in Apache and Navajo Counties, Ariz., to ensure compliance with the minority language requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Miami Contractor Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:36:43 EDT Victor Manuel Amaya pleaded guilty this morning to one count of willfully filing a false tax return before U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Two Uzbek Men and One Moldovan Man Plead Guilty to Charges for Their Involvement in a Racketeering Enterprise That Engaged in Forced Labor By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:59:11 EDT Viorel Simon, Nodirbek Abdoollayev and Bakhrom Ikramov have all pleaded guilty to charges related to their roles in a criminal enterprise that engaged in numerous criminal activities including forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Texas Chemical Plant to Pay Nearly $1.5 Million to Resolve Violations in the Transferring of Acid Waste By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:16:58 EDT Air Products LLC has agreed to pay $1.485 million in civil penalties to resolve hazardous waste mismanagement violations at its Pasadena, Texas, chemical manufacturing facility. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Former Airline Executives Indicted in Conspiracy to Fix Fares on Flights Between the United States and the Republic of Korea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:34:34 EDT A Brooklyn, N.Y., grand jury returned an indictment today against two former executives of Asiana Airlines, Inc. for participating in a conspiracy to fix economy class airfares paid by passengers for travel from the United States to the Republic of Korea. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Partner at Major International Accounting Firm Convicted of Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:40:02 EDT A jury in U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J., has returned a guilty verdict against Stephen A. Favato, a resident of Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., and a partner in BDO Seidman LLP’s Woodbridge, N.J., office. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Employee of Federal Contractor Charged with Disclosing National Defense Information to National News Reporter By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:18:25 EDT A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia has returned an indictment charging Stephen Jin-Woo Kim with unlawfully disclosing national defense information to a reporter for a national news organization and making false statements to the FBI. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Pakistani Taliban Leader Charged in Terrorism Conspiracy Resulting in Murder of Seven Americans in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:36:59 EDT Hakimullah Mehsud, the self-proclaimed emir of the Pakistani Taliban, has been charged by criminal complaint for his alleged involvement in the murder of seven American citizens on Dec. 30, 2009, at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Former Senior Employee With U.S. Military Contractor Pleads Guilty To Bribery Scheme Related To Contracts In Support Of Iraq War By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:33:21 EDT A former senior employee of a U.S. military contractor pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to pay $360,000 in bribes to U.S. Army contracting officials stationed at a U.S. military base in Kuwait, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Latin Kings Leader Sentenced to 228 Months in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 13:41:10 EDT U.S. District Court Judge Alexander Williams Jr. sentenced Andres Echevarria, aka “B-Boy” and “King B-Boy,” 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., today to 228 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, in connection with his gang activities as a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Former U.S. Army Contracting Official Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to the U.S. Army By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:55:07 EDT A former U.S. Army contracting official based at Fort Carson, Colo., pleaded guilty to submitting a false statement to the U.S. Army. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Six People Charged in Human Trafficking Conspiracy for Exploiting 400 Thai Farm Workers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 16:24:40 EDT A federal grand jury in Honolulu indicted Mordechai Orian, an Israeli national; Pranee Tubchumpol, Shane Germann and Sam Wongsesanit of Global Horizons Manpower Inc., located in Los Angeles; and Thai labor recruiters Ratawan Chunharutai and Podjanee Sinchai for engaging in a conspiracy to commit forced labor and document servitude. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Cisco Systems and Westcon Group North America Pay $48 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 16:18:06 EDT Cisco Systems and Westcon Group North America (formerly d.b.a. Comstor) have agreed to pay the United States $48 million to settle claims that they made misrepresentations to the General Services Administration (GSA) and other federal agencies in violation of the False Claims Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Eastman, Georgia, Public Housing Authority Regarding Race Discrimination in Housing Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 17:20:40 EDT The Justice Department today announced that the Housing Authority for the city of Eastman, Ga., (EHA) has agreed to pay up to $320,000 to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discriminating against applicants for housing and tenants based on race. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Former Agent of Financial Products and Services Company Pleads Guilty for Role in Fraud Conspiracies Involving Proceeds of Municipal Bonds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 8 Sep 2010 18:00:26 EDT A former agent of a financial products and services company pleaded guilty today for his participation in fraud conspiracies related to contracts for the investment of municipal bond proceeds and other municipal finance contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Former Employee of a National Bank Pleads Guilty for Role in Bid-rigging and Fraud Conspiracies Involving Proceeds of Municipal Bonds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 14:13:34 EDT A former employee of a national bank pleaded guilty today for his participation in bid-rigging and fraud conspiracies related to contracts for the investment of municipal bond proceeds and other municipal finance contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department and McNeese State University Reach Settlement to Ensure Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 17:17:01 EDT The Justice Department today announced a comprehensive settlement agreement with McNeese State University and the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Hawaiian County Agrees to Pay Restitution and Modify Operations to Resolve Endangered Species Act & Migratory Bird Treaty Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:11:04 EDT The county of Kauai, Hawaii, has entered into a plea agreement to resolve alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Reaches Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in Wisconsin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:00:48 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with Wisconsin officials to help ensure that military service members and U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac MS-13 Gang Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison for Racketeering Offenses Including the Murder of a Witness By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:07:00 EDT Juan Carlos Moreira, aka “Stokey” and “Stocky,” was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Deborah K. Chasanow to life in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as MS-13, conspiring to and committing murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Drug Maker Forest Pleads Guilty; To Pay More Than $313 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges and False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:24:41 EDT Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. has agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to obstruction of justice, the distribution of Levothroid, which at the time was an unapproved new drug, and the illegal promotion of Celexa for use in treating children and adolescents suffering from depression. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Miami Home Health Patient Recruiter Convicted of Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:34:21 EDT Antonio Ochoa, a patient recruiter for Miami home health agencies, was convicted today by a federal jury in Miami of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and of three counts of soliciting and receiving kickbacks and bribes, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Reaches Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in Alaska By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:41:47 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with Alaska officials to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. The agreement was necessary to ensure Alaska’s compliance with the 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE Act) Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Massachusetts Couple Sentenced to Prison for Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EDT Frederick Allen and Kimberlee Allen, both of Harwich, Mass., were sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy, tax evasion and failure to file tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Former Guatemalan Special Forces Soldier Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Making False Statements on Naturalization Forms Regarding 1982 Massacre of Guatemalan Villagers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:10:33 EDT Gilberto Jordan, a former Guatemalan special forces soldier, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch in the Southern District of Florida to 10 years in prison for unlawfully procuring his U.S. citizenship by lying about his participation in a 1982 massacre at a Guatemalan village known as Dos Erres. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Federal Court Bars Missouri Lawyer from Promoting Individual Retirement Account Tax Arrangements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:07:13 EDT A federal judge in St. Louis has permanently barred a Missouri attorney and his law firm from promoting any Individual Retirement Account-based arrangement. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Florida Couple Pleads Guilty to Forced Labor Conspiracy of 39 Filipino Guest Workers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:37:43 EDT Sophia Manuel and Alfonso Baldonado Jr., owners of Quality Staffing Services Corporation, a labor contracting service, pleaded guilty to conspiring to hold 39 Filipino nationals in compelled service in country clubs and hotels in Southeast Florida. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Four Indicted for MS-13 Gang Activities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:28:42 EDT Three alleged members and associates of the MS-13 gang have been indicted for various violent crimes stemming from a home invasion last year in the District of Columbia in which several persons were held at gunpoint. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Reaches Agreements to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters from Colorado, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:11:10 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached agreements with Colorado, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii officials to help ensure that military service members and U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010 federal general election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Issues Report on 10th Anniversary of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:06:48 EDT The Justice Department today issued a report marking the 10th anniversary of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), showing that the law has had a positive impact on protecting the religious freedom of a wide range of faith groups, and had a particularly significant impact protecting the religious freedom of minorities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Martinair Airline Executive Indicted in Conspiracy to Fix Surcharge Rates on Air Cargo Shipments By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:21:31 EDT An Atlanta grand jury returned an indictment today against an executive of Martinair Holland N.V. for participating in a conspiracy to fix and coordinate certain surcharges on air cargo shipments to and from the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac East Aurora, N.Y., Chiropractor Sentenced to 12 Months in Prison for Failing to File Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:16:55 EDT A federal judge in Buffalo, N.Y., has sentenced John Weisberg to 12 months in prison for failing to file tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac U.S. Reaches Agreements with Kings Mountain, N.C., and Sandy Springs, Ga., to Terminate Coverage from Preclearance of the Voting Rights Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:25:10 EDT The Justice Department announced that it reached agreements this week with the city of Kings Mountain, N.C., and the city of Sandy Springs, Ga., in the form of consent decrees filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Attorney General Holder Speaks at Safe Shores - the DC Children's Advocacy Center By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:07:47 EDT Today, Safe Shores is a model of public-private collaboration at its best, an example for Child Advocacy Centers across – and beyond – the country, and a critical partner in the work of seeking and administering justice. Full Article Speech
ac Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler at a Retirement Ceremony Honoring Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division John C. Keeney By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:53:34 EDT "Mr. Keeney’s advice is always sound, and to the point because it is built upon decades of experience, in fact, nearly six decades of service, under 12 Presidents and 23 Attorneys General," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Grindler. Full Article Speech
ac Laurence Tribe, Senior Counselor for Access to Justice, Speaks at the American College of Trial Lawyers 2010 Annual Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 18:00:20 EST "It’s a special honor for me to address the American College of Trial Lawyers, and to share the stage today with such impressive and distinguished speakers as Justice Cromwell, Justice Kirby, Judge Sparks, and Professor Coffee." Full Article Speech
ac Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Royston, Ga., Public Housing Authority Regarding Race Discrimination in Housing Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:22:04 EDT The Justice Department today announced that the Housing Authority for the city of Royston, Ga., (RHA) has agreed to pay up to $270,000 to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discriminating against applicants for housing and tenants based on race. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ac Justice Department Signs Agreements with the City of Muskegon, Mich., and the City of Cheyenne, Wyo., to Ensure Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:58:53 EDT The Justice Department today announced settlement agreements with the city of Muskegon, Mich., and the city of Cheyenne, Wyo., to improve access to public programs and facilities for persons with disabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases