and Department Issues FOIA Annual Report in More Accessible Format as Part of the President’s Initiative on Transparency and Open Government By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 11:01:42 EST As a result of the new format, members of the public, including public interest organizations, scholars, and the media, will be able to more easily track FOIA performance. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Taiwan LCD Producer Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $220 Million Fine for Participating in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 16:20:54 EST Companies directly affected by the LCD price-fixing conspiracy are some of the largest computer and television manufacturers in the world, including Apple, Dell and HP. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Georgia Couple Charged with Human Trafficking and Immigration Violations for Exploiting Woman from Swaziland By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 17:55:09 EST A federal grand jury in Atlanta has indicted an Ellenwood, Ga., husband and wife, Juna Gwendolyn Babb, 54, and Michael J. Babb, 53, on charges of conspiracy, forced labor, document servitude, which is confiscating someone’s passport and visa, and harboring an alien for financial gain, the Justice Department announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Police Officer Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:16:39 EST A federal grand jury in Providence, R.I., has indicted an officer with the Woonsocket Police Department, charging him with violating the civil rights of a 16 year-old juvenile by physically assaulting him, as well as obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Joint Study on School Crime and Safety By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:40:59 EST “Eradicating youth violence is a priority of this administration and a priority of both these agencies," said Attorney General Holder and Education Secretary Duncan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Statement of Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli Before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee of Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Entitled "H.r. 1924, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009" By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:55:59 EST "The challenges facing law enforcement in tribal communities are enormous. The basic level of police protection that most Americans take for granted simply does not exist in many parts of Indian Country. We have a duty to change that." Full Article Testimony
and Physical Therapist, Money Launderer and Patient Recruiter Plead Guilty in Connection with Multiple Detroit Health Care Fraud Schemes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:10:53 EST Detroit-area residents Baskaran Thangarasan, Sandeep Aggarwal and Wayne Smith pleaded guilty this week for their roles in connection with several Detroit-area health care fraud schemes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Attorney General Eric Holder at the Installation Ceremony for Assistant Attorneys General Laurie Robinson and Ronald Weich By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:54:31 EST "Laurie and Ron are not only valued colleagues, they are leaders in the Department and throughout this Administration," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
and Presidential Task Force on Controlled Unclassified Information Releases Report and Recommendations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:31:49 EST Attorney General Holder and Secretary Janet Napolitano announced two major steps in their efforts to implement reforms to enhance information sharing among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies and safeguard sensitive information used by the government—designed to expand joint capabilities to protect the United States from terrorist activity, violent crime and other threats to the homeland. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Two Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, Men and Four Police Officers Indicted for Hate Crime and Related Corruption By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:39:01 EST A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments arising out of a fatal racially motivated beating and related police corruption in Shenandoah, Pa. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Medicare Fraud Strike Force Expands Operations into Brooklyn, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; and Baton Rouge, La. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:16:05 EST Thirty people have been charged in three cities for their alleged roles in schemes to submit more than $61 million in false Medicare claims as part of the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Credit Suisse Agrees to Forfeit $536 Million in Connection with Violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and New York State Law By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:13:03 EST The forfeiture is the largest ever entered against an entity for IEEPA violations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Texas Man Sentenced to 292 Months in Prison for Advertising and Possessing Child Pornography By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:54:49 EST Mark Edwin Cairnes, 51, was sentenced today to 292 months in prison and lifetime supervised release following his prison term for advertising and possessing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and United States Transfers 12 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland Region By www.justice.gov Published On :: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:33:55 EST These transfers were carried out under individual arrangements between the United States and relevant foreign authorities to ensure the transfers took place under appropriate security measures. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo Sentenced for Attempted Extortion and Bribery By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:44:23 EST Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe in Albany, N.Y. to 27 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for attempted extortion and bribery, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge John F. Pikus of the FBI’s Albany office announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Ohio Attorney Charged with Tax Fraud, Obstruction of Justice for Scheme to Hide Income and Assets Through Trusts and in Foreign Bank Account By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:04:05 EST Aristotle R. Matsa, an attorney in Columbus, Ohio, was charged with tax offenses, obstruction of justice and additional charges in a 20-count indictment unsealed today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Major International Hacker Pleads Guilty for Massive Attack on U.S. Retail and Banking Networks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:55:29 EST Albert Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to the payment card networks operated by, among others, Heartland Payment Systems, 7-Eleven and Hannaford Brothers Co. Inc. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Two Individuals Charged with Murder and Other Offenses Related to Shooting Death of Two Afghan Nationals in Kabul, Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:08:33 EST Justin Cannon, 27, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Christopher Drotleff, 29, of Virginia Beach, Va., have been charged with crimes including second-degree murder, attempted murder and firearms offenses while working as contractors for the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan. Cannon and Drotleff were charged under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging New Jersey’s Written Civil Service Examination for Promotion to Police Sergeant Discriminates Against African-Americans and Hispanics By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:36:22 EST The Department filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey and the New Jersey Civil Service Commission alleging a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against African-Americans and Hispanics, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Florida Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Extortion, Making Interstate Threats, Computer Fraud and Identity Theft By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:38:41 EST A Florida man has been sentenced to 90 months in prison for making e-mail and telephone threats, including threats intended to cause a candidate for statewide office in Florida to drop out of an election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and U.S. Army Major Charged with Smuggling Cash from Iraq and Making False Statements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:31:15 EST U.S. Army Major Charles E. Sublett, 46, of Huntsville, Ala., was arrested today on charges of bulk cash smuggling and making false statements to a federal agency. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Member of the Cherokee Nation Sentenced to Prison for Transporting and Selling Bear Parts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:31:09 EST Clement Calhoun, a member of the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in the Western District of North Carolina, to six months in prison for illegally transporting and selling 51 bear gall bladders. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden Announces Francey Hakes as National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:32:59 EST The national coordinator is charged with formulating and implementing a national strategy to combat child exploitation, and with submitting the strategy and relevant reports to Congress. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Thirteen Detroit-Area Individuals Arrested and Charged for $14.5 Million Medicare Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:45:32 EST Thirteen Detroit-area residents were arrested today by federal agents from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and FBI in connection with an alleged home health care scheme to defraud the Medicare program of more than $14.5 million. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Tahawwur Rana and David Headley Indicted for Alleged Roles in India and Denmark Terrorism Conspiracies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:40:07 EST A federal grand jury today returned a superseding indictment adding three defendants, including Tahawwur Rana, to charges filed last month against David Coleman Headley, alleging that they and others participated in conspiracies involving a planned terrorist attack against a Danish newspaper and the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, that killed approximately 164 people, including six Americans. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Andrew Goldsmith Appointed as National Coordinator of Criminal Discovery Initiatives By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:15:57 EST The position was established as part of the Department’s ongoing efforts, initiated last year at the direction of the Attorney General, to review and improve its criminal discovery and case management policies and procedures. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Twenty-Two Executives and Employees of Military and Law Enforcement Products Companies Charged in Foreign Bribery Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:51:54 EST The 16 indictments unsealed today represent the largest single investigation and prosecution against individuals in the history of DOJ’s enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and CEO of Seafood Importer Pleads Guilty to Importing and Selling Falsely Labeled Fish from Vietnam By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:09:34 EST The chief executive officer of Sterling Seafood Corporation located in Cresskill, N.J., pleaded guilty to importing falsely labeled fish from Vietnam and evading over $60 million in federal tariffs, as well as selling over $500,000 in similarly misbranded fish purchased from another importer in the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Daily Gazette Company and MediaNews Group Inc. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:03:12 EST "Today’s settlement resolves the department’s antitrust concerns and allows readers to continue to have a choice between two independent local daily newspapers–the Charleston Gazette and the Charleston Daily Mail." Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Columbus Accountant and Realtor Plead Guilty to Mortgage Fraud & Obstruction of Justice Conspiracies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:33:25 EST Dennis G. Sartain of Hilliard, Ohio; and Bonnie Helt, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit mortgage fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Smithfield Foods and Premium Standard Farms Charged with Illegal Premerger Coordination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:36:55 EST The settlement requires the companies to pay a total of $900,000 in civil penalties for violating premerger waiting period requirements. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Former U.S. Army Officer Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Bribery and Weapons Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:47:48 EST Michael Wheeler, a former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, was sentenced late yesterday to 42 months in prison for his participation in a wide-ranging bribery conspiracy involving the U.S. government, the Republic of Iraq and the Coalition Provisional Authority - South Central Region (CPA-SC) in Al-Hillah, Iraq. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Former Los Angeles Medical Center Owners Agree to $10 Million Consent Judgment for Medicare and Medi-Cal Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:47:04 EST The United States has obtained a $10 million consent judgment against Los Angeles businessman Robert Bourseau and Dr. Rudra Sabaratnam for a Medicare and Medi-Cal fraud scheme arising from their former ownership of the Los Angeles City of Angels Medical Center. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and United States Transfers Guantanamo Bay Detainee to Switzerland By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:39:12 EST The Swiss Government, with the support of the Canton of Geneva, accepted an Uzbek national for resettlement and his transfer was carried out according to arrangements between the governments of the United States and Switzerland. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Solicitation of a Kickback in Connection with a Government Contract in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:31:47 EST Ryan Scott McMonigle, of Ponca City, Okla., pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme to solicit a kickback in connection with the award of a private security services subcontract to protect U.S. government personnel and contractors in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Six Members of MS-13 Gang Convicted of Racketeering, Murder, Drug and Firearms Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:54:40 EST Six members of a racketeering enterprise, called La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, were convicted today by a jury in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, N.C., of criminal charges that include racketeering, murder, attempted murder, assault, cocaine trafficking and numerous related federal firearms offenses Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Los Angeles Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Submitting Nearly $1 Million in False and Fraudulent Claims to Medicare By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:00:52 EST The owner and operator of a Los Angeles durable medical equipment (DME) company pleaded guilty today to submitting nearly $1 million in false claims to Medicare. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Texas Company Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Environmental Crime By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:54:03 EST Economy Cash & Carry Inc., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in El Paso, Texas, to a criminal violation of the Plant Protection Act related to the falsification of a required certificate stamp. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Three Indicted for False Labeling, Smuggling and Misbranding of Seafood Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:49:56 EST A federal grand jury in Mobile, Ala., today returned a 28-count indictment against three individuals for conspiring to falsely label, smuggle and misbrand more than 325,000 pounds of seafood in order to avoid paying tariffs and defraud customers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Texas Attorney Convicted for Role in Pump-and-dump Stock Manipulation Schemes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:26:19 EST Phillip Windom Offill Jr., 51, of Dallas, was indicted on March 12, 2009, and today was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit registration violations, securities fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and U.S./EU Agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Enter into Force By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:24:18 EST New agreements regarding extradition and mutual legal assistance between the European Union (EU) and the United States enter into force today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Six Individuals with Alleged Ties to Aryan Brotherhood Arrested and Charged with Murder of Two People in Nacogdoches County, Texas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:02:42 EST Six alleged members or associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) have been indicted and arrested for their alleged roles in the 2007 murder of two people in Nacogdoches County, Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:29:46 EST "We need this Civil Rights Museum so that we remember our history, however painful it may be," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
and Arlington, Texas, Couple Convicted of Forced Labor and Other Crimes for Holding Nigerian Woman in Domestic Servitude By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:13:50 EST A federal jury has convicted an Arlington, Texas, husband and wife, Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji, of engaging in a nine-year scheme to compel the labor of a Nigerian victim as their domestic servant. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Serial Sex Offender Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison on Sex Tourism and Failure to Register Charges in Delaware By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:39:48 EST Thomas S. Pendleton, 66, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Gregory M. Sleet in Wilmington, Del., to the statutory maximum of 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for traveling to Germany to have sex with a minor. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Resident of India Pleads Guilty in International Online Brokerage “Hack, Pump and Dump” Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:02:30 EST Jaisankar Marimuthu, a native of Chennai, India, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, and to one count of aggravated identity theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Canadian Firm and U.S. Subsidiary to Pay $4 Million to Settle Lawsuit in Connection with Sale of Defective Bullet-Proof Vests By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:51:54 EST Lincoln Fabrics Ltd., a Canadian weaver of ballistic fabrics, and its American subsidiary, have agreed to pay the United States $4 million to settle the United States’ lawsuit against Lincoln for violations of the False Claims Act in connection with their role in the weaving of Zylon fabric used in the manufacture and sale of defective Zylon bullet-proof vests. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Justice Department Unveils Plan of Action for Consultation and Coordination with Tribes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:09:54 EST The Justice Department’s plan identifies the steps it will take to develop a comprehensive consultation and coordination policy with tribal nations, after robust tribal input. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Justice Department Settles Fair Housing Lawsuit in Nebraska Against the Latvian Tower Condominium Association and Its Former President By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:10:30 EST The Civil Rights Division reached an agreement with the Latvian Tower Condominium Association Inc. and its former president, Karl Tegtmeyer, to settle allegations of discrimination against families with children. Full Article OPA Press Releases
and Former U.S. Military Contractor Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme Related to Defense Department Contracts in Support of Iraqi War By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:11:31 EST Former military contractor Terry Hall, 43, of Snellville, Ga., pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to pay more than $3 million in bribes to U.S. Army contracting officials stationed at Camp Arifjan, an Army base in Kuwait, and to money laundering conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases