ed 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
ed 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
ed 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
ed 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
ed 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
ed AU Optronics Corporation Executive Convicted for Role in LCD Price-fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:36:24 EST Following a three-week trial, a federal jury in San Francisco today convicted an executive of the largest Taiwan liquid crystal display (LCD) producer for his participation in a worldwide conspiracy to fix the prices of thin-film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels sold worldwide. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Former Heber City, Utah Resident Convicted of Filing False Claims for Tax Refunds Totaling More Than $2.2 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:57:10 EST April J. Rampton, 41, formerly of Heber City, Utah, was convicted yesterday in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City of nine counts of filing false claims for income tax refunds, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Rampton, who was indicted on Sept. 14, 2011, was released following the verdict. She is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Dee Benson on Feb. 27, 2013. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on six similar counts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Owner of Brooklyn, N.Y., Clinic Pleads Guilty in Connection with $71 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:22:30 EST The owner and manager of a Brooklyn, N.Y., health care clinic pleaded guilty today in federal court for her role in a $71 million Medicare fraud and money laundering scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Individual Arrested in Connection with Costa Rica-based Business Opportunity Fraud Ventures By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:35:02 EST A dual United States and Costa Rican citizen charged in connection with the operation of a series of fraudulent business opportunities was arrested today in Chicago following his indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami on Nov. 29, 2011, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today. Sean Rosales was arrested based on charges that he and his co-conspirators purported to sell beverage and greeting card business opportunities, including assistance in establishing, maintaining and operating such businesses. The charges in the indictment form part of the government’s continued nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Manalapan, N.J., Woman Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Girl, Streaming Assault Live Over the Internet By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:16:17 EST A New Jersey woman was sentenced today to serve 30 years in prison for producing child pornography through the sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old girl on more than one occasion and streaming footage of a sexual assault over the Internet. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Five Foreign Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Role in Trafficking Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:06:25 EST Five foreign nationals were sentenced to prison for their respective roles in trafficking the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Physical Therapy Assistant Pleads Guilty in Connection with Detroit Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:07:34 EST Detroit-area resident Ankit Patel pleaded guilty today for his role in a $13.8 million home health care fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Amgen Inc. Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge in Brooklyn, NY.; Pays $762 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability and False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:43:51 EST Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson, Jr. accepted a guilty plea by American biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. (Amgen) for illegally introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce. The plea is part of a global settlement with the United States in which Amgen agreed to pay $762 million to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from its sale and promotion of certain drugs. The settlement represents the single largest criminal and civil False Claims Act settlement involving a biotechnology company in U.S. history. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Justice Department Reaches Settlement with New York Manufacturer to Resolve Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:47:13 EST The Justice Department announced today that it reached a settlement agreement with R-Tronics LLC, a company based in Rome, N.Y., which manufactures custom and prototype cables, wire harnesses and electro-mechanical assemblies. The agreement resolves allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by limiting its hiring practices to U.S. citizens. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Las Vegas Real Estate Agent Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Her Role in Mortgage Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:11:15 EST A Las Vegas real estate agent was sentenced today to serve 70 months in prison for her participation in a mortgage fraud scheme that netted more than $10 million in fraudulent mortgage loans. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed New Mexico Probation Officer Indicted on Sexual Assault Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:19:02 EST A federal grand jury in Albuquerque, N.M., has indicted Gordon Chavez, 35, a probation officer with the New Mexico Corrections Department on charges related to the sexual assault of a probationer whom he supervised. The New Mexico Corrections Department placed Chavez on administrative leave following his arrest on Dec. 4, 2012. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Justice Department Settles Immigration-Based Discrimination Claim Against New York Hospital By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:21:37 EST The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with Holliswood Hospital, a hospital in Queens, N.Y., resolving claims that the hospital violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), when it required newly hired lawful permanent residents to provide more or different documents during the Form I-9 employment eligibility verification process. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Religiously Motivated Attack on Toledo-Area Mosque By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:20:06 EST An Indiana man faces a likely sentence of 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to hate crimes stemming from the arson of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Owner of Pavement Painting Business Sentenced in Alaska for Illegally Disposing Hazardous Waste By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:49:05 EST The former owner of a road and parking lot painting and striping business in Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced today for illegally disposing of more than 200,000 pounds of highly flammable hazardous waste in Anchorage. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Ohio-Based Wheelchair Manufacturer Agrees to Consent Decree to Resolve Allegations of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:01:23 EST The Justice Department, at the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), today filed a complaint and a proposed consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against Invacare Corp., Gerald B. Blouch and Ronald J. Clines. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Clinical Director for Miami-based Health Care Clinic Sentenced to Prison for Role in $50 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:43:49 EST A former clinical director for Biscayne Milieu, a Miami-based mental-health clinic, was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for his participation in a Medicare fraud scheme involving the submission of more than $50 million in fraudulent billings to Medicare. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Justice Department Announces Agreement with the State of New Hampshire on Bailout of Covered Jurisdictions Under the Voting Rights Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:17:33 EST The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with the State of New Hampshire that will allow for all 10 of the towns in that state that are covered jurisdictions under the special provisions of the Voting Rights Act to bail out from coverage by these provisions. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against New Mexico-Based Producer of Peanut Butter Products and Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:57:34 EST U.S. District Court Judge William P. Johnson entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Sunland Inc., a Portales, N.M.-based producer of peanut butter, and Jimmie D. Shearer, president and chief executive officer of Sunland, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Illinois-based Hardware Distributor W.W. Grainger Pays US $70 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:37:35 EST W.W. Grainger Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $70 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims under contracts with the General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Postal Services (USPS), the Department of Justice announced today. Grainger is a national hardware distributor headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Department Reaches Settlement with Custer County and the State of Idaho for Cooperation Over Roads on Federal Land By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:39:38 EST The Department of Justice and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced today – Dec. 28, 2012 – a settlement of the United States’ federal court lawsuit against Custer County and the State of Idaho concerning county action on roads and trails on federal land in Custer County. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Federal Court Bars Alleged Co-Owner of Las Vegas Instant Tax Service Franchise from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:33:23 EST A Nevada federal court has permanently barred Benyam Tewolde from preparing tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Tewolde and his wife, Yordanos Kidanits, are the alleged co-owners of an Instant Tax Service franchise that operates at multiple locations in the Las Vegas area. Instant Tax Service is a nationally franchised tax preparation company based in Dayton, Ohio. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Department of Justice Will Not Challenge Proposed Joint Venture Between Flight Support Service Operators at Connecticut Airport By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 Jan 2013 17:46:35 EST The Department of Justice today announced that it will not challenge a proposal by Columbia Fuel Services Inc. and Lanmar Aviation Inc., the only providers of flight support services at the Groton-New London Airport, in Groton, Conn., to combine their fuel and hangar resources into a newly formed joint venture, Mystic Jet Center. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Florida-Based American Sleep Medicine to Pay $15.3 Million for Improperly Billing Medicare and Other Federal Healthcare Programs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 12:00:11 EST Florida-based American Sleep Medicine LLC has agreed to pay $15,301,341 to resolve allegations that it billed Medicare, TRICARE – the health care program for Uniformed Service members, retirees and their families worldwide – and the Railroad Retirement Medicare Program for sleep diagnostic services that were not eligible for payment. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Former Financial Services Broker Sentenced to Serve 18 Months in Prison for Role in Conspiracies Involving Investment Contracts for the Proceeds of Municipal Bonds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 13:27:57 EST A former financial services broker was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, for his participation in conspiracies related to bidding for contracts for the investment of municipal bond proceeds and other municipal finance contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Leader of Internet Piracy Group “IMAGiNE” Sentenced in Virginia to 60 Months in Prison for Criminal Copyright Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 16:34:20 EST The leader of the Internet piracy group “IMAGiNE” was sentenced today to serve 60 months in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Owner of Detroit Adult Day Care Centers Pleads Guilty in Connection with Medicare Psychotherapy Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 18:41:06 EST The owner of several Detroit-area adult day care centers pleaded guilty today for her role in a $13.2 million psychotherapy fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed U.S. Soldier Sentenced in Texas to 18 Months in Prison for His Role in Fraudulent Military Recruiting Referral Bonus Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 Jan 2013 11:53:46 EST A member of the U.S. military was sentenced today to serve 18 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to obtain approximately $244,000 in fraudulent recruiting referral bonuses from various U.S. military components and their contractor. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Former Owner of Employee Leasing Company Pleads Guilty in Salt Lake City to Federal Employment Tax Crime By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 Jan 2013 17:22:03 EST Richard R. Whatley, a former owner of Alliance Staffing Management Inc., pleaded guilty today for willfully failing to account for and pay over employment taxes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Former Police Officer in New Town, North Dakota, Arrested on Federal Civil Rights Violation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 Jan 2013 18:43:50 EST The Justice Department announced today that Lindrith Tsoodle, 57, a former officer with the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department, was apprehended and arrested on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana yesterday in relation to his indictment on civil rights and obstruction violations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Georgia Woman Indicted for Stealing Identities to Obtain Tax Refunds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 13:52:54 EST A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Ala., returned a superseding indictment charging Deatrice Smith Williams and Quentin Collick for their roles in a stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed EMH Regional Medical Center and North Ohio Heart Center to Pay U.S. $4.4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 14:23:17 EST EMH Regional Medical Center has agreed to pay the United States $3,863,857 and North Ohio Heart Center Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $541,870 to settle allegations that they submitted false claims to Medicare. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Owner of Detroit Adult Day Care Centers Pleads Guilty in Connection with Medicare Psychotherapy Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 16:17:55 EST The owner of several Detroit-area businesses that housed severely mentally-disabled Medicare recipients pleaded guilty today for his role in a $13.2 million fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Justice Department Reaches Settlement with South Carolina Food Service Provider to Resolve Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 16:51:47 EST The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with Centerplate Inc., resolving allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Louisiana Home Inspector Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 17:52:59 EST Jack Ray Carr, of Baton Rouge, La., was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison for one count of corruptly interfering with the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws, four counts of filing false income tax returns and one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Romanian National Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Role in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Remotely Hack into and Steal Payment Card Data from Hundreds of U.S. Merchants’ Computers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 17:59:37 EST A Romanian national was sentenced today to serve 21 months in prison for his role in an international, multimillion-dollar scheme to remotely hack into and steal payment card data from hundreds of U.S. merchants’ computers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Former Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 Jan 2013 14:18:31 EST Demetrio Juan Gonzales, 40, a former corrections officer at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised released for violating the civil rights of an individual in his custody when he struck and choked the victim in the shower room/dress out area of MDC. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty in Pennsylvania to Premeditated Prison Murder By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 Jan 2013 15:30:11 EST A federal inmate formerly held in Pennsylvania’s Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex pleaded guilty today in Harrisburg, Pa., before U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane, to first degree murder for stabbing and kicking a fellow inmate to death. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Dreamboard Member Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Participating in International Criminal Network Organized to Sexually Exploit Children By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 Jan 2013 17:33:29 EST A Massachusetts man was sentenced today to serve 45 years in prison for his participation in an international criminal network, known as Dreamboard, dedicated to the sexual abuse of children and the creation and dissemination of graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse throughout the world. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Canadian Citizen Sentenced in Scheme to Defraud Consumers Purchasing Pharmaceuticals Online By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 15:31:34 EST A Canadian citizen was sentenced to 48 months in prison today for his role in a scheme to defraud consumers purchasing pharmaceuticals online, the Justice Department announced. Andrew J. Strempler was also ordered to pay a forfeiture of $300,000, a fine of $25,000 and restitution. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Barrio Azteca Associate Sentenced in Texas to 18 Months in Prison for Role in Racketeering Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:07:27 EST An associate of the Barrio Azteca (BA), a trans-national border gang allied with the Juarez Cartel, was sentenced today to serve 18 months in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Three Men Convicted in Puerto Rico in Final Operation Guard Shack Prosecution By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:02:59 EST Three men, including two former officers with the Police of Puerto Rico, were convicted today by a federal jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for their roles in providing security for drug transactions. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Virginia Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Gm Diagnostic Equipment By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:07:39 EST A Virginia man was sentenced today in federal court to serve one year and one day in prison for selling counterfeit General Motors (GM) automotive diagnostic devices used by mechanics to identify problems with and assure the safety of motor vehicles. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed New Zealand Fishing Company and Chief Engineer Sentenced for Environmental Crimes and Obstruction of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:18:30 EST A New Zealand fishing company that owned and operated the tuna fishing vessel San Nikunau, and a former chief engineer on the ship, were sentenced in federal court today for environmental crimes and obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Connecticut Couple Arrested on Tax Evasion and Conspiracy Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:08:58 EST Husband and wife John and Sandra Cote, both of Brooklyn, Conn., were arrested on tax charges, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ed Idaho Businessman Convicted of Income Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:50:32 EST A Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, jury convicted Michael George Fitzpatrick, 51, of Hope, Idaho, of two counts of income tax evasion after a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns. Full Article OPA Press Releases