it Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group Announces New Resources to Investigate RMBS Misconduct By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 12:23:23 EDT The Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group announced new resources today in the ongoing effort to investigate misconduct, including the launch of a RMBS website to report fraud and the creation of a coordination team to facilitate the various investigations underway around the country. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Issues Further Guidance on Accessibility Requirements for Existing Swimming Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 13:34:51 EDT The Justice Department released two technical assistance documents today regarding the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to swimming pools. The documents can be found at www.ada.gov//qa_existingpools_titleIII.htm and www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Settles with Louisiana School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for All Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 17:54:45 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it entered into a settlement agreement with the Lincoln Parish School Board in Louisiana to ensure the school district reaches full compliance with its longstanding desegregation obligations. The agreement was approved by a judge today and is in the form of a consent order. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at Drug Court Commencement and Phase Progression Recognition Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:11:58 EDT "My colleagues and I across the Justice Department – and the entire Obama Administration – remain deeply committed to expanding this work through funding grants, training, and other forms of assistance. We’re eager to continue partnering with leading jurists like those who serve this Court, tireless advocates like our allies at the PSA and NADCP, and determined drug court participants like each of you," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
it Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Texas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 09:52:59 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor primary elections on May 29, 2012, in Fort Bend, Harris and Jefferson Counties in Texas, to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes. The Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the election process on the basis of race, color or membership in a minority language group. In addition, the act requires certain covered jurisdictions to provide language assistance during the election process. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in California By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 13:31:00 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with California state officials to help ensure that military servicemembers, their family members and U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in California’s June 5, 2012, federal primary election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Romanian National Extradited to U.S. to Face Charges for Allegedly Participating in Multimillion Dollar Scheme to Hack into and Steal Credit Card Data from U.S. Merchants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 18:16:05 EDT Adrian-Tiberiu Oprea, 28, of Constanta, Romania, was extradited to the United States and appeared in federal court in New Hampshire today, to face federal charges relating to his alleged participation in an international multimillion dollar scheme to remotely hack into and steal payment card data from hundreds of U.S. merchants’ “point of sale” computer systems. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against New Jersey Information Technology Company for Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 11:05:59 EDT The Justice Department settled a lawsuit today against Whiz International LLC, an information technology staffing company in Jersey City, N.J., regarding allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated an employee in retaliation for expressing opposition to Whiz’s alleged preference for foreign nationals with temporary work visas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Settles Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against New York City Transit Authority By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:12:10 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) to resolve allegations that the NYCTA is engaged in a pattern or practice of religious discrimination. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it National Science Foundation Program Director Pleads Guilty in Connection with Scheme to Conceal Received Benefits By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:17:42 EDT Dr. Shih Chi Liu, 73, of Silver Spring, Md., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Major Cities Chiefs Association Summer Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:20:43 EDT "As our nation’s Attorney General, as a prosecutor and former judge, and as the brother of a retired New York-New Jersey Port Authority police officer, I am inspired by your service, and proud to support each of the brave men and women who make up the 'thin blue line' – a line defined by honor, heroism, and valor. Especially today, I am privileged to count the chiefs gathered here as indispensable colleagues and allies," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
it Minnesota-based St. Jude Medical Pays U.S. $3.65 Million to Settle Claims That It Overcharged for Implantable Cardiac Devices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 11:48:55 EDT St. Jude Medical Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $3.65 million to resolve civil allegations under the False Claims Act that the company inflated the cost of replacement pacemakers and defibrillators purchased by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Justice Department announced today. St. Paul, Minn.-based St. Jude Medical develops, manufactures and distributes cardiovascular and implantable neurostimulation medical devices. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Las Vegas Casino for Unfair Documentary Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 16:33:36 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it filed a lawsuit against Tuscany Hotel and Casino LLC in Las Vegas, alleging that the company engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination in the employment eligibility verification and re-verification process. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires employers to treat all authorized workers equally during the hiring, firing and employment eligibility verification process, regardless of their national origin or citizenship status. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Former Tuscaloosa, Alabama Police Sergeant Charged with Civil Rights Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 18:28:02 EDT A federal grand jury in Birmingham, Ala., today returned a five-count indictment charging former city of Tuscaloosa Police Sergeant Jason Glenn Thomas with federal civil rights offenses in connection with the aggravated sexual assault of a Tuscaloosa woman in 2011, announced Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and Patrick J. Maley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Birmingham Field Office. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Former National Guard Recruiter Pleads Guilty for Leading Role in Bribery and Fraud Scheme to Illegally Obtain Military Recruiting Bonuses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 18:36:05 EDT A former Army National Guard recruiter pleaded guilty today in the Western District of Texas for his lead role in a bribery and fraud conspiracy that caused more than $90,000 in losses to the National Guard Bureau, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez Speaks on the Fair Lending Settlement with SunTrust Mortgage Inc. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 13:44:33 EDT "Today’s settlement with SunTrust builds on an unprecedented period of fair lending enforcement by the department. Since the establishment of the Fair lending Unit, thanks to the committed career professionals in the Division, we have brought record numbers of enforcement actions," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
it Justice Department Settles Lawsuit with Pierce County, Washington, Alleging Employment Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 17:31:33 EDT The Justice Department announced today it has entered into a consent decree with Pierce County, Wash., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, will resolve allegations that the county discriminated against a female employee by retaliating against her in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII is a federal statute which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion and protects employees who file complaints under any of those bases. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Five Sentenced for Their Roles in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 14:13:54 EDT Fahim Suleiman and Muuad Salem were sentenced to prison today by U.S. District Court Judge James S. Gwin in connection with their roles as co-conspirators in a scheme to defraud the United States by obtaining false and fraudulent U.S. Treasury tax refund checks, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Virginia-based Defense Contractor Calnet to Pay $18.1 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 16:49:18 EDT Calnet Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $18.1 million to resolve allegations that the company submitted false claims to the Department of Defense, the Justice Department announced today. Calnet Inc., an intelligence analysis, information technology and language services company, is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Doctors, Therapist and Recruiters from Miami-Area Mental Health Care Corporation Convicted for Participating in $205 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 19:43:15 EDT A federal jury today convicted two Miami-area doctors, one Miami-area therapist and two others for their participation in a Medicare fraud scheme involving more than $205 million in fraudulent billings by American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC), a mental health care corporation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department to Monitor Elections in California, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wisconsin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 11:15:06 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor elections on June 5, 2012, in the following jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes: Alameda, Fresno and Riverside Counties, Calif.; Cibola and Sandoval Counties, N.M.; Shannon County, S.D.; and the city of Milwaukee. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Former Arizona State Representative Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion Related to the Misuse of More Than $140,000 in Charity Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 15:37:07 EDT Former Arizona State Representative Richard David Miranda was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for defrauding a charity of more than $140,000 and evading income tax related to those unlawfully obtained funds. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Nevada Lobbyist Harvey Whittemore Indicted for Making Unlawful Campaign Contributions and Lying to Investigators By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:54:46 EDT F. Harvey Whittemore, 55, of Reno, Nevada, was charged with one count of making excessive campaign contributions, one count of making contributions in the name of others and two counts of making a false statement to a federal agency. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West and U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter Announce Pilot Initiative to Address Sexual Assault on Montana Reservations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 18:52:22 EDT Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West today joined U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter and Vice-Chairman of the Crow Nation Calvin Coolidge Jefferson to announce a multi-agency collaboration with tribal governments to establish sexual assault response teams (SARTs) in the six Montana reservations under federal jurisdiction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Home Health Agency Owner Pleads Guilty in Connection with Detroit Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 19:02:15 EDT Detroit-area resident Muhammad “Sib” Ahmad pleaded guilty today for his role in organizing a more than $13 million home health care fraud and money laundering scheme, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Testifies Before the Senate Judiciary Committee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 10:59:41 EDT "As someone who spent over a dozen years as a prosecutor and then nearly twenty more as a defense attorney, I know firsthand the importance that discovery plays in ensuring criminal defendants fair trials. But, at the same time, I am acutely aware of the other critical interests – such as the safety and privacy of witnesses and victims – that our criminal justice system properly takes into account," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
it Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the Press Conference Regarding Sexual Assault Response Team Initiative By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 18:51:22 EDT "We hope that establishing SART teams on every Montana reservation will bring healing and justice to victims of sexual violence – the kind of help that will also strengthen the faith and confidence that native women have in their criminal justice system," said Acting Associate Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
it Justice Department Seeks to Intervene in Lawsuit Alleging Sex Discrimination Against Summit County, Ohio, and Summit County Sheriff By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 18:22:35 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has moved to intervene in Hawkins, et al. v. Summit County, Ohio, et al., a private lawsuit alleging sex discrimination by Summit County, Ohio, and the Summit County Sheriff, as well as other defendants. The United States’ complaint in intervention alleges that the county and sheriff discriminated against twenty female deputy sheriffs who filed charges of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other similarly-situated female deputies because of their sex and engaged in a pattern or practice of sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 09:49:57 EDT " am proud of the work that’s been done – by the Department’s 116,000 employees, as well as our government and law enforcement partners worldwide – to help fulfill the promises that I made before this Committee more than three years ago," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
it Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the National Disability Rights Network 2012 P&A/CAP Annual Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 11:50:05 EDT "In the Civil Rights Division, we still see every single day barriers facing individuals with disabilities that stand in the way of allowing all people to maximize the contribution they can make to society," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
it Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery Speaks at the American Bar Association’s Ninth National Institute on the Civil False Claims Act and Qui Tam Enforcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 14:03:47 EDT "Protecting taxpayer dollars is one of the Attorney General’s core priorities. This includes a commitment to increase our efforts to reduce fraud at the outset," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Delery. Full Article Speech
it Justice Department Settles Lawsuit with United Airlines to Enforce Employment Rights of Air National Guardsman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 16:52:22 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with United Airlines Inc., resolving Ten Eyck LaTourrette’s allegation that the airline violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by under compensating his retirement plan during his military service. LaTourrette is currently a major serving in the Colorado Air National Guard and a first officer for United Airlines. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it American Samoa Department of Education Official Sentenced to 35 Months in Prison for Witness Tampering and Obstruction of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 17:49:00 EDT Paul Solofa, the former chief financial officer for the Department of Education for the government of the U.S. Territory of American Samoa was sentenced today to 35 months in prison following his conviction earlier this year for his efforts to obstruct a federal grand jury and law enforcement investigation into a bribery scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department to Monitor Elections in South Carolina By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:19:54 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor primary elections on June 12, 2012, in Fairfield and Williamsburg Counties in South Carolina to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it ING Bank N.V. Agrees to Forfeit $619 Million for Illegal Transactions with Cuban and Iranian Entities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:21:48 EDT ING Bank N.V., a financial institution headquartered in Amsterdam, has agreed to forfeit $619 million to the Justice Department and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) and for violating New York state laws by illegally moving billions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf of sanctioned Cuban and Iranian entities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Florida Alleging Violations of the National Voter Registration Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:34:35 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida and the Florida Secretary of State in his official capacity alleging that the state has violated its obligations under Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Former Fort Deposit, Alabama, Police Officer Arrested for Stealing Money from Motorists and Obstructing Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:37:47 EDT Former Fort Deposit, Ala., Police Officer Carlos Tyson Bennett was arrested today on charges of stealing money from motorists on Interstate 65 in central Alabama and subsequently trying to conceal his criminal activity, announced the Justice Department. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:19:17 EDT "I am proud of all that’s been achieved by the 116,000 men and women who serve the Department in offices around the world. Their dedicated efforts – and those of our government and law enforcement partners at every level – have allowed me to fulfill the commitments that I made during my first appearance before this Committee as Attorney General," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
it Admitted New England La Cosa Nostra Leader Sentenced to 108 Months in Federal Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:35:49 EDT Edward “Eddy” Lato, 65, of Providence, R.I., an admitted capo regime in the New England La Cosa Nostra (NELCN), was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 108 months in federal prison for participating in racketeering extortion conspiracies of several Rhode Island adult entertainment businesses and of a car salesman and his wife. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Criminal and Social Justice Standing Committee Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:48:45 EDT "This coordinated approach to finding solutions involves more than just enforcement -- we must also direct our efforts to prevent the occurrence of crime in the first place, provide support through intervention programs, and provide individuals reentering our communities from jails and prisons with the tools they need to succeed and turn away from crime," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
it Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Grayson County, Virginia, on Bailout from the Voting Rights Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:28:48 EDT The Justice Department announced that it has reached an agreement with Grayson County, Va., that will allow for the county and its four political subdivisions, the Grayson County School District and the towns of Independence, Fries and Troutdale, Va., to bail out from their status as “covered jurisdictions” under the special provisions of the Voting Rights Act, and thereby exempt these jurisdictions from the preclearance requirements of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The agreement is in the form of a consent decree filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and must be approved by the court. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the White House World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:40:34 EDT "For me, and for today’s Department of Justice, protecting older Americans is a top priority that we advance on multiple fronts," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
it Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the White House World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:43:12 EDT "So as we continue to bring our law enforcement tools to bear to investigate, prosecute and punish elder abuse perpetrators, we at the Department also know that the most effective elder abuse case is the one we prevent," said Acting Associate Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
it Three Tax Return Preparers Charged with Helping Clients Evade Taxes by Hiding Millions in Secret Accounts at Two Israeli Banks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:54:23 EDT David Kalai, Nadav Kalai and David Almog were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Central District of California and charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The superseding indictment, which was returned late yesterday, was unsealed following the defendants’ arrests. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Former Chief Financial Officer of Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:03:48 EDT Delton de Armas, a former chief financial officer (CFO) of Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp. (TBW), was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for his role in a more than $2.9 billion fraud scheme that contributed to the failure of TBW. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Alleged International Credit Card Trafficker “Badb” Extradited from France to the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:28:32 EDT Vladislav Anatolievich Horohorin, aka “BadB” of Moscow, an alleged international credit card trafficker thought to be one of the most prolific sellers of stolen credit card data, has been extradited from France to the United States to face criminal charges filed in the District of Columbia and in the Northern District of Georgia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Owner of Southern California-Based Mesquite Charcoal Distributor Pleads Guilty to Customer Allocation and Bid-Rigging Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:25:14 EDT The owner of a southern California-based mesquite charcoal distributor pleaded guilty for his role in a customer allocation and bid-rigging conspiracy for the sale of mesquite charcoal. Full Article OPA Press Releases
it Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the National Institute of Justice Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:05:36 EDT "As we all know, the challenges facing us in criminal justice are considerable. But our knowledge about what works is growing, and the tools and technology we have at our disposal are expanding. We are becoming – every day – more sophisticated, more informed, and more effective," said Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
it Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the National Institute of Justice Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:07:52 EDT "Ultimately, however, the role that science plays in forming our policies and practices -- that will depend on each of you: your commitment; your vigilance; your dedication to ensuring that our work to create a criminal justice system that is more effective, more efficient, more just, will rest not merely on a foundation of hope, or goodwill, or good intentions, but on a bedrock of integrity born of science and research," said Acting Associate Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
it Justice Department to Monitor Election in Maryland By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:48:03 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the Civil Rights Division will monitor the municipal election on June 20, 2012, in Crisfield, Md. The monitoring will ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the election process on the basis of race, color or membership in a minority language group. Full Article OPA Press Releases