co Former BP Engineer Arrested for Obstruction of Justice in Connection with the Deepwater Horizon Criminal Investigation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:50:35 EDT Mix, 50, of Katy, Texas, was charged with two counts of obstruction of justice in a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana and unsealed today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Dallas Compounding Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty in Connection with Misbranded Drug Shipment By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:37:47 EDT Gary D. Osborn and his corporation, ApothéCure Inc., pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to two misdemeanor criminal violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The pleas are in connection with ApothéCure’s interstate shipment of two lots of misbranded colchicine injectable solution that led to the deaths of three people in the Pacific Northwest. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Freeport-McMoRan Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. Will Pay $6.8 Million in Damages for Injuries to Natural Resources from the Morenci Copper Mine in Arizona By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:42:13 EDT The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior announced today that Freeport-McMoRan Corporation and Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. have agreed to pay $6.8 million to settle federal and state natural resource damages claims related to the Morenci copper mine in southeastern Arizona. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Massachusetts Financial Advisor Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Tax Crimes and Contempt By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:54:05 EDT Kevin P. Mahoney of Attleboro, Mass., was sentenced today to 60 months in prison, following trial convictions on corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and criminal contempt of court, the Justice Department and the IRS announced. U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro presided over the trial and imposed the sentence. A Boston jury convicted licensed stockbroker, insurance agent and financial advisor Mahoney on Jan. 25, 2012. Mahoney was charged with one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, eight counts of contempt of court and eight counts of filing false tax returns. He was convicted on all counts. Judge Tauro also ordered Mahoney to pay $367,000 in restitution to the IRS. Mahoney was remanded to prison immediately following the sentencing hearing. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Hess Corporation to Install $45 Million in Pollution Controls and Pay $850,000 Penalty to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations at New Jersey Refinery By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:33:14 EDT Hess Corporation has agreed to pay an $850,000 civil penalty and spend more than $45 million in new pollution controls to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its Port Reading, N.J., refinery. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Federal Court Bars Two Louisiana Women from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:30:11 EDT A federal court in New Orleans has permanently barred Cathy and Lashanda Vinnett from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. The civil injunction order, to which the Vinnetts agreed without admitting the government’s allegations, was signed by Judge Helen G. Berrigan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Three Operators of Miami Home Health Company Sentenced in $60 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:55:17 EDT U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro in Miami sentenced Roberto Gonzalez to 120 months in prison, Olga Gonzalez to 87 months in prison and Fabian Gonzalez to 87 months in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Alleged Acting New England Crime Boss Anthony Dinunzio Charged in Racketeering and Extortion Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:52:23 EDT Anthony L. Dinunzio, 53, of East Boston, Mass., the alleged leader of the New England organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (NELCN), was arrested today on racketeering and extortion charges. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Former Morgan Stanley Managing Director Pleads Guilty for Role in Evading Internal Controls Required by FCPA By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:50:45 EDT Garth Peterson, 42, an American citizen living in Singapore, pleaded guilty to one-count criminal information charging him with conspiring to evade internal accounting controls that Morgan Stanley was required to maintain under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Sex Discrimination by Waupaca County, Wisconsin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:58:55 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached a consent decree with Waupaca County, Wis., to resolve allegations that the county discriminated against an employee by denying her a promotion because of her sex. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co McKesson Corp. Pays U.S. More Than $190 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:12:01 EDT McKesson Corporation has agreed to pay the United States more than $190 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by reporting inflated pricing information for a large number of prescription drugs, causing Medicaid to overpay for those drugs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Department of Justice Releases Investigative Findings on the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:50:30 EDT Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department today announced its findings regarding the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County (JCMSC), and the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center in Tennessee. The Justice Department found that the juvenile court fails to provide constitutionally required due process to all children appearing for delinquency proceedings, that the court’s administration of juvenile justice discriminates against African-American children, and that its detention center violates the substantive due process rights of detained youth by not providing them with reasonably safe conditions of confinement. The investigation, opened in August 2009, was conducted under provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co DENSO Corporation Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Automobile Parts Price-Fixing and Bid-Rigging Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:48:41 EDT An executive of Japanese-based DENSO Corporation has agreed to plead guilty and to serve 14 months in a U.S. prison for his role in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for heater control panels (HCPs) installed in U.S. cars. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Two Alleged Members of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Family Charged in Second Superseding Indictment By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:38:43 EDT Two alleged members of the Philadelphia organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra (LCN) were arrested today on racketeering charges contained in a second superseding indictment. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Federal Courts Order Seizure of 36 Website Domains Involved in Selling Stolen Credit Card Numbers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:41:10 EDT The seizures are the result of Operation Wreaking hAVoC, an FBI and Justice Department operation targeting the sale of stolen credit card numbers via the Internet. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Civil Rights Charge By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:24:47 EDT Former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer Victor Bell, 25, pleaded guilty today to a criminal civil rights charge for assaulting an inmate in the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility (D.C. jail). Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Former Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Sergeant Sentenced for Criminal Civil Rights Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:15:25 EDT Former Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s sergeant, Althea Mallisham, 52, has been sentenced to 61 months in prison for civil rights convictions for wrongfully using a Taser against three detainees during separate incidents over a four month period in 2008. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Second Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation in Maryland By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:03:21 EDT Billie Ray Pratt, age 24, of Halethorpe, Md., pleaded guilty today to his involvement in hanging a raccoon on the porch of a family from Africa. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Natural Gas and Oil Drilling Company and Supervisor Sentenced in Oklahoma for Negligent Violation of Clean Water Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:40:09 EDT Integrated Production Services Inc. (IPS), a Houston-based natural gas and oil drilling contractor, was sentenced today in federal court in Muskogee, Okla., to pay a criminal fine of $140,000 for violations of the Clean Water Act at its hydraulic fracturing operation in Atoka County, Okla., the Justice Department announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the 2012 Tribal Consultation Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:20:45 EDT "The Department of Justice has an important legal and moral responsibility to prosecute violent crime in Indian country, because under current law, in much of Indian country, we alone have the authority to seek an appropriate sentence when a serious crime has been committed. Our role as the sole prosecutor for serious violent crime makes our responsibility to citizens in Indian country unique, and we take it seriously," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
co Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez Speaks at Shelby County, Tenn., Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:46:59 EDT "The racial disparities in the treatment of African-American children raise serious constitutional concerns under the equal protection clause," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
co Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia Servant of Justice Awards 80th Anniversary Dinner By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:20:26 EDT "Every day, Legal Aid attorneys are in the courtroom – standing up for survivors of domestic violence; helping families facing eviction, and veterans who have been denied their benefits; and making sure adults and children alike have an understanding of the rights and protections to which they are entitled. And, because of your consistent focus on pro bono work, you are helping to rally the entire bar to this cause," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
co Alabama Real Estate Investor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Conspiracies to Rig Bids and Commit Mail Fraud for the Purchase of Real Estate at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:53:34 EDT An Alabama real estate investor has agreed to plead guilty and to serve one year in prison for his role in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in southern Alabama. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Stuart F. Delery Speaks at the White House LGBT Conference on Families By www.justice.gov Published On :: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:17:59 EDT "Over the past three years, the President and federal agencies throughout the government have taken crucial steps to support LGBT individuals and their families," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Delery. Full Article Speech
co Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc. Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty for Participating in Bid-Rigging Conspiracies Involving Optical Disk Drives By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:59:12 EDT An executive of Korean-based Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc. (HLDS) has agreed to plead guilty and to serve time in a U.S. prison for his participation in a series of conspiracies to rig bids for the sale of optical disk drives. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co National Express and Petermann to Sell Off School Bus Contracts in Texas and Washington to Resolve Antitrust Concerns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:05:18 EDT National Express Corporation and Petermann Partners Inc. will divest several school bus contracts and associated assets in the states of Washington and Texas in order to proceed with their proposed merger. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co President of Costa Rican Company Convicted in Half a Billion Dollar Fraud Scheme with Thousands of Victims Worldwide By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:37:36 EDT The president of a Costa Rican company that sold reinsurance bonds to life settlement companies was found guilty by a federal jury in Richmond, Va., today for carrying out a half-billion-dollar fraud scheme that affected more than 2,000 victims throughout the United States and abroad. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Justice Department Announces Investigations of the Handling of Sexual Assault Allegations by the University of Montana, the Missoula, Mont., Police Department and the Missoula County Attorney’s Office By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 15:49:18 EDT The Department of Justice today announced a series of investigations stemming from allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the University of Montana and in the greater Missoula, Mont., community. These investigations will seek to determine whether gender discrimination affected the prevention, investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults and sexual harassment in Missoula. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Former Bryan County, Okla., Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Using Taser to Shock Restrained Detainee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 17:37:57 EDT The Justice Department announced today that former Bryan County, Okla., Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Kevin Bennett Holt, 48, from Achille, Okla., pleaded guilty in federal court to using a Taser to assault a detainee inside of the Bryan County Jail in Durant, Okla., thereby depriving the detainee of his civil rights. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Justice Department Settles Towing Company Case Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 17:00:14 EDT The Justice Department announced that it had reached a settlement of alleged violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) providing damages and credit repair to 26 servicemembers whose cars were towed and sold while they were on active duty without obtaining court orders as SCRA requires. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Colorado Man and Co-defendant Found Guilty for Scheme to File Approximately $22 Million in False Claims with the Irs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 17:23:01 EDT Curtis Morris, 43, of Elizabeth, Colo., and Richard Kellogg Armstrong, 77, of Prescott, Ariz., were found guilty on April 30, 2012, by a jury for mail fraud, filing false claims against the United States and conspiracy to file false claims against the United States, announced the Justice Department’s Tax Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and IRS-Criminal Investigation. In addition to these counts, Armstrong was also found guilty of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from the mail fraud. The guilty verdicts were the result of a three week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn. Morris and Armstrong are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10, 2012. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 18:11:39 EDT Earlier today, following a four-week trial, Adis Medunjanin, 28, a Queens, N.Y., resident who joined al-Qaeda and plotted to commit a suicide terrorist attack, was found guilty of multiple federal terrorism offenses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Missoula, Mont., Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 May 2012 18:48:24 EDT "The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the University and the law enforcement agencies acted promptly, adequately, and fairly to protect the safety of women and whether the university, the police, and the county attorney have comprehensive and integrated systems in place to do so," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
co Vidor, Texas, Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Atascosa County, Texas, Murder By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 May 2012 18:00:09 EDT Michael Dewayne Smith, 31, aka “Bucky,” was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in the Western District of Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Health Care Fraud Takedown Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: "As of today, as part of a coordinated, nationwide takedown, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force – a joint initiative led by the Departments of Justice and HHS that’s comprised of federal, state, and local investigators and law enforcement officials from across the country – has charged 107 defendants in seven different cities for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $452 million in false billings. This is the highest amount of alleged false Medicare billings involved in a single takedown in the Strike Force’s 5-year history," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
co Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the Health Care Fraud Takedown Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 May 2012 13:52:30 EDT "From Los Angeles, to Chicago, to Miami, these defendants allegedly submitted over $450 million in fraudulent claims to the Medicare program. This represents the largest Medicare fraud takedown in Department history, as measured by the amount of alleged fraudulent billings," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. Full Article Speech
co Hyosung Corporation Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Obstruction of Justice for Submitting False Documents in an ATM Merger Investigation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 May 2012 10:54:41 EDT An executive of South Korean-based Hyosung Corporation has agreed to plead guilty and to serve time in a U.S. prison for obstruction of justice charges in connection with an automated teller machine (ATM) merger investigation conducted by the Antitrust Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Federal Court Shuts Down Texas Tax Return Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 May 2012 10:49:19 EDT A federal court in Dallas has permanently barred Joseph Rivas of DeSoto, Texas, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. The civil injunction order, to which Rivas consented without admitting the allegations against him, was signed by Judge Sidney Fitzwater of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Austin, Texas, Man Sentenced to 61 Months in Federal Prison for Bankruptcy Fraud and Identity Theft in Connection with Nationwide Foreclosure-rescue Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 May 2012 16:54:08 EDT Frederic Alan Gladle, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Justice Department Returns $44 Million to Victims of Qwest Communications Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 May 2012 17:20:44 EDT The $44 million in funds were forfeited to the United States as a result of the 2007 federal conviction of Qwest’s chief executive officer, Joseph P. Nacchio, for securities fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at Arresting Demand: a National Colloquium By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 May 2012 13:36:55 EDT "Sex trafficking is a big money-maker for criminals and a scourge to society. Traffickers callously seek to furnish their market with women, girls, and boys who have been cast out by society and whose options are few. In many cases, they are young people – not even teenagers – who are looking for the home they’ve never had. What they find, instead, are betrayal, cruelty, and abuse. And sadly, too often our systems of support and justice have offered no quarter," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
co Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 May 2012 11:41:21 EDT Mohammad Hassan Khalid, 18, a Pakistani citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident who resided in Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, stemming from his participation in a scheme to support, recruit and coordinate members of a conspiracy in their plan to wage violent jihad in and around Europe. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Nine Alabama Family Members Indicted in Conspiracy to Obtain Tax Refunds Using Stolen Identities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 May 2012 13:16:42 EDT Barbara Murry, Douglas Murry, Douglas Murry III, Yolanda Moses, Lee Moses, Veronica Temple, Jeffrey Temple, Almetta Johnson and Courtney Johnson were charged in an indictment by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama on a variety of counts stemming from an identity theft and tax fraud scheme, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Former New Mexico Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 4 May 2012 17:51:39 EDT Lawrence Etsitty, 30, a former police officer with the Navajo Police Department, pleaded guilty today in federal court to two charges related to the sexual abuse of a woman who was in his custody on Jan. 25, 2009. Etsitty pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of the victim when he touched and kissed her against her will, while she was handcuffed. Etsitty also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI in connection with the sexual assault. Etsitty did not enter a plea to the portion of the indictment that alleged the offense included kidnapping. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Justice Department to Monitor Election in Wisconsin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 May 2012 11:11:08 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the Civil Rights Division will monitor the election on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in Milwaukee. 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. In addition, the act requires certain covered jurisdictions to provide language assistance during the election process. The city of Milwaukee is required to provide assistance in Spanish. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Alabama Resident Arrested and Charged with Bribery and Gambling Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 May 2012 19:08:42 EDT An indictment filed in the Northern District of Alabama and unsealed today charges Robert E. Taylor Jr., 41, of Warrior, Ala., with conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official in order to protect his interest in an illegal gambling business. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at Press Conference Regarding Settlement with Abbott Laboratories By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 May 2012 15:40:21 EDT "As today’s announcement shows, we are committed to combating health care fraud in all its forms – from fly-by-night operations to some of the nation’s largest companies pursuing sophisticated schemes targeting government health care programs," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
co Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at Press Conference Regarding Settlement with Abbott Laboratories By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 May 2012 15:43:20 EDT "These agreements provide an example of the kind of resolution we will seek from companies that misguidedly put profits over patients," said Acting Associate Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
co Doctor and Home Health Agency Owner Plead Guilty in Connection with Detroit Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 May 2012 16:57:14 EDT Detroit-area residents Zahir Yousafzai and Dr. Dwight Smith pleaded guilty yesterday for their roles in a $13.8 million home health care fraud and money laundering scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
co Alabama Return Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Conspiracy Involving Stolen Identity Refund Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 May 2012 17:46:05 EDT Margaret Kirksey, a resident of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced today in the Middle District of Alabama to 81 months in federal prison for filing false tax returns using stolen identities, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases