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Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty in Plot to Recruit Violent Jihadist Fighters and to Commit Murder Overseas

Colleen R. LaRose, aka “Jihad Jane,” 47, pleaded guilty today to all counts of a superseding indictment charging her with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, making false statements and attempted identity theft. LaRose faces maximum potential sentence of life in prison and a $1 million fine when she is sentenced.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Department of Justice Announces Launch of Human Trafficking Enhanced Enforcement Initiative

The Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor announced today the launch of a nationwide Human Trafficking Enhanced Enforcement Initiative designed to streamline federal criminal investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking offenses.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Senate Office Manager Convicted in $75,000 Wire Fraud Scheme

Ngozi T. Pole, 40, a former office manager in the U.S. Senate, was convicted today of five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government property.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Meeting

"As part of this fight against human trafficking, specialized Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams, known as ACTeams, will be convened in a number of pilot districts nationwide," said Attorney General Holder.




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Justice Department Obtains Settlement with Man for FACE Act Violation at Reproductive Health Clinic in Texas

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ordered that Juan Antonio Gaona must adhere to a 25-foot buffer zone around a Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Clinic in San Antonio, Texas.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination on Basis of Race in Clanton, Alabama

The Justice Department today announced a settlement of its lawsuit alleging that Chandi Biswas, Kenneth R. Scott and Frankie L. Roberson violated the Fair Housing Act by making discriminatory statements against African-American renters at Rolling Oaks Apartments in Clanton, Ala.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Choctaw County, Mississippi, Sheriff’s Deputy Indicted for Civil Rights Offenses and Obstruction of Justice

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Choctaw County, Miss., Sheriff’s Deputy Billy C. Scott Jr. with civil rights violations and obstructing justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Kershaw County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Department Officer Found Guilty for Using Excessive Force on Detainee

A federal jury in Columbia, S.C., convicted Oddie Tribble, 51, a former police officer with the Kershaw County, S.C., Sherriff’s Office, of a civil rights violation for his use of excessive force on a man in his custody on Aug. 5, 2010.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Settles with Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Over Use of Tasers in County Jails

A settlement agreement has been reached with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Columbus, Ohio, over the use of Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs), or electrically charged weapons commonly referred to by the brand name “TASER,” in its two jails, the Franklin County Corrections Centers.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Eight Miami-Area Nurses Sentenced to Prison for $18.7 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme Involving Home Health Care

Eight Miami-area nurses were sentenced to prison today for their roles in an $18.7 million Medicare fraud scheme involving home health care.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Dow Research Scientist Convicted of Stealing Trade Secrets and Perjury

A federal jury in Baton Rouge, La., today convicted a former research scientist of stealing trade secrets from Dow Chemical Company and selling them to companies in the People’s Republic of China, as well as committing perjury.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Reaches Settlement with the Carson City, Nevada, School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL Students

A settlement agreement with the Carson City School District in Nevada has been reached to ensure that all English Language Learner (ELL) students receive sufficient services as required by federal law.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Five Individuals and One Tennessee Company Charged with Conspiracy to Violate Arms Export Control Act and Related Offenses in International Arms Trafficking Scheme

Five individuals and a Nashville, Tenn., firearms manufacturer have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges relating to international firearms and trafficking violations of the Arms Export Control Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Executives of Iowa-Ready Mix Concrete Companies Sentenced to Serve Prison Sentences for Price Fixing and Bid Rigging

Two Iowa ready-mix concrete executives were sentenced to serve jail time and pay criminal fines for their participation in separate conspiracies to fix prices and rig bids for sales of ready-mix concrete.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the National Association of Latino Elected Officials Luncheon on Redistricting

"The importance of this process can not be overstated – our system of government relies upon giving everyone an equal voice – and the decennial redistricting process ensures integrity in our system."




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Justice Department Announces Indictment and Six Lawsuits Targeting False Claims for First-time Homebuyer and Earned-income Tax Credits

The United States has filed six lawsuits in five states to stop tax return preparers from fraudulently claiming the first-time homebuyer tax credit and the earned-income tax credit.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Pennsylvania Teen Pleads Guilty for Cross Burning

Michael Francis Bealonis, of Robinson, Penn., pleaded guilty today a charge related to the burning of a cross in the yard of an African-American juvenile in November 2009



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Lecture at the University of Montana School of Law Jones-Tamm Lecture Series

"In the spirit of Judge William Jones and Judge Edward Tamm – the visionary namesakes of this lecture series – that’s exactly what today is all about: taking a step back from what we do and what we study to consider what we owe – to our community, to our country, and to our fellow citizens," said Attorney General Holder.




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Cement Manufacturer to Pay $1.4 Million and Install Emission Controls to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations at Ohio Plant

CEMEX Inc., one of the largest producers of Portland cement in the United States, will spend an estimated $2 million on pollution controls that will reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), pollutants that can lead to childhood asthma, acid rain, smog and impaired visibility in national parks. Under a settlement to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its cement plant in Fairborn, Ohio, CEMEX will also pay a $1.4 million penalty, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Sues Nevada Man to Stop Alleged Tax Fraud Scheme

The United States has sued David Champion of Pahrump, Nev., seeking to bar him from promoting an alleged tax fraud scheme designed to assist his customers evade paying federal taxes.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Tyson Foods Inc. Agrees to Pay $4 Million Criminal Penalty to Resolve Foreign Bribery Allegations

Tyson Foods Inc. has agreed to pay a $4 million criminal penalty to resolve an investigation into improper payments by company representatives to government-employed inspection veterinarians in Mexico.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Ohio Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Preparing False Returns

Thierno M. Diallo of Cincinnati was sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S District Court Judge Sandra Beckwith in Cincinnati for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion Related to Organized Crime Investigation

A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., to 12 months and one day in prison for tax evasion related to an FBI investigation of organized crime activity in Rhode Island.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Settles Housing Discrimination Lawsuit Against Dalton Township, Michigan

The Justice Department announced today that Dalton Township, Mich., will pay $62,500 to settle a lawsuit alleging that the township discriminated against a group home for persons recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Brooklyn-Area Medical Equipment Company Owners and Operators Plead Guilty to Fraud Scheme Involving Diabetic Shoe Inserts

The owners and operators of a Brooklyn-area durable medical equipment (DME) company pleaded guilty yesterday to defrauding the Medicare program, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Staff Member in U.S. House of Representatives Convicted on Corruption Charges

federal jury in the District of Columbia today convicted a former staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives on corruption charges relating to his acceptance of an all-expenses paid trip to Game One of the 2003 World Series.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Federal Court Permanently Bars North Carolina Woman from Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others

A federal court has permanently barred Jody S. Ball of Bryson City, N.C., from preparing federal income tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Medical Assistant Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for His Role in a Fraudulent Home Health Scheme

A medical assistant was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services announced.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Abramoff Business Partner Michael Scanlon Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Role in Public Corruption and Fraud Schemes

Michael P.S. Scanlon, 40, a business partner of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to 20 months in prison for his role in a wide-ranging public corruption and fraud conspiracy.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Virginia Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Engaging in a Child Exploitation Enterprise

Ryan Chiles of Hampton, Va., was sentenced today in the Western District of Pennsylvania to 102 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Department of Justice FY 2012 Budget Request

Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that President Obama’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget proposal totaling $28.2 billion for the Department of Justice identifies $2.0 billion in efficiencies and savings while providing resources to strengthen national security, preserve the department’s traditional missions, maintain prisons and detention, and assist our state, local and tribal law enforcement partners.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former California Congressional Candidate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Lying During Investigation

Tan Nguyen, 35, from Oceanside, Calif., was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter to one year and one day in federal prison for his conviction last year on a federal obstruction of justice charge stemming from lies he told California investigators about his involvement in a letter sent to Latino voters during his 2006 campaign for U.S. House of Representatives.



  • OPA Press Releases

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FBI and Justice Department Response to NAS Review of Scientific Approaches Used During the Investigation of the 2001 Anthrax Letters

The FBI and Department of Justice response to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences report, "Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI’s Investigation of the 2001 Anthrax Letters."



  • OPA Press Releases

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Twenty People Indicted in Florida for Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Approximately $200 Million in Medicare Billing

Twenty individuals, including three doctors, were charged today in the Southern District of Florida for various health care fraud, kickback and money laundering charges related to their alleged participation in a fraud scheme involving approximately $200 million in Medicare billing for purported mental health services.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Latin Kings Leader Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for a Racketeering Conspiracy Related to His Gang Activities

Erick Roman, aka “Erick Javier Sierra,” “Malian-T” and “King Malian-T,” 34, of Laurel, Md., was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Signs Agreement with the Town of Swansea, Massachusetts, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities

An agreement has been reached with the town of Swansea, Mass., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Construction Manager of Iowa Building Renovation Pleads Guilty to Environmental Crimes

The construction manager for a renovation project at the Equitable Building in Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and for violating the Clean Air Act’s work practice standards related to asbestos removal.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Virginia Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Engaging in a Child Exploitation Enterprise

Fred Woolum of Lexington, Va., was sentenced today in the Western District of Pennsylvania to 15 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Statement of Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez Before the Committee on House Administration

"The MOVE Act’s enactment in 2009 was the most important advancement in the area of military and overseas voter law in more than 20 years," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




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Statement of Assistant Attorney General for the Civil DivisionTony West Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee

"Central to our mission is the recovery of taxpayer dollars that are lost to fraud, waste and abuse," said Assistant Attorney General West




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Secretary Napolitano and Attorney General Holder Form Joint Task Force to Assist Mexico’s Investigation into Yesterday’s Shooting of Two ICE Agents in Mexico

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder today met to discuss the shooting by unknown assailants of two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents in the line of duty yesterday while driving in Mexico.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Individuals Plead Guilty in Connection with Costa Rica-based Business Opportunity Fraud Ventures

Two individuals pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for their roles in business opportunity fraud schemes.



  • OPA Press Releases

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More Than 100 Members and Associates of Transnational Organized Crime Groups Charged with Offenses Including Bank Fraud, Kidnapping, Racketeering and Health Care Fraud

One hundred and two members and associates of transnational organized criminal groups operating in the United States have been charged in indictments unsealed today in Los Angeles; Santa Ana, Calif.; Miami and Denver.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Statement of the Attorney General on the Shootings in Elkins, West Virginia

"Today’s shootings in Elkins, West Virginia, demonstrate yet again the danger that our nation’s law enforcement officers confront on a daily basis."



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Virginia Businessmen Charged with Illegally Reimbursing Senate and Presidential Campaign Contributions

A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., today returned an indictment charging William P. Danielczyk Jr. and Eugene R. Biagi with reimbursing $186,600 in contributions to the Senate and Presidential campaign committees of a candidate for federal office, and obstructing the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the FBI.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Joint U.S.-Croatia Statement on Preventing and Combating Serious Crime Agreement

The United States and Croatia today signed an Agreement on Preventing and Combating Serious Crime.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Three Plead Guilty to Civil Rights Conspiracy in Connection with Cross Burning in Athens, Louisiana

“Driven by bigotry and hate, the defendants threatened a member of their own family with violence simply because she associated with persons of another race,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division Speaks at Armenian Power Takedown Press Conference

"I am pleased to be here today with my friend, U.S. Attorney Birotte, and our law enforcement partners to announce these indictments, and the arrest of more than 80 members and associates of transnational organized crime groups, including a particularly powerful one based here in California."




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Justice Department Announces Settlement with Developer of Idaho Condominium Complex

A developer of a condominium complex in Post Falls, Idaho, has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act by developing the complex with features that made it inaccessible to persons with disabilities, announced the Department of Justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Press Conference on Medicare Fraud Strike Force Actions

"As today’s arrests prove, the federal government is working aggressively to pursue health care criminals around the country and to bring offenders to justice."