at Singapore Ship Operator and Engineers Plead Guilty to Crimes Related to Pollution from Cargo Ship Traveling to Mobile, Alabama By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:21:38 EDT Target Ship Management Pte. Ltd., the operator of the M/V Gaurav Prem, pleaded guilty to a violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships for failing to properly maintain an oil record book as required by federal and international law, as well as making material false statements during a U.S. Coast Guard inspection of the ship at the port of Mobile in September 2011. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Conference of National Black Churches Annual Consultation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 10:24:44 EDT "In so many different ways – in classrooms and courtrooms, in houses of worship and halls of justice, and in your own homes and neighborhoods – you are working to protect the progress that has marked our nation’s past, and to strengthen its future," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
at 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
at 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
at Justice Department Reaches $21 Million Settlement to Resolve Allegations of Lending Discrimination by Suntrust Mortgage By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 15:07:05 EDT SunTrust Mortgage Inc., the mortgage lending subsidiary of the nation’s 11th-largest commercial bank, has agreed to pay $21 million to resolve a lawsuit by the Department of Justice that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination that increased loan prices for many of the qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers who obtained loans between 2005 and 2009 through SunTrust Mortgage’s regional retail offices and national network of mortgage brokers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Plastics Producer SABIC Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution from Leaking Equipment to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations in Indiana and Alabama By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 15:05:08 EDT SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC, and its subsidiary, SABIC Innovative Plastics Mt. Vernon LLC, have agreed to pay an approximately $1 million civil penalty and improve leak detection and repair practices to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at chemical manufacturing facilities in Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Burkville, Ala., the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at 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
at 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
at Fourteen Defendants Plead Guilty for Their Roles in Scheme to Fraudulently Control Home Owners Associations in Las Vegas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 09:42:19 EDT Fourteen individuals pleaded guilty yesterday in the District of Nevada for their roles in the scheme to fraudulently take control of various home owners’ associations (HOAs) in the Las Vegas area. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at New England Organized Crime Associate Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 18:25:19 EDT Richard Bonafiglia, 58, of Providence, R.I., an admitted associate of the New England La Cosa Nostra was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 84 months in federal prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy to shakedown several Rhode Island adult entertainment businesses for protection money. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to Upgrade Sewer System to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 14:07:24 EDT A settlement between the United States and the municipality of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, will resolve violations of the Clean Water Act and specifically violations of its Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at Former American Samoan Department of Education Employee Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 18:48:44 EDT Gustav Nauer, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra in the District of Hawaii. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Office on Violence Against Women Announces Agreements to Cross-Designate Tribal Prosecutors in Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 15:00:16 EDT The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced today that four tribes in Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota will be awarded cooperative agreements to cross-designate tribal prosecutors to pursue violence against women cases in both tribal and federal courts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Upgrade Sewer System to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 15:34:58 EDT Under the agreement, which was lodged by the Department of Justice in federal court today, the city will reduce the amount of sewage and other pollutants that flow out of 16 combined sewer points into the Raritan River and Arthur Kill. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at 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
at 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
at Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Justice Department’s LGBT Pride Month Celebration By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 11:21:00 EDT "Here at the Justice Department, we can all be proud of the robust efforts that are underway to combat discrimination – in all its forms – in every community, every workplace, and every school," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
at 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
at Texas-based Medical Device Manufacturer Pays U.S. $34 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 13:03:13 EDT Orthofix Inc., a Texas-based manufacturer of medical devices, has agreed to pay the United States $34,234,263 to settle allegations under the civil False Claims Act relating to the company’s sale of bone growth stimulator devices, the Justice Department announced today. The company has also agreed to plead guilty to a felony of obstruction of a federal audit, and to pay a $7,765,737 criminal fine. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Justice Department Files Complaint Against Forsyth County, North Carolina, Sheriff for Violating the Employment Rights of Army National Guard Soldier By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 17:26:54 EDT The Justice Department announced today the filing of a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina against Forsyth County, N.C., and the county sheriff, William T. Schatzman, for violating the employment rights of North Carolina Army National Guard soldier Michael Russell under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at Four More Defendants Plead Guilty in Indiana to Participating in International Child Pornography Distribution Ring By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 18:47:34 EDT Shaun Kuykendall, 32, of South Carolina; Richard Szulborski, 21, of Pennsylvania; Javahn Algere, 23, of Louisiana; and Jeremy Labrec, 22, of Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at 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
at 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
at 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
at 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
at 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
at Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the Assignment of U.S. Attorneys to Lead Investigations of Possible Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 18:47:09 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the assignment of U.S. Attorneys to lead investigations of possible unauthorized disclosures of classified information. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the SEED School of Washington, D.C. 2012 Commencement Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Sat, 9 Jun 2012 09:35:17 EDT "Yet – if, as they say, what’s past is prologue – and if this class’s record of achievement is any indication – then I believe there is good reason for confidence in the future that your generation will create, and the legacy of progress that each of you will carry forward – and build upon," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
at Miami-Area Resident Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Participating in Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:39:50 EDT Leyanes Placeres, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Seitz in the Southern District of Florida. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the League of Women Voters Convention By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:17:52 EDT "As Attorney General, it is my obligation – and solemn duty – to ensure that the rights of all Americans are protected. And I’m proud that, under this Administration, our Civil Rights Division – and its Voting Section – have taken meaningful steps to ensure integrity, independence, and transparency in our enforcement of the Voting Rights Act," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
at Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Plyler v. Doe 30th Anniversary Event By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:50:02 EDT "The benefits of Plyler are felt by all of us, wherever we or our ancestors were born. Three decades after Plyler, immigrant students have made and continue to make vast and deep contributions to America’s cultural, civic, and economic landscape," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
at 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
at 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
at Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the 2012 Oklahoma Sovereignty Symposium By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:21:02 EDT "Respect for tribal sovereignty, which inspires the title of this Symposium, underlies all of the work that the Department of Justice does to further tribal justice and public safety," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
at Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich Announces Departure from Department of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:36:17 EDT The Justice Department announced today that Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs Ronald Weich will be leaving the department to join the University of Baltimore School of Law as its new dean. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Justice Department Transfers 1,000 Acres of Land in Cannon County, Tenn., to State of Tennessee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:48:17 EDT The U.S. Department of Justice has transferred to the state of Tennessee approximately 1,000 acres of undeveloped land in Cannon County, Tenn., as a result of a federal criminal conviction of two individuals for distribution of marijuana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Women Mayors Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:28:33 EDT "At the Department of Justice, we are fully engaged in combating human trafficking, with many components deeply involved in this fight," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
at 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
at Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Bribery Related to Contracting in Support of Iraq War By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:41:40 EDT Derrick L. Shoemake, 50, of Moreno Valley, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee in the Central District of California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at North Carolina Resident Found Guilty of Terrorism Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:15:46 EDT Today in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina, a jury found Anes Subasic, 35, guilty of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Allen Stanford Sentenced to 110 Years in Prison for Orchestrating $7 Billion Investment Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:54:24 EDT R. Allen Stanford, the former board of directors chairman of Stanford International Bank (SIB), was sentenced today in Houston to a total of 110 years in prison for orchestrating a 20-year investment fraud scheme in which he misappropriated $7 billion from SIB to finance his personal businesses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Check Cashers in Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Los Angeles Charged for Alleged Violations of Anti-Money Laundering Laws By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:37:20 EDT Seven individuals and four check cashing businesses were charged today in the Eastern District of New York and the Central District of California for their alleged roles in separate schemes to violate the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Two Members of the U.S. Army Plead Guilty to Bribery Charges Related to Fuel Theft in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:51:37 EDT Sergeant Regionald Dixon, 30, pleaded guilty yesterday in the District of Hawaii to one count of bribery and Specialist Larry Emmons, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery on June 8, 2012. Full Article OPA Press Releases
at Owner and Operator of Halfway House Company Pleads Guilty for Role in Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:00:35 EDT Hassan Collins, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to receive and pay health care fraud kickbacks before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres. Full Article OPA Press Releases