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Program Director and Therapist from Miami-Area Mental Health Care Corporation Convicted for Participating in $205 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Program director Lydia Ward, 47, and therapist Nichole Eckert, 35, were each found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Patient Recruiters Sentenced in Miami for Roles in $50 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Anthony Roberts, 45, and Derek Alexander, 39, both of Miami, were each sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. in the Southern District of Florida.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to Life in Prison in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against the United States since 9/11

Earlier today, Adis Medunjanin, age 34, a Queens, N.Y., resident who joined al-Qaeda, then plotted and attempted to commit suicide terrorist attacks, was sentenced in the Eastern District of New York to life in prison for multiple federal terrorism offenses.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Police of Puerto Rico Officer Sentenced to 181 Months in Prison for Providing Armed Security for Drug Transaction

Yamil Navedo Ramirez, 39, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Juan M. Perez-Gimenez in the District of Puerto Rico.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the American Conference Institute’s 28th National Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

"Nothing is more important than curbing corruption around the world – and we must, and we will, continue to do everything we can to ensure that young people across the globe can dream big dreams without having to worry that a corrupt leader will extinguish them," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer.




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Assistant Attorney General Perez Speaks at the George Washington University Law School Symposium

"Let’s work to prevent fraud, but let’s not erect new, unnecessary requirements that have a discriminatory impact. Let’s have a debate on the merits without trying to make it harder for our perceived opponents to vote," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




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Assistant Attorney General Perez Speaks at the Grand Opening of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro

"We are a nation of great principles of religious freedom. But as we have learned, these principles are not self-executing. We have to work hard to preserve them," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




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Nearly $1 Million Now Available to Support Partnerships Offering Education and Workforce Training for Incarcerated Individuals Exiting Prisons

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education announced today a new, nearly $1 million grant fund entitled, “Promoting Reentry Success through Continuity of Educational Opportunities”, that will invest in innovative programs preparing incarcerated individuals to successfully reenter society with the support of education and workforce training.



  • OPA Press Releases

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United States Sues Houston-based KBR and Kuwaiti Subcontractor for False Claims on Contracts to House American Troops in Iraq

The United States has filed a civil complaint against Kellogg, Brown & Root Services Inc. (KBR) and First Kuwaiti Trading Company for submitting inflated claims for the delivery and installation of trailers to house troops in Iraq.



  • OPA Press Releases

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New Mexico Man Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud

Douglas Kuester, 43, a tax preparer from Silver City, N.M., was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for filing false claims and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Kuester was also ordered to pay $911,000 in restitution and will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission to Hold Workshop on Patent Assertion Entity Activities

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that they will hold a joint public workshop on Dec. 10, 2012, to explore the impact of patent assertion entity (PAE) activities on innovation and competition and the implications for antitrust enforcement and policy.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Detroit-Area Nurse Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Role in $13.8 Million Home Health Care Fraud Scheme

Anthony Parkman, 41, of Southfield, Mich., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen in the Eastern District of Michigan.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Executives of Stanford Financial Group Entities Convicted for Roles in Fraud Scheme

A Houston federal jury has convicted Gilbert T. Lopez Jr., the former chief accounting officer of Stanford Financial Group Company, and Mark J. Kuhrt, the former global controller of Stanford Financial Group Global Management, for their roles in helping Robert Allen Stanford perpetrate a fraud scheme involving Stanford International Bank (SIB).



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Group of Owned and Affiliated Florida Hospitals Agree to Pay US $10.1 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Morton Plant Mease Health Care Inc. and its affiliated hospitals (Morton Plant) have agreed to pay $10,169,114 to the federal government to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for services rendered to Medicare patients, the Justice Department announced today. Morton Plant owns and operates, or is affiliated with, Morton Plant Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Mease Countryside Hospital and Mease Dunedin Hospital. These hospitals are part of the BayCare Health System in Florida’s Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.



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Iranian National and His Company Charged in Plot Involving Export of Military Antennas from the United States

Amin Ravan, a citizen of Iran, and his Iran-based company, IC Market Iran, have been charged in an indictment unsealed today with conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, and violating the Arms Export Control Act in connection with the unlawful export of 55 military antennas from the United States to Singapore and Hong Kong.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Colorado Tax Defier Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Fraud and Tax Conspiracy

Curtis L. Morris, age 43, of Elizabeth, Colo., was sentenced Monday in Denver to 120 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Judge Blackburn also ordered Morris to pay $$1,916,831 in restitution to the IRS.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group Members Announce Charges Against Credit Suisse

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group Co-Chair New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today filed a Martin Act complaint against Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its affiliates for making fraudulent misrepresentations and omissions to promote the sale of RMBS to investors.



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Justice Department Enters into Settlement Agreement to Reform the East Haven, Conn., Police Department

The Justice Department today announced that it has entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with the town of East Haven, Conn., to resolve the department’s complaint alleging that the East Haven Police Department (EHPD) engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful discrimination against individuals on account of race, color or national origin. The agreement also resolves allegations that EHPD engaged in a pattern or practice of use of excessive force and unconstitutional searches and seizures. The department and town jointly filed the agreement in federal district court today seeking the court’s approval and continued jurisdiction to enforce its terms.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Florida’s Technological Research and Development Authority Pays $15 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations

The Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) has agreed to pay $15 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with grants from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the Department of Commerce, the Justice Department announced today. TRDA, which was created by the Florida legislature as a special district, owns and operates a system of incubator facilities to nurture small businesses by providing low-rent office space and business development assistance.



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Two Plead Guilty in Miami for Roles in $63 Million Mental Health Care Fraud Scheme

–A registered nurse pleaded guilty today and a former program coordinator pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with a health care fraud scheme involving defunct health provider Health Care Solutions Network Inc.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Executive at Florida-Based Lender Processing Services Inc. Admits Role in Mortgage-Related Document Fraud Scheme

A former executive of Lender Processing Services Inc. (LPS) – a publicly traded company based in Jacksonville, Fla. – pleaded guilty today, admitting her participation in a six-year scheme to prepare and file more than 1 million fraudulently signed and notarized mortgage-related documents with property recorders’ offices throughout the United States.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Hungarian Woman Pleads Guilty in Tennessee for Role in International Fraud Scheme Involving Online Marketplace Websites

Beatrix Boka, 34, of Hungary, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger in the Middle District of Tennessee to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

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California Jewelry Store Owner Convicted of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Conspiracy to Launder the Proceeds of Bank Fraud

A federal jury sitting in Santa Ana, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, convicted Safieh Fard of one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and one count of conspiracy to launder the proceeds of bank fraud obtained after submitting fraudulent mortgage applications, the Justice Department and IRS Criminal Investigation announced. Fard’s co-conspirators, her sister Sedigheh Bahramian, and two of her sons, Mohsen Kikalaye and Ahmad Kikalaye, pleaded guilty to related counts of bank fraud in 2010.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Members and One Associate of Violent North Carolina Latin Kings Gang Convicted for Racketeering Conspiracy

A federal jury in Winston-Salem, N.C., has convicted two members of the North Carolina Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN) and one associate of the gang for a racketeering conspiracy involving violent crimes and drug distribution for the benefit of the criminal organization.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Mexican National Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Trafficking the Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens

Jose Sergio Garcia-Ramirez, 37, formerly of Rockford, Ill., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí, in the District of Puerto Rico.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Chicago Massage Parlor Operator Sentenced to Life in Prison for Human Trafficking of Four Women

Alex Campbell, 45, of Glenview, Ill., a former northwest suburban massage parlor owner was sentenced today to life in federal prison for various crimes including sex-trafficking, forced labor, harboring illegal aliens, confiscating passports to further forced labor and extortion involving four foreign women whom he mentally and physically abused while forcing them to work for him, the Justice Department announced today. The defendant, who operated the Day and Night Spa on Northwest Highway in Mt. Prospect, Ill., used violence and threats of violence to force three women from the Ukraine and one from Belarus to work for him without pay and, at times, little to no subsistence between July 2008 and January 2010.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Los Angeles-Area Doctor Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud Medicare of Over $11 Million

Dr. Juan Tomas Van Putten, 66, of Ladera Heights, Calif., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge George Wu in the Central District of California to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Baylor University Medical Center to Pay More Than $900,000 for False Medicare Claims for Radiation Oncology Services

Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Health Care System and HealthTexas Provider Network have agreed to pay the United States $907,355 to settle allegations that Baylor submitted false claims to Medicare, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program for various radiation oncology services, including intensity modulated radiation therapy.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Launches Investigation of the Albuquerque, N.M., Police Department’s Use of Force

The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil investigation into use of force by the city of Albuquerque, N.M., Police Department (APD). The investigation will focus on allegations that APD officers engage in use of excessive force, including use of unreasonable deadly force, in their encounters with civilians.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the Justice Department’s American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month Event

"I think there's little doubt that over the last four years, the President, the Attorney General and this Department have placed high importance on improving tribal justice and public safety in Indian country," said Acting Associate Attorney General West.




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Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the Justice Department’s American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month Event

"In the years to come, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with tribal nations, and to building even more effective collaborations with our colleagues at the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies," said Deputy Attorney General Cole.




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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Project Longevity Announcement

"By identifying and targeting the groups that are responsible for violence throughout this city – and, eventually, the entire State of Connecticut – Project Longevity will send a powerful message to those who would harm their fellow citizens: that such acts will not be tolerated; that they will be swiftly met with clear, predictable consequences; and that help is available for all those who wish to break the cycle of violence and gang activity," said Attorney General Holder.




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Assistant Attorney General Perez Speaks at the Albuquerque, N.M., Police Department Press Conference

"The road ahead will be difficult. This work is not easy, but this independent review is critical to ensuring and preserving trust between a police department and the community it serves," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




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Amerigroup Corp.’s Divestiture of Its Virginia Operations Addresses Department of Justice’s Concerns with Wellpoint Inc.’s Proposed Acquisition of Amerigroup

The Department of Justice announced today that Amerigroup Corp.’s sale of its subsidiary, Amerigroup Virginia Inc., addresses the department’s concerns with WellPoint Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Amerigroup.



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Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Sussex County, Delaware, for Blocking Affordable Housing

The Justice Department announced today that it has settled a lawsuit against Sussex County, Del., and the Planning and Zoning Commission of Sussex County for race and national origin discrimination in violation of the Fair Housing Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Member of Latin Kings Street Gang and Two Associates Sentenced in Indiana for Racketeering Conspiracy and Related Crimes

A member of the Latin Kings street gang and two associates were sentenced to prison this week in Hammond, Ind., federal court for racketeering conspiracy and other crimes in support of the gang.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Puerto Rico Police Officers Charged with Extorting a Commonwealth Defendant for $50,000

Abimael Arroyo-Cruz, 30, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and Josue Becerril-Ramos, 36, of Carolina, Puerto Rico, were both charged in an indictment returned today in the District of Puerto Rico with one count of conspiracy, one count of federal programs bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion and one count of attempted extortion.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Used Car Dealer Sentenced to Prison for Odometer Tampering Fraud Scheme

Beau Michael Guidry of Baton Rouge, La., was sentenced today in connection with an odometer tampering scheme that defrauded victims in and around Louisiana, the Justice Department announced. U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana James J. Brady sentenced Guidry to a term of 20 months in prison and a term of one year of supervised release during which he cannot be involved in the sale of motor vehicles. In addition, the court ordered Guidry to pay $72,805.51 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Wisconsin Landlord and Former Manager for Discriminating on the Basis of Race

The Justice Department announced today that the manager and owner of the Geneva Terrace Apartments Inc. in La Crosse, Wis., have agreed to pay $57,500 to settle a lawsuit alleging they violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against African-Americans who were seeking to rent apartments at the complex.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Third Member of Internet Piracy Group "IMAGiNE" Sentenced in Virginia to 40 Months in Prison for Criminal Copyright Conspiracy

A third member of the Internet piracy group “IMAGiNE” was sentenced today to 40 months in prison, and a fifth member of IMAGiNE pleaded guilty today for his role in the conspiracy.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder on the Release of the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women Recommendations

Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the release of the recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.



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Former Director of Accounting and Outside Auditor of American Mortgage Specialists Inc. Plead Guilty to Roles in Fraud Against BNC National Bank

The former director of accounting and the former outside auditor of Arizona-based residential mortgage loan originator American Mortgage Specialists Inc. pleaded guilty in Arizona to conspiracy to defraud BNC National Bank and obstruction of justice, respectively.



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New Jersey Couple Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Pay Employment Taxes

James and Theresa DeMuro of Bridgewater, N.J., were each sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson to 44 months in prison, followed by three years supervised release.



  • OPA Press Releases

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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Half-Billion Dollar Fraud Scheme with Thousands of Victims Worldwide

A certified public accountant (CPA) and purported outside auditor for Provident Capital Indemnity Ltd. (PCI) was sentenced today in Richmond, Va., to 54 months in prison for his role in an approximately half-billion-dollar fraud scheme that affected more than 3,500 victims throughout the United States and abroad.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claim Against North Carolina Company

The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with Gamewell Mechanical Inc., a subsidiary of Woodfin Heating, Inc. based in Salisbury, N.C., resolving claims that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), when it terminated three employees based on the incorrect assumption that they were undocumented foreign nationals when they were in fact U.S. citizens.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Fair Financial Company CEO Sentenced In Indianapolis to 50 Years in Prison for Role in $200 Million Fraud Scheme

The former chief executive officer of Fair Financial Company, an Ohio financial services business, was sentenced today to serve 50 years in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud approximately 5,000 investors of more than $200 million.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks at the Justice Department’s Veteran’s Appreciation Day Event

"Today’s ceremony marks an important opportunity not only to recognize your courage, and your commitment to the cause of justice – but also to express our sincere appreciation for the inspiring examples you provide, and the service you’ve rendered to the department and to our country," said Deputy Attorney General Cole.




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Justice Department Settles Discrimination Claim Against Oregon Homecare Provider

The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with ComForcare In-Home Care & Senior Services, a home care provider for sick and elderly patients in Tigard, Ore. The agreement resolved claims that the provider violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), when it demanded unnecessary documentation from a newly naturalized citizen in response to an initial mismatch in E-Verify and then refused to hire her when she did not produce it.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Foreign National Pleads Guilty in Houston to Human Smuggling Charges

Kaushik Jayantibhai Thakkar, 33, an Indian national, pleaded guilty today at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr., in Houston, to one count of conspiracy to bring undocumented immigrants into the United States for profit and to one count of unlawfully bringing two undocumented immigrants into the United States for profit.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speak at Faith and Neighborhoods in Action: A Symposium to Address Economic Recovery Through Strong Communities and Job Creation

"Through the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative, the White House is leading a federal effort to spark economic growth in five cities and one region, helping them to maximize resources and leverage partnerships with businesses, philanthropies, and non-profit organizations," said Acting Associate Attorney General West.