w Former Owner of Salt Lake City Medical Equipment Supply Company Indicted and Three Company Employees Plead Guilty for Roles in Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 14:33:11 EDT A former owner of a Salt Lake City medical equipment supply company has been indicted and three former company employees have pleaded guilty for allegedly engaging in a $20 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Indictment Unsealed and “Wanted” Posters Issued for Fugitives Charged with Multimillion Dollar International Cyber Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 14:56:23 EDT Earlier today, charges were unsealed against Romanian fugitive Nicolae Popescu, the leader of an international organized crime syndicate that ran a multimillion dollar cyber fraud scheme, and six other fugitives charged with participating in the same scheme. Interpol has issued red notices to foreign law enforcement partners seeking assistance in the apprehension of these fugitives, and the FBI has also released “Wanted” posters to facilitate their arrests. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Two Plead Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy in $10.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 15:26:14 EDT Two men from Miami have pleaded guilty to laundering millions of dollars obtained through a $10.5 million Medicare fraud scheme using shell companies they controlled. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Charges California Apartment Owner and Staff with Discrimination Against Families with Children By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 18:04:23 EDT The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owner and operators of a Fremont, Calif., apartment complex, alleging that they had discriminated against families with children in violation of the Fair Housing Act by prohibiting children from playing in the common grassy areas of the complex. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Announces Settlement Agreement with Everett, Wash., Battery Company to Protect Employment Rights of Returning Military Reservist By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 14:04:49 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has reached a settlement with All Battery Sales and Service (ABS) of Everett, Wash., to resolve a lawsuit it filed on behalf of Curtis Kirk, a U.S. Army reservist. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Former Congressman Richard G. Renzi Sentenced for Extortion and Bribery in Illegal Federal Land Swap By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:17:06 EDT Former U.S. Congressman Rick Renzi was sentenced today to serve 36 months in prison following his June conviction by a federal jury in Tucson, Ariz., for extortion, bribery, insurance fraud, money laundering and racketeering. Renzi’s co-defendant, James Sandlin, was also sentenced today to serve 18 months in prison for his role in the extortion, bribery and money laundering scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Obtains $167,500 in Discrimination Settlement with Reno, Nev., Apartment Complex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:22:06 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the U.S. District Court of Nevada has approved a settlement in which the owners and operators of Rosewood Park Apartments, a 902 unit apartment complex in Reno, Nev., will pay $167,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging discrimination against persons with disabilities who use assistance animals. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Rabobank Admits Wrongdoing in Libor Investigation, Agrees to Pay $325 Million Criminal Penalty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 08:08:14 EDT Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A. (Rabobank) has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to pay a $325 million penalty to resolve violations arising from Rabobank’s submissions for the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor), which are leading benchmark interest rates around the world, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Owners and Supervisor of Ambulance Transportation Company Plead Guilty in Los Angeles for Role in Ambulance Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 08:45:17 EDT The owners and supervisor of Alpha Ambulance Inc. (Alpha), a now-defunct Los Angeles-area ambulance transportation company, have pleaded guilty in connection with an ambulance fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Asks Federal Court to Shut Down North Mississippi Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 17:16:05 EDT The United States has sued Eric Hardaway, aka Eric Brittenum, and Yvonne Hardaway, seeking to bar them and their business, Hardaway Taxx, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Files Lawsuit in Massachusetts Against Iron Workers Union Trustees and Pension Fund to Enforce the Employment Rights of Navy Reserve Member By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 18:38:17 EDT The Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz announced today the filing of a complaint alleging that the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 7 (the union) and Iron Workers District Council of New England Pension Fund (the Pension Fund) willfully violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by failing to credit U.S. Navy Reserve Member Thomas Shea with service time while he was serving in the armed forces in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Jointly Select Juan Mattos Jr. to Oversee Reform of the Puerto Rico Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 18:53:45 EDT The Justice Department announced today that, jointly with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, it is moving in the U.S. District Court for the appointment of Juan Mattos Jr. as Technical Compliance Advisor (TCA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
w US Government Intervenes in False Claims Lawsuit Against United States Investigations Services for Failing to Perform Required Quality Reviews of Background Investigations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:09:07 EDT The government has intervened in a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act against United States Investigations Services LLC (USIS) in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, alleging that USIS, located in Falls Church, Va., failed to perform quality control reviews in connection with its background investigations for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening a Witness in a Federal Criminal Tax Trial By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:10:10 EDT The Justice Department announced today that Anthony Williams, a resident of Baton Rouge, La., pleaded guilty today to one count of threatening to retaliate against a witness in a federal criminal tax trial. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down South Texas Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 10:02:53 EDT The United States has filed a lawsuit asking a federal district court in McAllen, Texas, to permanently bar Hector Rangel Jr. from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Owner of Texas-based Ambulance Service Convicted of Health Care Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 16:24:43 EDT A federal jury in Houston has convicted Gwendolyn Climmons-Johnson, 53, of multiple counts of health care fraud for submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for ambulance services. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w California Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS and Aggravated Identity Theft By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:36:45 EDT Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division Kathryn Keneally and U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag for the Northern District of California announced that Noemi Rubio Baez, of Salinas, Calif., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false claims for tax refunds with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to aggravated identity theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Owner and Marketer of Louisiana Medical Equipment Supply Company Indicted for Roles in $3 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 13:03:53 EDT The owner of a Louisiana medical equipment supply company and a marketer who worked for the company have been indicted for allegedly engaging in a $3 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Utah Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 16:08:12 EDT The Justice Department announced that on Nov. 1, 2013, it asked a federal court to bar Sergio Fernando Sosa and his company, Sergio Centro Latino, from preparing tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Jamaican Citizen Pleads Guilty in Connection with International Lottery Scheme Based in Jamaica By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 15:59:21 EDT Oneike Mickhale Barnett pleaded guilty today in connection with a lottery scheme based in Jamaica that fraudulently induced elderly victims in the U.S. to send Barnett and his co-conspirators thousands of dollars to cover fees for lottery winnings that victims had not won. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Two Florida Residents Arrested in Connection with International Lottery Scam By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 09:58:09 EST Two individuals charged in connection with the operation of a fraudulent lottery scheme were arrested today in south Florida following their indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami on Oct. 31, 2013. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Michigan, New York and Ohio By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 15:06:17 EST The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor elections on Nov. 5, 2013, in Detroit and Hamtramck, Mich.; Orange County, N.Y.; and Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties, Ohio. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Debt Collection Employee and Son-in-Law Sent to Prison for Identity Theft Tax Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 18:42:25 EST Quentin Collick of Montgomery, Ala., and Deatrice Williams of Duluth, Ga., were sentenced Nov. 1, 2013, to serve 85 and 51 months in prison, respectively, announced Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama George L. Beck Jr. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w New York Check Cashing Company and Owner Plead Guilty for Roles in $19 Million Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 Nov 2013 13:40:51 EST Belair Payroll Services Inc. (Belair), a multi-branch check cashing company in Flushing, N.Y., and its owner, Craig Panzera, 47, pleaded guilty today for failing to follow reporting and anti-money laundering requirements for more than $19 million in transactions, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Irish National Pleads Guilty in New York to Crimes Relating to Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Rhinoceros Horns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 Nov 2013 14:56:16 EST Michael Slattery Jr., 25, an Irish national, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act in relation to illegal rhinoceros horn trafficking, announced Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, and Loretta E. Lynch, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Alabama Husband and Wife Plead Guilty to Identity Theft Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 Nov 2013 17:52:51 EST Mary Young and Christian Young each pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of aggravated identity theft for their role in a stolen identity refund fraud (SIRF) scheme, announced Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama George L. Beck Jr. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Navy Commander Charged with Accepting $100,000 Cash and Prostitutes in Widening International Bribery Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Nov 2013 18:32:32 EST A third senior U.S. Navy official has been charged in a complaint unsealed today with accepting prostitutes, luxury travel and $100,000 cash from a foreign defense contractor in exchange for classified and internal U.S. Navy information, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w New Hampshire Man Charged with Passing Fraudulent Documents in Connection with His Sale of Black Rhinoceros Horns for $35,000 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 11:30:56 EST Ari B. Goldenberg, 46, of Milton, N.H., was charged today with trafficking in and making a false record for illegally selling a black rhinoceros head mount to an undercover U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) special agent. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Detroit-Area Home Health Care Agency Owner Sentenced for Role in $2.2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 11:53:44 EST The owner of a Detroit-area home health care agency was sentenced today to serve 65 months in prison for her leading role in a $2.2 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Home Health Agency Owner Sentenced for Role in $13.8 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 15:42:38 EST Detroit-area resident Javed Rehman was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison today for his role in a $13.8 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Federal Court in Ohio Shuts Down Nation’s Fourth-Largest Tax-Preparation Firm and Bars CEO from Tax-Preparation Business By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 15:51:32 EST Judge Finds that Instant Tax Service Franchisor Defrauded Customers, Obstructed the IRS and Violated Court Orders on Lending Practices Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Chicago Lawyer Permanently Barred from Promoting Tax-Fraud Schemes and Preparing Related Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 18:47:47 EST A federal court has permanently barred Gary J. Stern from promoting tax fraud schemes and from preparing related tax returns, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Requires US Airways and American Airlines to Divest Facilities at Seven Key Airports to Enhance System-wide Competition and Settle Merger Challenge By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:01:45 EST The Department of Justice today announced that it is requiring US Airways Group Inc. and American Airlines’ parent corporation, AMR Corp. to divest slots and gates at key constrained airports across the country to low cost carrier airlines (LCCs) in order to enhance system-wide competition in the airline industry resulting in more choices and more competitive airfares for consumers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Former Defense Contractor Employee and Wife Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud Millions in Scheme Involving Supplies to Afghan National Army By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:13:37 EST Keith Johnson, 46, and his wife, Angela Johnson, 44, of Maryville, Tenn., pleaded guilty today to their roles in a $9.7 million procurement fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Brooklyn Clinic Owner Sentenced for Role in $77 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:12:47 EST The owner of a Brooklyn medical clinic was sentenced today to serve 15 years in prison for her leading role in a $77 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Court Authorizes IRS to Issue Summonses for Records Relating to U.S. Taxpayers with Offshore Bank Accounts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:39:54 EST Five Banks Directed to Produce Records for Accounts at Zurcher Kantonalbank, The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited and Affiliates Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer Delivers Remarks at the Conference Call Regarding the Justice Department’s Proposed Settlement with US Airways and American Airlines By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:26:09 EST The Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement with US Airways and American Airlines that, if approved by the court, would resolve our lawsuit challenging their proposed merger. Under the agreement, we are requiring US Airways and American Airlines to divest critically important facilities at seven key airports across the country Full Article Speech
w Internet Pharmacy Website Affiliate Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Return By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:10:27 EST Pamela B. Reid pleaded guilty last night to one count of filing a false individual income tax return for the 2006 tax year, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department Officials Raise Awareness of Disaster Fraud Hotline Following Typhoon Haiyan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:58:22 EST The Department of Justice, the FBI, and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public that there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Typhoon Haiyan should be reported to the toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w City of Shreveport Agrees to $342 Million Sewer System Upgrade to Comply with Clean Water Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:53:48 EST The city of Shreveport, La., has agreed to make significant upgrades to reduce overflows from its sanitary sewer system and pay a $650,000 civil penalty to resolve Clean Water Act (CWA) violations stemming from illegal discharges of raw sewage, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The state of Louisiana, a co-plaintiff in this case, will receive half of the civil penalty. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 09:25:10 EST As we gather for this year’s Tribal Nations Conference – here in our nation’s capital, during American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month – it’s appropriate that we celebrate these and other momentous achievements. Full Article Speech
w Associate Attorney General Tony West Delivers Remarks at the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:47:54 EST For at-risk young people—and particularly those affected by violence—the services provided by the Affordable Care Act represent more than an insurance policy; they are a lifeline. They are the tools of prevention and reorientation that can mean the difference between a life of fulfillment, and one that perpetuates a cycle of trauma and violence. Full Article Speech
w Department of Defense Employee Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Claim for Housing Allowance By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 14:50:17 EST A Department of Defense (DOD) employee has pleaded guilty to filing a false claim with the DOD while stationed in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to fraudulently obtain $64,000 in housing allowance, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Associate Attorney General Tony West Delivers Remarks at the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 10:04:03 EST Now perpetrators of domestic and dating violence will be held accountable, whether they’re Indian or non-Indian, and countless Indian women will enjoy safer lives as a result. Section 904 of VAWA 2013 recognizes the inherent power of “participating tribes” to exercise “special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction” over certain defendants, regardless of their Indian or non-Indian status, who commit acts of domestic violence or dating violence or violate certain protection orders in Indian country. Full Article Speech
w Two Florida Men Convicted in Philadelphia of Conspiring and Trafficking in Protected Reptiles By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:59:27 EST A federal jury today found Robroy MacInnes, 54, of Inverness, Fla., and Robert Keszey, 47, of Bushnell, Fla., guilty of conspiracy to traffic in state and federally protected reptiles. MacInnes also was convicted of trafficking in protected timber rattlesnakes in violation of the Lacey Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Joint Statement Following the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 16:37:54 EST Attorney General Eric Holder and Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Rand Beers today hosted an EU/U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial with their counterparts in the European Union: Lithuanian Minister of Justice Juozas Bernatonis and Lithuanian Vice Minister of Interior Elvinas Jankevicius representing the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU; Greek Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights Charalampos Athanasiou representing the incoming Greek Presidency of the EU; and European Commission Vice President Viviane Reding and Commissioner Cecilia Malmström representing the EU Commission. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Delivers Remarks at Money Laundering Enforcement Conference in Washington, D.C. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 10:58:35 EST As all of you know, banking and financial services play a vital role in our country. They spawn growth, spread risk, facilitate the creation of jobs, and generally drive our economy. Without it, much of the prosperity that allows for our freedoms and our power in the world would not exist. Full Article Speech
w Six Investors Indicted for Their Roles in Bid-Rigging Scheme at Municipal Tax Lien Auctions in New Jersey By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 12:08:56 EST A federal grand jury in Newark, N.J., returned an indictment against six investors for their roles in a conspiracy to rig bids at auctions conducted by New Jersey municipalities for the sale of tax liens. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Justice Department, Federal and State Partners Secure Record $13 Billion Global Settlement with JPMorgan for Misleading Investors About Securities Containing Toxic Mortgages By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:41:51 EST The Justice Department, along with federal and state partners, today announced a $13 billion settlement with JPMorgan - the largest settlement with a single entity in American history - to resolve federal and state civil claims arising out of the packaging, marketing, sale and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) by JPMorgan, Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual prior to Jan. 1, 2009. As part of the settlement, JPMorgan acknowledged it made serious misrepresentations to the public - including the investing public - about numerous RMBS transactions. The resolution also requires JPMorgan to provide much needed relief to underwater homeowners and potential homebuyers, including those in distressed areas of the country. The settlement does not absolve JPMorgan or its employees from facing any possible criminal charges. Full Article OPA Press Releases
w Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, Delivers Remarks at the Warren Boys and Girls Club Press Event By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 16:08:24 EST The Honorable Karol V. Mason delivers remarks highlighting the importance of mentoring programs for young people in the Metro Atlanta Area. Full Article Speech