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Georgia Couple Pleads Guilty to Human Trafficking Charges

Juna Gwedolyn Babb, 56, and Michael J. Babb, 55, both of Ellenwood, Ga., pleaded guilty today in federal court to felony offenses related to a scheme to compel the labor of a young woman from the Kingdom of Swaziland in southern Africa.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Federal Court Bars Three Men from Promoting “Intermediary Transaction” Tax Shelter

A federal court has permanently barred Charles Klink, Caleb Grodsky and Steven Block from promoting abusive tax shelters known as “intermediary transactions” and “distressed asset trusts.”



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department and EPA Officials Focus on Environmental Justice in Newark, New Jersey

Senior environmental enforcement officials from the U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toured sites in Newark, N.J., today and met with federal partners and with environmental and community organizations to discuss mutual efforts to address environmental challenges and enforce environmental laws, and in particular efforts to achieve environmental justice.



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Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Louisiana Alleging Violations of the National Voter Registration Act

The complaint, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, alleges that Louisiana has violated the NVRA by failing to provide voter registration services at offices providing public assistance and serving persons with disabilities in Louisiana.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Florida Telecommunications Company, Two Executives, an Intermediary and Two Former Haitian Government Officials Indicted for Their Alleged Participation in Foreign Bribery Scheme

Cinergy Telecommunications Inc., Cinergy’s president and director, the president of Florida-based Telecom Consulting Services Corp. and two former Haitian government officials have been charged in a superseding indictment for their alleged roles in a foreign bribery, wire fraud and money laundering scheme.



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Justice Department Sues to Stop Nationwide “Welfare Benefit Plan” Tax Scheme

The Justice Department is seeking to block a husband and wife from operating a scheme that allegedly helps high-income individuals attempt to improperly avoid income taxes by funneling money through purported “welfare benefit plans.”



  • OPA Press Releases

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Manager of Miami Health Care Agency and Registered Nurse Plead Guilty in $25 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

The manager of a Miami health care agency and a registered nurse pleaded guilty today for their participation in a $25 million home health Medicare fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Washington Business Owner Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Participating in Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Making False Claims on Government Contract

A founder and president of a Washington-area design firm was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud the United States in the award of a government contract for U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).



  • OPA Press Releases

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New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Computer Intrusion into Former Employer’s Computer Systems

Lawrence R. Marino, a 41-year-old from Goffstown, N.H., pleaded guilty today in federal court to computer intrusion, stemming from his repeated hacks into his former employer’s computer systems.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Federal Court Bars Idaho Woman from Promoting “Form 1099-OID” Tax Scheme

A federal court has permanently barred Penny Jones from preparing federal tax returns for others and from promoting the use of false tax forms.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Pennsylvania Man Indicted for Soliciting Jihadists to Kill Americans

Emerson Winfield Begolly, 22, of New Bethlehem, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., today for allegedly soliciting Islamic extremists to engage in acts of terrorism within the United States and posting bomb-making instruction materials online.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Owner of Fraudulent Physical Therapy Company Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud Scheme

A Miami-area resident and owner of a fraudulent physical therapy company in Lakeland, Fla., pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Federal Court Permanently Shuts Down Iowa Tax Preparers

A federal court has permanently barred Howard Musin, his wife Jill Schwartz-Musin and their three companies from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Pittsburgh Crips Gang Member Sentenced to 128 Months in Prison

A Pittsburgh man was sentenced today to 128 months in prison for conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise related to his membership in a Pittsburgh Crips gang, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton of the Western District of Pennsylvania.



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Justice Department Files a Lawsuit Alleging Employment Discrimination by a Georgia Poultry Processing Plant

The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against Mar-Jac Poultry Inc., a poultry processing plant in Gainesville, Ga., alleging that Mar-Jac requires all newly hired non-U.S. citizens to present documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security in order to secure their jobs, but the company does not require U.S. citizens to show any specific documentation.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Maryland Man for FACE Act Violation at a Planned Parenthood

The Justice Department today filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Richard Retta for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act).



  • OPA Press Releases

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Statement of Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli Before the Committee on Indian Affairs on Violence Against Native American Women

"In anticipation of this year’s reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Department has been engaging in comprehensive discussions, including formal consultations with Indian tribes, about how best to protect the safety of Native women."




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Organized Romanian Criminal Groups Targeted by DOJ and Romanian Law Enforcement

An ongoing Internet fraud scheme conducted by several networks of organized cyber criminals in Romania and the United States has been disrupted as a result of a series of law enforcement actions coordinated since 2010 between Romanian and U.S. law enforcement, including numerous arrests and searches that took place yesterday in Romania.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Virginia Real Estate Businessman Pleads Guilty to Mortgage and Investment Fraud Schemes

Alexander Otis Matthews, a Virginia real estate businessman pleaded guilty today to fraud charges in connection with mortgage and investment schemes to obtain more than $12 million in fraudulent loans.



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Former President of Lee Dynamics International Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Bribery Related to Department of Defense Contracts in Iraq

The former president of Lee Dynamics International, a defense contractor providing services to the U.S. military in Iraq, pleaded guilty today to an indictment charging him with a scheme to bribe military officials in order to obtain government contracts, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax

Frank G. Bivings and Isabelle Blanco of Washington, D.C., co-owners of The Bivings Group Inc., pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from the failure to pay more than $2 million in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Owner of Miami Company Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Scheme to Defraud the U.S. Export-Import Bank

The owner of an investment planning company in Miami was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) of $5.2 million.



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D.C. Federal Court Bars Company from Promoting Alleged Tax Scheme Involving Improper Easements on Historic Buildings

A District of Columbia federal court has entered a permanent injunction order against Steven McClain and the Trust for Architectural Easements Inc. (formerly known as the National Architectural Trust).



  • OPA Press Releases

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Tax Defendant Pleads Guilty in Florida to Filing False Liens for $48.489 Billion Against Federal Law Enforcement

Mark D. Leitner entered a plea of guilty in the Northern District of Florida to filing false liens against federal law enforcement and corruptly endeavoring to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Michigan Businessman Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Defrauding the Federal E-Rate Program

The president and part owner of a Michigan-based Internet and technology services company was sentenced today to serve 15 months in prison for defrauding the federal E-Rate program.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Arkansas Men Plead Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Cross Burning

Tony Branscum, 25, and James Bradley “Brad” Branscum, 23, both of Salado, Ark., pleaded guilty today to criminal violations of housing rights related to their role in the Aug. 28, 2010, cross burning in front of an African American man’s apartment in Salado.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Charged with Conspiring to Act as Unregistered Agents of Pakistani Government

Two individuals have been charged with participating in a long-term conspiracy to act as agents of the Pakistani government in the United States without disclosing their affiliation with the Pakistani government as required by law.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Jersey City, N.J. to Upgrade and Repair Sewer System to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations

A settlement between the United States and the Jersey City, N.J. Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) will resolve Clean Water Act violations by JCMUA for failing to properly operate and maintain its combined sewer system.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Richmond, Virginia, Businessman Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Role in Investment Fraud Scheme Causing Millions in Losses

Julius Everett “Bud” Johnson, 62, a resident of Richmond, Va., was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for his role in an investment scheme resulting in millions of dollars in losses.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Executive of Taiwan Aftermarket Auto Lights Manufacturer Arrested and Indicted for Participation in Price-Fixing Conspiracy

An executive of a Taiwan manufacturer of aftermarket auto lights was indicted today for participating in a global conspiracy to fix the prices of aftermarket auto lights.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Court Bars Georgia Man from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

A federal court has permanently barred Cecil A. Collier from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Pennsylvania Anesthesiologist Pleads Guilty to Filing a False Document with the Internal Revenue Service

Eliseo Roquiz of Erie, Penn., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin of the Western District of Pennsylvania to charges of filing a false document with the Internal Revenue Service.



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Supervisor for Texas Natural Gas and Oil Drilling Company Pleads Guilty in Oklahoma to Negligent Violation of Clean Water Act

Gabriel Henson, a supervisor for Integrated Production Services, Inc., a Houston-based natural gas and oil drilling contractor, pleaded guilty to a negligent violation of the Clean Water Act in federal court in Muskogee, Okla.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division Speaks at the National District Attorneys Association Summer Conference

"As prosecutors, we occupy a unique role in the criminal justice system. Our job is not just to win cases, but also to do justice in every case."




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Attorney General Holder, Secretary Duncan Announce Effort to Respond to School-to-Prison Pipeline by Supporting Good Discipline Practices

Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the launch of the Supportive School Discipline Initiative, a collaborative project between the Departments of Justice and Education that will address the “school-to-prison pipeline” and the disciplinary policies and practices that can push students out of school and into the justice system.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Settles Allegations of Employment Discrimination by Louisiana Industrial Services Company

The Justice Department today reached a settlement with Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services and its subsidiary, Industrial Services LLC, resolving allegations that ISI, which provides craft services to industry, engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against non-citizens in the hiring and employment eligibility verification process.



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“Project Delirium” Results in Nearly 2,000 Arrests During 20-Month Operation, Seizures of More Than 12 Tons of Drugs and $62 Million in U.S. Currency

Approximately 1,985 individuals have been arrested on narcotics-related charges as part of a 20-month multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as “Project Delirium,” which targeted the La Familia Michoacana drug cartel.



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Department of Justice Proposes Legislation to Help Tribes Combat Violence Against Native Women in Indian Country

Today the Department of Justice proposed legislation that would significantly improve the safety of women in American Indian tribal communities and allow federal and tribal law-enforcement agencies to hold more perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their crimes.



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Longtime Associate of the New England La Cosa Nostra Pleads Guilty in Extortion and Racketeering Conspiracy

Thomas Iafrate, 70, of Johnston, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., today to participating in an extortion and racketeering conspiracy that shook down several Rhode Island businesses for “protection” payments.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Swiss International Bank's Former Head of North America Offshore Banking, Others Charged with Conspiracy

Markus Walder, former head of North America Offshore Banking at an international bank headquartered in Zurich; Susanne D. Rüegg Meier, a former manager with the international bank; Andreas Bachmann, a former banker at a subsidiary of the international bank; and Josef Dörig, the founder of a Swiss trust company, have been charged with conspiring with other Swiss bankers to defraud the United States.



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Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Speaks on Proposed Legislation to Combat Violence Against Native Women in Indian Country

"We believe that enacting reforms along these lines — dealing with tribal jurisdiction over crimes of domestic violence, tribal protection orders, and amendments to the Federal assault statute — would significantly improve the safety of women in tribal communities and would allow Federal and tribal law-enforcement agencies to hold more perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their crimes."




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Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor Announce Selection of Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams

The Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor announced today the selection of Pilot Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams (ACTeams) as part of a nationwide Human Trafficking Enhanced Enforcement Initiative designed to better coordinate federal criminal investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking offenses.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Cross Burning

Curtis Coffee, 19, of Salado, Ark., pleaded guilty today to criminal violations of housing rights related to his role in the Aug. 28, 2010, cross burning in front of an African-American man’s apartment in Salado.



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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Announcement of the Transnational Organized Crime Strategy

"It is a privilege to join with you – and with so many other key leaders and critical partners, as we unveil a cutting-edge, comprehensive strategy that will take our nation’s fight against transnational organized crime to the next level."




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U.S. Government Intervenes in False Claims Lawsuit Against Nurses’ Registry and Home Health Corporation

The United States has intervened in a lawsuit against Nurses’ Registry and Home Health Corporation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.



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Former Northern Virginia Resident Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Impeding the Internal Revenue Service

Thomas J. Ernst, formerly a resident of McLean and Arlington, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of corruptly endeavoring to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and one count of tax evasion for 2005.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Phoenix Men Convicted in Money Laundering and Tax Scheme

Gino Carlucci and Wayne Mounts, both residents of Arizona, have been convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Justice and IRS announced today.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Alabama Man Indicted for Lacey Act Wildlife Crimes

A Scottsboro, Ala., man was indicted today for the illegal possession, transportation and sale of protected reptiles in violation of the Lacey Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Signs Agreements in Massachusetts, Kentucky and Indiana to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities

The Justice Department today announced agreements with Norfolk County, Mass.; Daviess County, Ky.; and the city of Madison, Indiana, to improve access to all aspects of civic life for individuals with disabilities.



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Former Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Sergeant Charged with Civil Rights Violations

The Justice Department announced today that a federal grand jury in Birmingham, Ala., returned a three-count indictment charging former Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s sergeant, Althea Mallisham, 52, with federal civil rights crimes for using a stun gun on three jail detainees in 2008.



  • OPA Press Releases