an Justice Department Extends Compliance Deadline for Existing Pools Under the 2010 ADA Standards By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2012 17:30:31 EDT The Justice Department announced today an extension for existing swimming pools to comply with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. Existing pools must comply with the standards by Jan. 31, 2013. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Settles with Flint, Michigan, to Make Voting Accessible to People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 13:02:45 EDT The Justice Department today announced a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the city of Flint, Mich., to make all the city’s polling places more accessible for individuals with mobility impairments. The case was commenced based on a complaint from the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, and was investigated jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Michigan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Former Alexandria, Virginia, Resident Pleads Guilty to Corruptly Endeavoring to Impede the Internal Revenue Service By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 13:57:30 EDT Donald R. Megginson, a former resident of Alexandria, Va., pleaded guilty to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Settles with Home Depot to Enforce the Employment Rights of an Army National Guard Soldier By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 15:40:21 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with Home Depot U.S.A. Inc., to resolve allegations that the company violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) when it terminated the employment of Army National Guard soldier Brian Bailey. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an President of South Carolina-Based Firm Charged with Illegally Exporting Goods to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 18:22:00 EDT Markos Baghdasarian, the president of Delfin Group USA, was arrested on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, just prior to boarding an international flight to the United Arab Emirates. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Former Haitian Government Official Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Role in Scheme to Launder Bribes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 19:32:32 EDT Jean Rene Duperval, a former director of international relations for Telecommunications D’Haiti S.A.M. (Haiti Teleco), a Haitian state-owned telecommunications company, was sentenced today to nine years in prison for his role in a scheme to launder bribes paid to him by two Miami-based telecommunications companies. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Speaks on Alternatives to Incarceration Program: the Use of “Drug Courts” in the Federal and State Systems By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 May 2012 19:04:11 EDT "The Attorney General and I are committed to a criminal justice system and a sentencing policy that are both tough and fair; that deter those contemplating serious criminal conduct and that are guided by research that show when non-incarceration is the best sanction," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
an Ohio Insurance Salesman Guilty of Tax Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 10:07:51 EDT A jury convicted William A. Herder of Richland County, Ohio, yesterday on federal tax charges, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Former Pennsylvania Businessman Convicted of Filing False Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 17:20:00 EDT Jonathon Felix, formerly of Villanova, Pa., was found guilty by a federal jury of willfully signing and filing false income tax returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Petrese Tucker presided over the trial in Philadelphia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against New Jersey Information Technology Company for Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 17:34:06 EDT The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Whiz International, an information technology staffing company in Jersey City, N.J., regarding allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated an employee in retaliation for her opposition to Whiz’s preference for foreign nationals with temporary work visas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 64 Months in Prison on Child Pornography Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 18:13:26 EDT Chris Allen Oake, 61, of Acton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton in Boston. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the National Second Chance Act Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 10:29:53 EDT "It’s been remarkable to witness the way the issue of reentry has taken root in so many communities across the country. And it’s impressive to see how, thanks to visionary leaders in the Administration, in Congress, and in the states, the topic has become so prominent on the nation’s public safety agenda," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary Full Article Speech
an Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the National Second Chance Act Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 May 2012 10:34:50 EDT "Today, I want to assure each of you that – for me, for President Obama, for leaders across the administration, and for my colleagues at every level of the Justice Department – effective reentry is, and will remain, a top priority," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
an Delaware Company Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Discharges of Oil in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:35:14 EDT A Delaware company pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana to negligently discharging oil into the bayous of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, the Department of Justice announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Recognizes Efforts to Rescue Children from Abuse and Prosecute Predators By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:14:23 EDT Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole paid tribute to four individuals today during the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony at the Justice Department’s Great Hall. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an BP Agrees to Add More Than $400 Million in Pollution Controls at Indiana Refinery and Pay $8 Million Clean Air Act Penalty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 15:02:56 EDT BP North America Inc. has agreed to pay an $8 million penalty and invest more than $400 million to install state-of-the-art pollution controls and cut emissions from BP’s petroleum refinery in Whiting, Ind. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Final Defendant Sentenced for His Role in International Conspiracy Involving the Forced Labor of Eastern European Women in Detroit-area Exotic Dance Clubs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 16:27:03 EDT Veniamin Gonikman, 56, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Ukraine, was sentenced today in federal court for his role in an international conspiracy to compel Eastern European women to work in exotic dance clubs in the Detroit metropolitan area. U.S. District Court Judge Victoria A. Roberts sentenced Gonikman to 36 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. He is the ninth and final member of the charged conspiracy to be sentenced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Investment Club Manager Sentenced in Virginia to 12 Years in Prison for $40 Million Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 17:56:10 EDT Alan James Watson, 47, of Clinton Township, Mich., was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for fraudulently soliciting and accepting $40 million from more than 900 members of his investment club, Cash Flow Financial LLC (CFF). Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the American Law Institute Annual Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 09:15:33 EDT "For nearly nine decades, ALI has been on the front lines of efforts to improve the strength, integrity, and effectiveness of our justice system," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
an Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 17th Annual Congressional Breakfast By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 09:27:52 EDT "Today, I’m very pleased to announce that we’re awarding almost $27 million to support NCMEC’s great work. The funds will continue all the great programs I just named – and many more, like the national resource center and information clearinghouse," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
an Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the Justice Department’s National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 May 2012 14:12:38 EDT "I’ve spent much of my career – as a prosecutor, in government, and as head of the National Center for Victims of Crime – working to strengthen our responses to victims of all ages. I never cease to marvel at the incredible devotion and resolve of victim advocates," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
an Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group Announces New Resources to Investigate RMBS Misconduct By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 12:23:23 EDT The Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group announced new resources today in the ongoing effort to investigate misconduct, including the launch of a RMBS website to report fraud and the creation of a coordination team to facilitate the various investigations underway around the country. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Issues Further Guidance on Accessibility Requirements for Existing Swimming Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 13:34:51 EDT The Justice Department released two technical assistance documents today regarding the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to swimming pools. The documents can be found at www.ada.gov//qa_existingpools_titleIII.htm and www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an U.S. Court Rules That Nation’s Auto Dealers Are Required to Provide Complete Data on Car Loan Terms By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 15:50:37 EDT A federal judge in Washington has ruled that automobile dealers who engage in certain three-party financing transactions must disclose certain information to consumers who take out car loans if they are offered less favorable terms, such as a higher interest rate, than the most favorable terms available to the majority of consumers Full Article OPA Press Releases
an California Woman Indicted for Allegedly Impersonating a Congressional Aide By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 18:28:49 EDT The indictment charges Susan Tomsha-Miguel, 51. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Settles with Louisiana School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for All Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 17:54:45 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it entered into a settlement agreement with the Lincoln Parish School Board in Louisiana to ensure the school district reaches full compliance with its longstanding desegregation obligations. The agreement was approved by a judge today and is in the form of a consent order. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at Drug Court Commencement and Phase Progression Recognition Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:11:58 EDT "My colleagues and I across the Justice Department – and the entire Obama Administration – remain deeply committed to expanding this work through funding grants, training, and other forms of assistance. We’re eager to continue partnering with leading jurists like those who serve this Court, tireless advocates like our allies at the PSA and NADCP, and determined drug court participants like each of you," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
an Miami Man Convicted for Obstruction of Justice and False Statements for Certifying Ships Safe for Sea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 12:35:21 EDT Alejandro Gonzalez, 60, of Miami-Dade County, Fla., was convicted by a federal jury in Miami of three counts of making false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and one count of obstruction of an agency proceeding. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Mid-America Pipeline Company and Enterprise Products Operating to Pay $1 Million for Spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 12:01:45 EDT Mid-America Pipeline Company LLC (MAPCO), and Enterprise Products Operating LLC, of Houston, have agreed to pay a civil penalty of more than $1 million to the United States to settle violations of the federal Clean Water Act related to three natural gasoline pipeline spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Owner of Hawaii Car Dealerships and Chief Financial Officer Plead Guilty to Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 14:06:10 EDT Charles Alan Pflueger, owner of Pflueger Inc., Randall Kurata, the company’s chief financial officer, and Julie Kam, Pflueger’s executive assistant, pleaded guilty to filing false federal income tax returns before U.S. District Court Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi in Honolulu, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in California By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 13:31:00 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with California state officials to help ensure that military servicemembers, their family members and U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in California’s June 5, 2012, federal primary election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Former Head of Worldwide Sales at California Valve Company Pleads Guilty to Foreign Bribery Offense By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 16:40:25 EDT Paul Cosgrove, the former Head of Worldwide Sales at Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based valve company Control Components Inc. (CCI) pleaded guilty today to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Romanian National Extradited to U.S. to Face Charges for Allegedly Participating in Multimillion Dollar Scheme to Hack into and Steal Credit Card Data from U.S. Merchants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 18:16:05 EDT Adrian-Tiberiu Oprea, 28, of Constanta, Romania, was extradited to the United States and appeared in federal court in New Hampshire today, to face federal charges relating to his alleged participation in an international multimillion dollar scheme to remotely hack into and steal payment card data from hundreds of U.S. merchants’ “point of sale” computer systems. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against New Jersey Information Technology Company for Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 11:05:59 EDT The Justice Department settled a lawsuit today against Whiz International LLC, an information technology staffing company in Jersey City, N.J., regarding allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated an employee in retaliation for expressing opposition to Whiz’s alleged preference for foreign nationals with temporary work visas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Justice Department Settles Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against New York City Transit Authority By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:12:10 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) to resolve allegations that the NYCTA is engaged in a pattern or practice of religious discrimination. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an New York Businessman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Corporate Tax Return By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:10:26 EDT Sung Soo Shin, of Staten Island, N.Y., president of Mission Design and Management Inc. (MDMI), pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to filing a false corporate income tax return, for the fiscal year 2009, before U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an 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
an South Florida Retired Businessman Pleads Guilty to Failing to Disclose Assets Held in Swiss Banks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 17:05:17 EDT Wolfgang Roessel of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida to filing a false tax return for 2007, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an 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
an Woman Convicted of Tax Fraud Conspiracy in South Florida Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 17:44:01 EDT Nasheba Necia Hunte was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and for filing false tax returns, the Justice Department and IRS announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an 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
an 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
an U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Indicted in Miami for Civil Rights and Abusive Sexual Contact Offenses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 12:15:39 EDT U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Paulo Morales, 47, was arrested today after having been indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida on charges of deprivation of civil rights and abusive sexual contact. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an Maryland Business Owner Sentenced for Failing to Pay Employment Taxes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 14:50:14 EDT Richard Stewart, a resident of Mitchellville, Md., was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $5,414,647 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus for failing to pay over employment taxes in connection with his ownership of Montgomery Mechanical Services, the Justice Department and IRS announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
an 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
an 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