b

Texas Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Receive Child Pornography

Daniel Cox of Houston was sentenced today in the Western District of Pennsylvania to 84 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and receive child pornography.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Leaders of Colorado-Based Vending Machine Fraud Sentenced to Prison

The two leaders of a Colorado-based scheme that defrauded more than 400 consumers throughout the country of $5 million were sentenced to prison.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

United States Files Counterclaims Against KBR Alleging False Claims and Kickbacks

In response to a pending lawsuit from Kellogg Brown & Root Services Inc. (KBR) in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Department of Justice has filed counterclaims alleging that KBR managers had received kickbacks from a dining facility subcontractor in violation of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Brothers Plead Guilty to Felonies in Connection with Kansas Deer Hunting and Guiding Operation

James Bobby Butler Jr. and Marlin Jackson Butler pleaded guilty today in federal court in Wichita, Kan., to felony conspiracy and wildlife trafficking charges stemming from the illegal sale of guided deer hunts in southern Kansas.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Former Colonial Bank Mortgage Lending Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme

Teresa Kelly, a former operations supervisor in Colonial Bank’s Mortgage Warehouse Lending Division, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit bank, wire and securities fraud for her role in a fraud scheme that contributed to the failures of Colonial Bank and Taylor, Bean & Whitaker.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Maryland Resident Charged with Making False Statements and Submitting False Documents in Applications for Federal Jobs

A Maryland woman has been charged by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., with making false statements and submitting false documents in multiple job applications to U.S. federal government agencies.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division Speaks at the 3rd Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States Summit on Anti-corruption

"This conference comes at an important moment in Russia’s efforts to strengthen its rule of law. In the Justice Department, we have long recognized corruption as a transnational problem. Corruption affects countries rich and poor, large and small, and it has particularly harmful effects on emerging economies."




b

Operator of Tax Preparation Business Sentenced to 17 ½ Years in Prison in Fraudulent Tax Shelter Conspiracy

U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Irvin Hannis Catlett Jr., 64, of Crownsville, Md., today to 210 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for tax offenses in connection with a scheme to prepare individual income tax returns for clients, which reported bogus tax losses from a purported car leasing company.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Federal Court Bars Two Los Angeles Residents from Promoting Sham Trust Tax Scheme

A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction barring Gwenn Wycoff and Frank Ozak, both of Los Angeles, from promoting so-called “common-law trusts” that help individuals evade taxes.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Maryland Sports Manager Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion, Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud

Nathan A. Peake, 40, a sports manager and resident of Silver Spring, Md., entered a plea of guilty today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Justice Department Officials Raise Awareness of Disaster Fraud Hotline for Reporting Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes

The Department of Justice reminds members of the public to be aware of and report any instances of suspected fraudulent charitable contribution schemes related to the natural disasters in Japan.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Rhode Island on Voter Registration at Public Assistance and Disability Offices

“The voting process begins with registration, and it is essential that all citizens have unfettered access to voter registration opportunities,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Samsung SDI Agrees to Plead Guilty in Color Display Tube Price-Fixing Conspiracy

Samsung SDI Company Ltd. has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $32 million criminal fine for its role in a global conspiracy to fix prices, reduce output and allocate market shares of color display tubes.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Owner of Renovated Des Moines, Iowa Building Pleads Guilty to Environmental Crimes

The owner of the Equitable Building in Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Des Moines to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and to violating the Clean Air Act’s work practice standards related to asbestos removal.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Alabama Couple Charged with Tax Evasion and Conspiracy

A superseding indictment was unsealed against Patricia Ervin and Monty Ervin of Dothan, Ala., charging them with three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiring to defraud the United States.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Former Executive of California Aftermarket Auto Lights Distributor Agrees to Plead Guilty in Price-Fixing Conspiracy

A former executive of a California aftermarket auto lights distributor has agreed to plead guilty for his participation in a global conspiracy to fix the prices of aftermarket auto lights.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Wisconsin Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Minor in Belize

Today a grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin returned a one-count indictment against U.S. citizen Roland J. Flath for traveling in foreign commerce and engaging in and attempting to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor less than 18 years of age.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Managing Director of Bank’s Investment Company Convicted of Embezzling More Than $571,000

The former managing director of the Pamrapo Service Corporation (Service Corporation), the investment arm of the former Pamrapo Savings Bank, was convicted today of embezzling more than $571,000 in commissions and fees belonging to the Service Corporation through a mail fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Second New Jersey Pipe Supply Company and Its Owner Plead Guilty to Fraud and Bribery Conspiracy in Power Generation Industry

A second New Jersey industrial pipe supply company and its owner pleaded guilty today to participating in a conspiracy to commit fraud and pay bribes to a purchasing manager at Consolidated Edison of New York (Con Edison) in return for the manager’s efforts to steer contracts to the company.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges

A resident of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to conspiring to conduct a racketeering enterprise.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Second Caesars Palace Nightclub Host Pleads Guilty to Tax Crime

Ali “Shawn” Olyaie, a former “VIP host” at the Pure Nightclub located in Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in Las Vegas before U.S. District Court Judge Kent Dawson to one count of filing a false federal individual income tax return for the 2006 tax year.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Rhode Island La Cosa Nostra Member Pleads Guilty in Murder-For-Hire Case

Anthony St. Laurent Sr. pleaded guilty today in federal court in Providence, R.I., to an attempted murder-for-hire, and acknowledged in a written plea agreement his participation in an extortion conspiracy outlined in a previous criminal complaint in which he, his wife Dorothy St. Laurent, his son Anthony St. Laurent Jr. and others extorted protection money from bookmakers in the Taunton, Mass.-area under the threat of violence.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Former Administrative Assistant to U.S. Senator Charged with Making Prohibited Communications to Senate Office

The former administrative assistant to a U.S. senator was charged today by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia with violating criminal conflict of interest laws.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

DC-Area Plumber Charged with Obstructing the IRS

Richard Jaensch, a resident of Annandale, Va., has been indicted by a Alexandria, Va., federal grand jury with one count of corruptly endeavoring to impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), one count of filing a false claim for a refund and four counts of failing to file a tax return for 2004 through 2007.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Statement of the Attorney General on the Retirement of Bureau of Prisons Director Harley Lappin

"For more than a quarter of a century, including eight years as Director, his service to the Bureau of Prisons has helped improve public safety, strengthen our corrections systems, and advance the Justice Department’s most critical goals."



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Justice Department Sues Bakersfield, Calif., Landlord for Sexual Harassment

The Justice Department today filed suit against Rawland Leon Sorensen, the owner and manager of more than 50 residential rental properties in Bakersfield, Calif., alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

California Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Receive Child Pornography

Paul Schwartz, 49, of Lathrop, Calif., was sentenced today to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and receive child pornography.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Federal Court Shuts Down Three Alabama Tax Preparers

A federal court has permanently barred John Lewis, Artels James and Perry Wright from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Nebraska Man Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Engaging in a Child Exploitation Enterprise

Brandon Miller, 23, of Omaha, Neb., was sentenced today to 102 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Justice Department Settles Americans with Disabilities Act Lawsuit with Virginia’s Inova Health System

The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Inova Health System to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in the provision of medical services.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

California Man Convicted of Conspiracy and Violating the Clean Air Act by Improperly Handling Asbestos

A Santa Clarita, Calif., resident was convicted today of five environmental charges related to the improper renovation of a San Fernando Valley, Calif., apartment complex – work that caused asbestos to be released into the complex and the surrounding community.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Oral Statement of Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights

"With each new wave of intolerance, our nation has responded – passing new civil rights laws, striking down old laws that sanctioned discrimination, and eventually recognizing the value of diverse communities and embracing those previously shunned," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




b

Susan B. Carbon, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, Speaks at the 4th Annual Army Sexual Harassment / Assault Response Prevention Summit

"As members of the military, you are leaders in our nation. Your communities admire you. Your voices matter. And your voices will make a key difference in changing the national dialogue on sexual assault. We can work together to achieve cultural change to stop sexual assault."




b

Alabama Sisters Indicted for Tax Fraud and Identity Theft

Loretta and Tracey Fergerson were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama on a variety of charges stemming from an identity theft and tax fraud conspiracy.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Former Employee of Charlotte, North Carolina-Based Bank Pleads Guilty for His Role in Falsifying Bank Records Involving Proceeds of Municipal Bonds

According to charges filed today in U.S. District Court in New York City, Brian Scott Zwerner engaged in a conspiracy to falsify bank records related to the marketing profits for an investment agreement and other municipal finance contracts, including derivative contracts.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Statement of Todd Hinnen, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security

Today I will address other national security investigative authorities enacted or amended as part of the USA PATRIOT Act, focusing in particular on the legal authorities relating to national security letters.




b

Prepared Statement of Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Chairman Wolf, Ranking Member Fattah and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, I’m very pleased to be here to discuss the President’s 2012 budget request for the Office of Justice Programs.




b

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Department of Justice’s Women’s History Month Celebration

"Today, we gather to reflect on the extraordinary contributions – and countless sacrifices – that women have made in strengthening the Justice Department, and in building and advancing this nation."




b

Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission Seek Public Comment on Proposed Statement of Antitrust Enforcement Regarding Accountable Care Organizations

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today issued a joint statement about how the agencies will enforce U.S. antitrust laws in regard to new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Two New Orleans Police Officers Sentenced in Post-Katrina Shooting and Burning of Henry Glover

Former New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Officer David Warren was sentenced today in connection with the post-Katrina shooting death of Henry Glover, and current NOPD Officer Greg McRae was sentenced for the subsequent burning of Glover’s remains and obstruction of justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Taiwanese Shipping Company Convicted for Discharging Oily Bilge Waste into the Waters of American Samoa

Koo’s Shipping Company S.A., a Taiwanese corporation, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of making false statements, knowingly failing to fully and accurately maintain an oil record book as required by international treaty and U.S. law, and for knowingly discharging oily bilge waste into Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, without using proper pollution prevention equipment.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Former TBW Financial Analyst Pleads Guilty to $1.5 Billion Fraud Scheme

Sean W. Ragland, a former senior financial analyst at Taylor, Bean &s mortgage lending facility, Ocala Funding.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Alleged Aryan Brotherhood Members Charged for Roles in Jefferson County, Texas, Shooting

Two alleged members and associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) were arraigned today on charges related to their alleged roles in the 2009 shooting of a man in Jefferson County, Texas.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Colombian Narcotics Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Import Hundreds of Kilograms of Cocaine into the United States

Colombian drug trafficker Carlos Ojeda-Herrera pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle in the District of Columbia to conspiring and attempting to transport shipments of 700- 800 kilograms of cocaine from Isla de Margarita, off the coast of Venezuela, to vessels waiting on the high seas to transport the drugs to Florida.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Florida Man Indicted for Bankruptcy Fraud

A St. Petersburg, Fla., man was arrested today on bankruptcy fraud charges.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

U.S. Files Complaint Against Texas-Based Healthpoint Ltd. Under the False Claims Act

The United States has filed a complaint against Healthpoint Ltd., alleging civil False Claims Act violations arising from the company’s sale of an unapproved prescription drug that was ineligible for payment under Medicaid and Medicare.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty for Cross Burning

Kenneth Stiffey Jr. of Robinson, Penn., pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge related to the burning of a cross in the yard of an African-American victim in November 2009.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Founder and Treasurer of Washington D.C. Labor Union Charged with Stealing Pension Funds for Personal Use, Violating a Court Order and Obstructing Investigation

The founder and treasurer of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers (NASPSO) was charged today in a superseding indictment with mail fraud, theft from a labor organization, obstruction of justice, criminal contempt and various recordkeeping offenses related to his operation of a pension plan for NASPSO members.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Former TBW Ceo Pleads Guilty to $1.5 Billion Fraud Scheme

Paul Allen, the former chief executive officer at Taylor, Bean & Whitaker (TBW), pleaded guilty today to making false statements and conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud for his role in a $1.5 billion fraud scheme that contributed to the failure of TBW.



  • OPA Press Releases

b

Virginia Contractor Pleads Guilty to Kickback Scheme and Failure to File Tax Return

A Virginia contractor pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to steer contracts to him for repair, maintenance and renovation work at healthcare and nursing home facilities owned by Medical Facilities of America Inc.



  • OPA Press Releases