ag Associate Attorney General Tony West Outlines Justice Department’s Approach to Toxic Mortgage Cases By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:46:01 EDT “If an institution is unwilling to admit its wrongful conduct in a statement of facts; or balks at paying a substantial penalty that reflects that conduct; or refuses to do right by those affected, then we will not shrink from litigating as long as we must to fulfill our law enforcement mandate.” Full Article Speech
ag Attorney General Holder Announces Plans to Send Seven Additional ATF Agents to Chicago By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:58:25 EDT Following his recent visit to Chicago where he participated in a roundtable discussion with Mayor Emanuel on recent reductions in youth violence, Attorney General Eric Holder today announced plans to send seven additional Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), agents to the field division office in Chicago Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Orange County Clerk of Courts in Florida to Ensure Equal Access to Court Records for Blind Individuals By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:00:58 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the Orange County Clerk of Courts in Florida to remedy violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement resolves allegations that the Orange County Clerk of Courts failed to provide a blind attorney with electronic court documents in an accessible format readable by his screen reader technology, despite repeated requests. Indeed, a motion filed in one of his cases included over 20 exhibits, the majority of which were not provided in an accessible format for over four months Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Government Files Suit Against Missouri Neurosurgeon and Medical Device Supplier for Violations of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:06:16 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a complaint against Midwest Neurosurgeons L.L.C. and its owner, Dr. Sanjay Fonn, M.D., and DS Medical L.L.C. and its owner, Deborah Seeger, for allegedly violating the Medicare Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act by conspiring to solicit and receive commissions from medical device manufacturers related to the purchase of spinal implants and supplies used during spinal fusion surgeries performed by Dr. Fonn Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice and Filing False Multi-Billion Dollar Liens Against Two Federal Judges and Other Government Employees By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:07:50 EDT Tyree Davis Sr., 42, of Flossmoor, Illinois, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice and two counts of filing false retaliatory liens against government officials, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Alabama Hospital System and Physician Group Agree to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Alleging False Claims for Illegal Medicare Referrals By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:14:57 EDT Mobile, Alabama-based Infirmary Health System Inc. (IHS), two IHS-affiliated clinics and Diagnostic Physicians Group P.C. (DPG) have agreed to pay the United States $24.5 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging that they violated the False Claims Act by paying or receiving financial inducements in connection with claims to the Medicare program, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag United States Intervenes in Whistleblower Suit Against Symantec Corporation Alleging False Claims for Computer Software By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:27:55 EDT The United States has intervened in a law suit against Symantec Corporation, alleging that Symantec submitted false claims to the United States on a General Services Administration (GSA) software contract, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Reaches Agreement with City of Newark, New Jersey, to Address Unconstitutional Policing in Newark Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:31:58 EDT The Justice Department today announced it has reached an agreement with the city of Newark, New Jersey, to address a pattern and practice of unconstitutional policing by the Newark Police Department (NPD). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against New York Dietary Supplement Maker to Prevent Distribution of Adulterated Supplements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:41:45 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Applied Polymer Systems dba APS Pharmaco (APS) and its president, Nuka Reddy, all of Lindenhurst, New York, to prevent the distribution of adulterated dietary supplements Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag $80 Million Judgment Entered Against BNP Paribas for False Claims to the U.S. Department of Agriculture By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:49:01 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that an $80 million False Claims Act judgment was entered against BNP Paribas for submitting false claims for payment guarantees issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Obtains $80,000 Settlement in Housing Discrimination Lawsuit Against California Landlord By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:55:56 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the owners and operators of Woodland Garden Apartments in Fremont, California, to settle allegations of discrimination against families with children. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the defendants are required to pay $77,500 to the victims of their discrimination and an additional $2,500 to the government as a civil penalty Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Lloyds Banking Group Admits Wrongdoing in LIBOR Investigation, Agrees to Pay $86 Million Criminal Penalty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:57:42 EDT Lloyds Banking Group plc has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to pay an $86 million penalty for manipulation of submissions for the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a leading global benchmark interest rate Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Historic Clean Water Act Settlement Will Prevent Millions of Gallons of Sewage Discharges into San Francisco Bay By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:01:54 EDT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a Clean Water Act settlement requiring the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and seven East Bay communities to conduct extensive system repairs aimed at eliminating millions of gallons of sewage discharges into San Francisco Bay. Under today’s agreement, EBMUD and the communities will assess and upgrade their 1,500 mile-long sewer system infrastructure over a 21-year period Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Former U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command Manager Sentenced for Receiving Bribes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:15:50 EDT Kenny E. Toy, 54, the former Afloat Programs Manager at the United States Navy Military Sealift Command, was sentenced today to serve 96 months in prison for receiving bribes Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Sex Discrimination Against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Police By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:05:12 EDT The Justice Department announced the filing of a lawsuit today against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Police, alleging that the defendants are engaged in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against women in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the lawsuit challenges the state police’s use of two physical fitness tests to screen and select entry-level state troopers Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Maryland to Engage in Sexual Activity with a Minor By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:11:40 EDT Gregory King, 28, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today in connection with contacting a 13-year-old girl over the Internet and traveling across state lines to engage in sexual activity with her Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Louisiana State Bond Commission Agrees to Settlement to Resolve Housing Discrimination Lawsuit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:07:34 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has approved its settlement with the Louisiana State Bond Commission resolving the department’s housing discrimination lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the commission violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act by adopting a moratorium on affordable housing financing in 2009. The moratorium blocked financing for a proposed 40-unit affordable housing project known as the “Esplanade.” Twenty of these units would provide permanent supportive housing to persons with disabilities Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Defendant Extradited to Face Charges in Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry Murder Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:41:13 EDT Ivan Soto-Barraza, who is charged with the first degree murder of United States Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, was extradited to the United States from Mexico today, announced Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Hewlett-Packard Company Agrees to Pay $32.5 Million for Alleged Overbilling of the U.S. Postal Service By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:37:21 EDT The Justice Department announced today that Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) has agreed to pay $32.5 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that HP overcharged the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for products between October 2001 and December 2010. HP is a manufacturer and vendor of information technology products and services headquartered in Palo Alto, California Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Nebraska “Sovereign Citizen” Convicted of Filing False Liens Against Federal Officials and Federal Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:31:57 EDT A federal jury in Omaha, Nebraska, found Donna Marie Kozak guilty on Friday of conspiracy to file and filing false liens against two U.S. District Court judges, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska, two Assistant U.S. Attorneys and an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) special agent, the Justice Department announced Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination Claim Against New York Nursing Home By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:25:00 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with Isabella Geriatric Center (IGC), a nursing home located in New York City, resolving a claim that IGC engaged in a pattern or practice of citizenship discrimination during the employment eligibility reverification process in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Manager of Adoption Agency Pleads Guilty to Ethiopian Adoption Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:20:58 EDT A former foreign program director of International Adoption Guides Inc. (IAG), an adoption agency, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others to defraud the United States by paying bribes to foreign officials and submitting fraudulent documents to the State Department for adoptions from Ethiopia Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Settles Citizenship Status Discrimination Claim Against Travel Management Company By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:16:28 EDT The Justice Department reached an agreement today with Travel Management Company, a private airplane charter company based in Elkhart, Indiana, resolving claims that the company engaged in citizenship status discrimination in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Fifth Third Mortgage Company to Resolve Allegations of Discrimination Against Recipients of Disability Income By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:15:06 EDT The Department of Justice filed a settlement today with Fifth Third Mortgage Company to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of disability and receipt of public assistance in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). Under the settlement, Fifth Third has agreed to maintain revised policies, conduct employee training and pay over $1.5 million to compensate victims Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag California Investment Manager Found Guilty After Trial for Leading $33 Million Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:09:41 EDT A California investment manager was found guilty in federal district court in Salt Lake City, Utah for his role in a $33 million investment fraud scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Seventh Defendant Indicted in Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry Murder Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:08:23 EDT Rosario Rafael Burboa-Alvarez was indicted by a federal grand jury in Tucson yesterday, becoming the seventh man charged in connection with the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, announced Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag United States Files Enforcement Action Against Michigan Cheese Company and Owners to Stop Distribution of Adulterated Cheese Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:05:38 EDT A civil complaint was filed today in federal court in Michigan against S. Serra Cheese Company of Clinton Township, Michigan, and its owners, Stefano and Fina Serra, to prevent the distribution of adulterated cheese, announced Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Justice Department’s Civil Division Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Defendant in Mortgage Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:50:08 EDT Wasseem Shamoun pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan today, announced the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On July 16, 2013, a superseding indictment was unsealed charging Shamoun and six other individuals with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud and other fraud charges relating to a mortgage loan scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Department of Justice Reaches Comprehensive Settlement with Crestwood School District to Improve Educational Services for English Language Learners By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:40:48 EDT The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, reached a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Crestwood School District in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, to improve educational services for students who are English Language Learners (ELLs), establish a system for recruiting and hiring faculty and staff and ensure that individuals who complain about discrimination do not face unlawful retaliation Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Registered Convicted Sex Offender Found Guilty of Attempted Production of Child Pornography and Traveling to Engage in Sex with a Minor By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:37:02 EDT A 65-year-old registered sex offender, with two prior convictions relating to possession of child pornography and attempted sexual conduct with minors, was found guilty today of attempting to produce child pornography, travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transporting child pornography, possessing child pornography and offense by a registered sex offender Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Obtains $100,000 Settlement in Housing Discrimination Lawsuit Against Cleveland Landlord By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:29:47 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the manager and owner of the Linden House Apartments in Cleveland have agreed to pay $100,000 to resolve allegations that they refused to rent to individuals because the individuals had children . The settlement must still be approved by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Department of Justice Reaches Agreement with the Louisiana Supreme Court to Protect Bar Candidates with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:25:24 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a settlement agreement with the Louisiana Supreme Court that will resolve the department’s investigation of the court’s policies, practices and procedures for evaluating bar applicants with mental health disabilities. The department’s investigation found that during the Louisiana bar admissions process licensing entities based recommendations about bar admission on mental health diagnosis and treatment rather than conduct that would warrant denial of admission to the bar Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Former Owner of Los Angeles Medical Clinic Management Company Pleads Guilty in $3.2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:24:22 EDT The former owner of a Los Angeles medical clinic management company pleaded guilty today in connection with his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Real Estate Developer and Mortgage Broker Plead Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:22:01 EDT Two Miami, Florida, residents pleaded guilty this week to participating in a mortgage fraud scheme involving the sale of condominium units in the Miami area Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claim Against Staffing Agency By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:20:45 EDT The Justice Department reached an agreement today with Real Time Staffing Services LLC, doing business as Select Staffing, a company based in Santa Barbara, California. The settlement resolves the department’s claims that Select Staffing discriminated against work-authorized non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag The following joint statement was released Friday by FBI Special Agent in Charge William P. Woods, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri Richard G. Callahan and Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Molly Moran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:18:32 EDT The former chief executive officer of Hanover Corporation was sentenced today to serve 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $14,784,983.75 in restitution for orchestrating an $18 million Ponzi scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Grand Rapids Landlords to Pay $550,000 and Terminate Manager’s Responsibilities to Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed by Justice Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:06:01 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the owners and operators of the Alger Meadows Apartments in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have agreed to pay $550,000 in damages and civil penalties and to terminate property manager Dale VanderVennen’s role in managing the complex to settle a lawsuit alleging that VanderVennen sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Samsung Electronics America Agrees to Pay $2.3 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:04:29 EDT Samsung Electronics America Inc. (Samsung) has agreed to pay $2.3 million to resolve allegations that it caused the submission of false claims for products sold on General Service Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts in violation of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (TAA), the Justice Department announced today. Samsung is an electronics distributor and marketer headquartered in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd. Agrees to Plead Guilty to Price Fixing and Bid Rigging on Automobile Parts Installed in U.S. Cars By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:03:15 EDT NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., an automotive parts manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan, has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $52.1 million criminal fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for spark plugs, standard oxygen sensors, and air fuel ratio sensors installed in cars sold to automobile manufacturers in the United States and elsewhere, the Department of Justice announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Sues to Stop South Florida Tax Return Preparer Engaged in Fraud and Earned Income Credit Schemes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:00:30 EDT The United States has asked a federal court in Miami to permanently bar a South Florida man and his two Miami businesses, Ebenezer Tax Services Inc. and Primo Tax Service Inc., from preparing federal income tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. He is alleged to have defrauded the government out of more than $20 million Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the City of Baltimore to Prevent Disability Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:57:47 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with the city of Baltimore, Maryland, to end hiring practices that discriminate against people with disabilities. The agreement, filed as a consent decree along with a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, resolves allegations by the department that the city engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title I of the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability in various aspects of employment, including hiring Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Michigan Home Health Agency Owner Pleads Guilty to Participating in $22 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:55:36 EDT A greater Detroit-area owner of three home health agencies pleaded guilty today for his role in a $22 million home health care fraud scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Massillon, Ohio Landlords Agree to $850,000 Settlement to Resolve Housing Discrimination Lawsuits By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:30:58 EDT The Justice Department announced today that Massillon, Ohio landlords John and Mary Ruth have agreed to pay $850,000 to settle lawsuits filed by the Justice Department and other parties alleging that the Ruths discriminated on the basis of race and familial status at properties they formerly owned in Massillon. The settlement must still be approved by United States District Judge John R. Adams in the Northern District of Ohio Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Sues to Stop Chicago-Area Woman and Her Businesses from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:22:51 EDT The United States filed a complaint in federal court in Chicago to bar Laurie G. Helfer, aka Laurie G. Powell, individually and through her businesses Laurie’s Freelance & Tax Preparation Services and Tax Lady Laurie Inc., from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Associate Attorney General West Announces $3 Million in Grants to Address Violence Against Women in Rural and Tribal Communities in the Bakken Region By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:15:48 EDT Associate Attorney General Tony West today announced $3 million dollars in grants from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to increase local and tribal capacity to prosecute crimes of violence against women and provide services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking in the Bakken Region of North Dakota and Montana Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Files Suit Against City of St. Anthony Village Over Denial of Permit for Mosque By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:03:51 EDT Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota today announced the filing of a lawsuit against the city of St. Anthony Village for an alleged violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). Specifically, the lawsuit seeks injunctive relief requiring St. Anthony Village to allow the Abu Huraira Islamic Center to maintain a worship space in the basement of the St. Anthony Business Center. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag United States Intervenes in False Claims Act Lawsuits Against Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care, Now Known as Optum Palliative Care and Hospice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:28:12 EDT The United States has partially intervened against defendants in two whistleblower lawsuits in the Federal District Court for the District of Colorado alleging Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care submitted false claims for the Medicare hospice benefit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Owner and Seven Employees of Mortgage Company and Two Real Estate Developers Indicted for $50 Million Scam Involving Federally Insured Mortgages By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:14:11 EDT The owner of a Florida mortgage company, seven employees of the company and two real estate developers were indicted in the Southern District of Florida in connection with an alleged $50 million mortgage fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Louisiana Crane Company Alleging Discrimination Against Work-authorized Immigrants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:04:01 EDT The Justice Department announced today the filing of a lawsuit with the Executive Office for Immigration Review against Louisiana Crane Company LLC (Louisiana Crane), which is headquartered in Eunice, Louisiana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ag Court Approves Police Reform Agreement in Portland, Oregon By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:59:03 EDT Today, the United States won court approval of a settlement agreement to reform the ways in which the Portland Oregon Police Bureau (“PPB”) interacts with individuals with actual or perceived mental illness. The agreement was entered jointly by the United States and the city of Portland, Oregon, with the approval of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform (“AMA Coalition”) and Portland Police Association (“PPA”). The agreement addresses constitutional claims in a civil action filed by the United States pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. In today’s order, the court approved the agreement with the requirement that the parties appear for periodic hearings to provide the court progress on implementation of the agreement. Full Article OPA Press Releases