Press Releases for November 2008

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Portuguese Shipping Company and Two Employees Found Guilty of Enviromental Crimes (08-1054)

A federal jury in Corpus Christi, Texas returned guilty verdicts against General Maritime Management (Portugal), the operator of a fleet of tanker vessels, Chief Engineer Antonio Rodrigues, and First Engineer Jose Cavadas, for making false statements to the United States Coast Guard and failing to maintain an accurate oil record book as required by United States and international law. (Read more)

West Virginia Man Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charges for Allegedly Burning a Home (08-1053)

Daryl Lee Fierce, 69, of Charleston, W.Va., was indicted by a federal grand jury for using fire to intimidate and interfere with a person’s housing rights because African-American and biracial individuals visited the person in her home.  The indictment, which was unsealed today, also charges Fierce with using fire to commit a felony.   (Read more)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Texas Businessman Sentenced to Prison for False Statements to Federally Insured Bank (08-1052)

James W. Sandlin was sentenced in the Eastern District of Texas to three years in prison for each of two counts of submitting a false statement to a federally insured financial insti. (Read more)

RBC Mortgage Company Pays U.S. More Than $10.71 Million to Settle Allegations Involving Federally Insured Mortgages (08-1051)

RBC Mortgage Company agreed to pay the United States more than $10.71 million to resolve allegations arising under the False Claims Act concerning 219 federally insured loans for mortgages submitted to the Federal Housing Administration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Read more)

Bayer Healthcare to Pay U.S. $97.5 Million to Settle Allegations of Paying Kickbacks to Diabetic Suppliers (08-1050)

Bayer HealthCare LLC agreed to pay the United States $97.5 million plus interest to settle allegations that it paid kickbacks to a number of diabetic suppliers and caused those suppliers to submit false claims to Medicare. Between 1998 and 2002, Bayer allegedly paid a direct-to-patient diabetic supplier approximately $2.5 million to convert its patients to Bayer supplies. (Read more)

President George W. Bush Grants Pardons and Commutations (08-1048)

On Nov. 24, 2008, President George W. Bush granted pardons to 14 individuals and commutation of sentence to two individuals. (Read more)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Florida Physician Sentenced to More Than 33 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Receipt and Possession (08-1049)

Dr. Richard Carino was sentenced to 405 months in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. Carino was arrested on May 22, 2006, and was charged on Jan. 16, 2008, in a six count superseding indictment.  (Read more)

Department of Justice Will Not Challenge Formation of Consortium of Commercial Insurers (08-1047)

The Department will not challenge a proposal by the Ivy Capital Group, LLC (Ivy) to form a consortium that will offer business insurance policies to large companies. The Department said that the formation and operation of the consortium is not likely to reduce competition and could offer a new competitive option for large commercial insurance policies.  (Read more)

Federal Jury in Dallas Convicts Holy Land Foundation and Its Leaders for Providing Material Support to Hamas Terrorist Organization (08-1046)

Following approximately six weeks of testimony and seven days of deliberation, a federal jury in Dallas returned guilty verdicts this afternoon convicting the Holy Land Foundation of Relief and Development (HLF) and five of its leaders on charges of providing material support to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas, and Patrick Rowan, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. (Read more)

Attorney Sentenced for Receiving Child Pornography (08-1045)

A Maryland resident, who previously worked as an attorney in the District of Columbia, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for receiving child pornography. (Read more)

San Francisco Federal Court Halts Sales of Tax Schemes (08-1044)

A San Francisco federal judge ordered Edwin Lichtig III and his California based firm to stop promoting unlawful tax schemes. According to the federal suit, Lichtig promoted a scheme called Pension Asset Transfer, which allegedly helped customers improperly avoid income tax on untaxed assets held in their Individual Retirement Accounts. (Read more)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Transcript of Press Briefing on the Condition of Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey (08-1043)

The test results are in, everything looks great. The Attorney General had a CT scan, it was normal. He had a clear MRI. They ruled out TIA, transient ischemic attack, which can be associated with stroke. He had a stress test—it was completely normal. The doctor said he is in good shape and basically that he 'beat the machine”. He also had a stress echocardiogram which was completely normal. He has been given a clean bill of health. We expect him to be released in the next couple of hours. We also anticipate he will be back at the Department later today. (Read more)

Korean Businessman Detained in Bribery Conspiracy Involving $206 Million Contract (08-1042)

A South Korean businessman was ordered detained for his alleged role in a bribery conspiracy for a $206 million telecommunications contract involving employees of the Army Air Force Exchange Service. In ordering the individual's detention, Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney of the Northern District of Texas found probable cause to support the charges and that he was a flight risk. (Read more)

Aibel Group Ltd. Pleads Guilty to Foreign Bribery and Agrees to Pay $4.2 Million in Criminal Fines (08-1041)

Aibel Group Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation, pleaded guilty to violating the antibribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Aibel Group pleaded guilty to a two-count superseding information charging a conspiracy to violate the FCPA and a violation of the FCPA. At the same time, Aibel Group admitted that it was not in compliance with a deferred prosecution agreement it had entered into with the Justice Department in February 2007 regarding the same underlying conduct.  (Read more)

District Heights, Maryland, Tax Preparer Convicted of Preparing False Returns (08-1040)

DaJuan Jackson, a former tax return preparer of American Tax Associates Inc., was convicted of eights counts of preparing false income tax returns following a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus in Greenbelt, Md. (Read more)

A Message from Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey to Department of Justice Employees (08-1039)

As you may have heard, I collapsed briefly last night at the conclusion of a speech. All tests at the hospital have come back with good results, and I feel fine. Accordingly, I plan to report to the Department this afternoon and to continue doing the work I swore to do last November and which it has been an honor to do with you ever since. (Read more)

Transcript of Press Briefing on the Condition of Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey (08-1038)

The Attorney General had an uneventful night. He looks good and is very alert. The doctor’s are describing him as very fit. All the tests have been reassuring. There is no indication that he suffered a stroke or any heart-related incident. (Read more)

Statement of Peter A. Carr, Acting Director of Public Affairs, on Condition of Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey (08-1037)

"The Attorney General is conscious, conversant and alert. His vital statistics are strong and he is in good spirits. He is receiving excellent care and appreciates all of the good wishes and prayers he has received. The doctors will keep him overnight for further observations. We will update the public when we have additional information." (Read more)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Men Charged with Conspiracy to Threaten and Kill African-Americans (08-1036)

A federal grand jury in Memphis returned a 10-count superseding indictment adding to the charges against Daniel G. Cowart and Paul M. Schlesselman in an alleged plot to murder African-Americans. (Read more)

Statement of Peter A. Carr, Acting Director of Public Affairs, on the Habeas Corpus Ruling in Boumediene v. Bush (08-1035)

"We are pleased with the Court’s decision affirming the determination that Bensayah Belkacem is an enemy combatant and may be held during this armed conflict." (Read more)

Mississippi Lawyer Pleads Guilty for Failing to File Tax Returns on Income Exceeding $2.5 Million (08-1034)

Marshall E. Sanders, a lawyer based in Vicksburg, Miss., pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to file income tax returns. According to documents filed with the court, Sanders failed to file tax returns for 2001 and 2002, despite having earned gross income of more than $2 million in 2001 and almost $500,000 in 2002.  (Read more)

Former Congressional Legislative Assistant Pleads Guilty to Failing to Report Thousands of Dollars in Illegal Gifts from Lobbyists (08-1033)

Trevor L. Blackann, a former legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate, pleaded guilty to making a false statement on his 2003 tax returns by failing to report as income thousands of dollars in illegal gifts that he received from lobbyists. The case is part of the ongoing investigation into the lobbying activities of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates. (Read more)

Miami Physicians Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in a $6.8 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme (08-1032)

Miami physicians Carlos Contreras and Ramon Pichardo were sentenced to 37 months and 48 months in prison, respectively, for defrauding the Medicare program in connection with a $6.8 million HIV infusion fraud scheme. The cases were brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force (MFSF). Since the inception of MFSF operations in 2007, federal prosecutors have indicted 104 cases with 184 defendants in Los Angeles and Miami.  (Read more)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Justice Department Sues Alabama for Failure to Protect Voting Rights of Overseas Citizens (08-1031)

The Department today filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman, alleging their failure to protect the rights of overseas voters in violation of the Uniformed Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).  (Read more)

MS-13 Member Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Involvement in RICO Conspiracy (08-1029)

Francisco Dago Mendez, a member of MS-13, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and five years of supervised release for his participation in a racketeering enterprise. Including Mendez, 13 defendants have been sentenced on RICO charges stemming from an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Nashville on Jan. 10, 2007. (Read more)

Former Memphis Police Officer Indicted on Civil Rights Charges (08-1028)

Bridges McRae, former officer of the Memphis Police Department, was indicted today on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, related to the alleged assault of an individual in early 2008.  (Read more)

Company to Pay $5.6 Million for Allegedly Overcharging U.S. on Contract to Recruit & Select Airport Screeners (08-1027)

NCS Pearson Inc. agreed to pay $5.6 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims in connection with a contract to assist the Transportation Security Administration in deploying federal government security personnel at airports. (Read more)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Member of Aryan Brotherhood Indicted for Bias-motivated Assault with Intent to Murder (08-1026)

A federal grand jury in Dallas, Texas, indicted Timothy York, a member of the United/Universal Aryan Brotherhood, on two counts of bias-motivated assault.  (Read more)

Tax Defier Indicted in Mississippi on Federal Tax Charges (08-1025)

Paul Richard Arceneaux was indicted by a federal grand jury in Jackson, Miss., for allegedly filing fictitious liens for millions of dollars against the Chancery Clerk for Harrison County, an employee of the Chancery Clerk’s office and an employee of the IRS.  (Read more)

Miami HIV Clinic Administrator and Two Miami Residents Sentenced for Their Roles in a $14 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme (08-1024)

Miami residents Dilcia Marinez, Juan Carlos Castaneda and Luis Frias each were sentenced to prison for their roles in defrauding the Medicare program and laundering the illegal proceeds in connection with a $14 million HIV infusion fraud scheme. (Read more)

Monday, November 17, 2008

California Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging on Contracts with the U.S. Navy and Others (08-1023)

The former president of a California marine products company has agreed to plead guilty for his role in a conspiracy to rig bids and allocate customers with respect to marine products purchased by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and other public and private entities.  (Read more)

Justice Department Issues Report on Telecommunications Symposium (08-1022)

The Department today issued a report on competitive developments in the telecommunications industry. The report, “Voice, Video and Broadband: The Changing Competitive Landscape and Its Impact on Consumers,” is the result of a Telecommunications Symposium hosted by the Department on Nov. 29, 2007.  (Read more)

Two Charged with Illegal Trading with Iran (08-1021)

Laurie Magid, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Mohammad Reza Vaghari, 41, of Broomall, PA, and Mir Hossein Ghaemi, 42, of Edgewood, MD, with crimes relating to their participation in illegal business transactions with Iran between in or about 2002 and present.  (Read more)

Virginia Physicist Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting Space Launch Data to China and Offering Bribes to Chinese Officials (08-1020)

A physicist in Newport News, Va., has pleaded guilty today to charges that he illegally exported space launch technical data and defense services to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and offered bribes to Chinese government officials. (Read more)

Illinois Tax Preparer Barred from Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others (08-1019)

A federal court has permanently barred Irma Melendez, a former Illinois tax return preparer, from preparing federal tax returns for others. Based on the examination of 224 returns, the Internal Revenue Service determined that Melendez inflated employee business expenses, including falsifying business mileage, meals and uniforms as business expenses, and inflated improvements to rental properties. (Read more)

Friday, November 14, 2008

Justice Department Seeks to Intervene in Suit to Enforce Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in Virginia (08-1018)

The Justice Department filed a motion today in federal court seeking to intervene in a private lawsuit compelling Virginia election officials to take steps to ensure that qualified overseas voters have a reasonable chance to participate in the Nov. 4, 2008 general federal election. (Read more)

Promoter of Fraudulent Tax Shelter and Louisiana Attorney Indicted on Tax Charges (08-1017)

John B. Ohle III, a former member of the tax shelter promotion group at a national bank, has been charged with conspiring with lawyers at the law firm of Jenkens & Gilchrist and others to defraud the United States in the sale of a tax shelter known as "HOMER." (Read more)

MS-13 Member Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Involvement in Rico Conspiracy (08-1016)

A member of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison and five years of supervised release for his participation in a racketeering enterprise. Omar Hirbin Gomez, a/k/a Lil Homie, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Todd J. Campbell of the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville.  (Read more)

Ohio and Michigan Tax Defiers Who Promoted Bogus Trust Scheme Convicted of Tax Charges (08-1015)

Following a one-week trial in Toledo, Ohio, a federal jury convicted Winfield Thomas, a resident of Carey, Ohio, and Jeanne Herrington, a resident of Parma, Mich., of conspiracy to impede the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Justice Department and IRS announced today. (Read more)

D.C. Court of Appeals Clears Way for $200 Million Restitution Order in Tax Fraud Conviction (08-1014)

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that Walter C. Anderson, a local telecommunications entrepreneur and venture capitalist sentenced to nine years in prison for tax evasion, can be held accountable for the more than $200 million in restitution that he owes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Justice Department announced today.  (Read more)

Justice Department Lawsuit Seeks to Restore Employment Rights of North Carolina Army Reservist (08-1013)

The Department has filed a lawsuit on behalf of James Myles, an Army Reservist, against the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and against North Carolina Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell, in his official capacity, alleging violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). (Read more)

U.S. Files Suit Against New Jersey Generic Drug Manufacturer That Distributed Adulterated and Misbranded Products (08-1012)

The United States is seeking a permanent injunction to bar Actavis Totowa LLC, and Actavis Inc. and two of their officers, from the manufacturing and distribution of generic drug products until they demonstrate compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice requirements of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. (Read more)

Former DoD Official Sentenced for Making a False Statement (08-1011)

Constance Walton, a former employee of the Defense Logistics Agency, an agency within the Department of Defense, was sentenced to two years of probation for committing one count of making a false statement. According to court documents, Walton failed to disclose to the Department of Defense that she received income from a company that she owned.  (Read more)

Former Department of Interior Official Sentenced for Criminal Conflict of Interest (08-1010)

The former Special Assistant to the Associate Director of Minerals Revenue Management, Minerals Management Service, at the U.S. Department of Interior was sentenced for a felony violation of the criminal conflict of interest law. According to the plea documents, when the defendant was nearing retirement from federal service, he and his supervisor explored ways he could return to work for the Department of Interior after his official retirement.  (Read more)

Federal Court Shuts Down Houston Tax Preparer (08-1009)

A Texas federal court has permanently barred a Houston man from preparing federal tax returns for others. According to the government complaint, Kyle C. Kasten operated KJ & J Tax Services, which repeatedly prepared federal tax returns claiming bogus credits and deductions and overstated customers’ tax withholding to generate larger tax refunds.  (Read more)

Justice Department Requires Divestiture in InBev’s Acquisition of Anheuser-Busch (08-1008)

The Department will require InBev N.V./S.A. to divest subsidiary Labatt USA, along with a license to brew, market, promote and sell Labatt brand beer for consumption in the United States, in order to proceed with InBev’s $52 billion acquisition of Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. The Department said that the transaction, as originally proposed, would likely have led to higher prices for beer in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y., metropolitan areas.  (Read more)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Two Men Plead Guilty on International Sex Tourism Charges (08-1007)

Two men pleaded guilty today to traveling, and conspiring to travel, in foreign commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The defendants admitted in their pleas that they traveled with the intent to sexually abuse children, paid for access to children and in fact sexually abused children.  (Read more)

Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Race Discrimination at Roseville, Michigan Apartment Complex (08-1006)

The Department reached a settlement today of up to $170,000 resolving its lawsuit against the owners and managers of Regent Court Apartments in Roseville, Mich., who allegedly discriminated against African-Americans seeking to rent apartments at the complex. The complaint alleged that Regent Court Apartments, LLC and Donna Harrison, the leasing manager, engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against African-American applicants for tenancy.  (Read more)

District of Columbia Man Sentenced on Child Pornography Charges (08-1005)

A District of Columbia resident was sentenced to 27 months in prison as a result of his plea to one count of possessing child pornography. The case emerged from a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation that targeted individuals trading child pornography through online magazines established to promote sexual relationships between adults and children.  (Read more)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Miami Clinic Owner Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for $10.9 Million Medicare Fraud (08-1004)

A Miami clinic owner was sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding the Medicare program in connection with a $10.9 million HIV infusion fraud scheme. (Read more)

Former Alaska Businessman Sentenced on Public Corruption Charges (08-1003)

William Weimar, an Alaska business owner, was sentenced to six months in prison on public corruption charges. Weimar admitted to conspiring with a candidate running for an elected position in the Alaska state legislature, the owner of a company that provided consulting and advertising services to the candidate, and others by illegally paying the consultant for expenses incurred by the candidate's campaign.  (Read more)

LG, Sharp, Chunghwa Agree to Plead Guilty, Pay Total of $585 Million in Fines for Participating in LCD Price-fixing Conspiracies (08-1002)

Three leading electronics manufacturers–LG Display Co. Ltd., Sharp Corp. and Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd.–have agreed to plead guilty and pay a total of $585 million in criminal fines for their roles in conspiracies to fix prices in the sale of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. Of the $585 million in fines, LG will pay $400 million, the second highest criminal fine ever imposed by the Department’s Antitrust Division. (Read more)

Swiss Bank Executive Charged with Aiding U.S. Taxpayers Evade Income Tax (08-1001)

A senior executive of a large Swiss bank with offices worldwide was charged with conspiring with other executives, managers, private bankers and clients of the banking firm to defraud the United States. (Read more)

Fact Sheet: Project Safe Childhood (08-999)

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  (Read more)

Department of Justice Unveils New Public Service Announcements to Combat Online Exploitation of Children (08-998)

The Department has unveiled an innovative national public service announcement campaign to educate parents about the potential dangers that their children face online and, for the first time, warns potential online predators that exploiting a child online is a serious federal offense.  (Read more)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Fact Sheet: Department of Justice Efforts to Protect the Rights of Servicemembers and Veterans (08-947)

The Civil Rights Division enforces a number of laws that protect the rights of uniformed men and women, including the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), which protects employment rights, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act of 1986 (UOCAVA), which protects voting rights.  (Read more)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Japanese Operator of Cargo Vessel Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Falsifying Records (08-996)

Hiong Guan Navegacion Japan Co. Ltd., operator of the commercial cargo ship Balsa 62, agreed to plead guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Fla., to conspiracy and to falsifying and failing to properly maintain records meant to ensure environmental compliance. (Read more)

MS-13 Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison on Firearm Charge (08-994)

Oscar Serrano, a leader of the gang La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, was sentenced to life in prison for using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, and to a 20-year term, to be served consecutively, for his participation in a racketeering enterprise. Serrano is the eleventh defendant to be sentenced on RICO charges stemming from an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Nashville on Jan. 10, 2007.  (Read more)

Fact Sheet: Supporting State and Local Law Enforcement Accomplishments 2001 – 2008 (08-993)

For the last eight years, the Department of Justice has provided innovative leadership to federal, state, local and tribal justice systems, disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge and practices, and providing grants for their implementation. (Read more)

More Than $1 Billion Recovered by Justice Department in Fraud and False Claims in Fiscal Year 2008 (08-992)

The United States secured $1.34 billion in settlements and judgments in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2008, pursuing allegations of fraud against the federal government. This brings total recoveries since 1986, when Congress substantially strengthened the civil False Claims Act, to more than $21 billion.  (Read more)

Friday, November 7, 2008

U.S. Army Colonel and Lt. Colonel Convicted of Conspiracy for Role in Fraud Scheme in Al-hillah, Iraq (08-991)

A federal jury convicted U.S. Army Col. Curtis G. Whiteford and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael B. Wheeler of conspiracy to commit bribery and interstate transportation of stolen property. Whiteford and Wheeler were charged in a 25-count indictment unsealed on Feb. 7, 2007, along with U.S. Army Lt. Col. Debra M. Harrison and civilians William Driver and Michael Morris with various crimes related to a scheme to defraud the CPA - South Central Region (CPA-SC).  (Read more)

Nashville Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Child Pornography Offenses Involving Commercial Web Sites (08-989)

Timothy Ryan Richards was sentenced to prison after being convicted of 11 child pornography-related offenses centered around his operation of commercial child pornography Web sites. (Read more)

Justice Department Sues Evansville, Indiana Retirement Home for Discriminating Against Persons with Disabilities (08-988)

The Justice Department announced today that it has sued the owners and managers of the Rathbone Retirement Community, an Evansville, Ind., retirement home, for not allowing residents with disabilities to use motorized wheelchairs or scooters in the dining hall or in their apartments and for forcing out two tenants who used motorized wheelchairs. (Read more)

Statement of Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey on the Resignation of Assistant Attorney General Thomas O. Barnett (08-987)

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey issued the following statement on the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Thomas O. Barnett of the Antitrust Division. (Read more)

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fact Sheet: Justice Department Transition Activities (08-986)

The Department’s transition activities fully support the Executive Order on Presidential Transition signed by President Bush on October 9, 2008. The Executive Order creates a Presidential Transition Coordinating Council, of which the Attorney General is a member. Attorney General Mukasey designated Brian Benczkowski, Chief of Staff, and Lee Lofthus, Assistant Attorney General for Administration, to lead the Department’s transition activities. (Read more)

Arizona Federal Court Bars Tax Fraud Scheme (08-985)

A federal court permanently barred Dennis O. Poseley, Patricia Ann Ensign and Rachel McElhinney from selling tax fraud schemes. The complaint in the civil injunction case alleged that the defendants falsely advised customers that they could use sham trusts to avoid federal income taxes. (Read more)

Justice Department Seeks to Bar Detroit Tax Preparer from Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others (08-984)

The United States filed suit seeking to bar a Detroit man from preparing federal tax returns for others. The complaint alleges that Shawn Robin Gibson prepared federal income tax returns claiming inflated deductions and credits for his customers resulting in an understatement of their customers’ tax liabilities. (Read more)

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit in South Dakota (08-983)

The Justice Department announced today that it has sued the owners and managers of three Sioux Falls, S.D., apartment buildings, alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act when they refused to rent apartments to families with children, and when they told tenants and prospective tenants that they did not rent to African-Americans. (Read more)

Oklahoma Businessman Found Guilty of Child Pornography Charges (08-982)

A federal jury returned a guilty verdict against a Tulsa, Okla., businessman for receiving images of child pornography on his home computer. (Read more)

Yahoo! Inc. and Google Inc. Abandon Their Advertising Agreement (08-981)

Yahoo! Inc. and Google Inc. abandoned their advertising agreement after the Department informed the companies that it would file an antitrust lawsuit to block the implementation of the agreement. The Department said that, if implemented, the agreement between these two companies accounting for 90 percent or more of each relevant market would likely harm competition in the markets for Internet search advertising and Internet search syndication.  (Read more)

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Plantation Pipe Line Will Pay Penalty for Fuel Spills in Va., N.C., Ga. (08-980)

Plantation Pipe Line Company, Alpharetta, Ga., has agreed to pay a civil penalty and implement safeguards in order to resolve a Clean Water Act lawsuit over fuel pipeline spills in three states. (Read more)

Miami Physician Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for $26.2 Million Medicare Fraud (08-979)

Miami physician Ronald Harris was sentenced to 84 months in prison and medical clinic administrator Mariela Rodriguez was sentenced to 70 months in prison for defrauding the Medicare program in connection with large scale HIV infusion fraud schemes. (Read more)

EGL Pays U.S. to Resolve False Claims & Kickback Allegations Related to Overseas Shipments for the Military (08-978)

EGL Inc., operating as Eagle Global Logistics, paid the United States $750,000 to settle allegations that the company, in violation of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Act, paid gratuities to employees of KBR, the prime contractor for the U.S. Army’s LOGCAP III contract for logistical support of military operations overseas. (Read more)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Two Men Plead Guilty to Burning Islamic Center in Tennessee (08-977)

Michael Corey Golden and Jonathan Edward Stone pleaded guilty today in federal court in Nashville, Tenn., for their roles in burning and vandalizing the Islamic Center of Columbia, Tenn., on Feb. 9, 2008. A third defendant, Eric Ian Baker remains under indictment for his role in the arson.  (Read more)

Venezuelan National Convicted of Operating as Illegal Agent of Venezuelan Government in the United States (08-976)

A Miami federal jury convicted Venezuelan national Franklin Duran, on charges of acting and conspiring to act as an agent of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela within the United States, without prior notification to the Attorney General of the United States, as required by law, announced R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Patrick Rowan, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office.  (Read more)