Blogs

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) has just entered its 51st year, providing an occasion to look back — and to look ahead.

On World AIDS Day 2024 (observed Dec. 1), the Justice Department remains unwavering in its commitment to defending the civil rights of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

OVW honors the resiliency and leadership of American Indian and Alaskan Native victims and survivors by recognizing the dedication and accomplishments of Tribal leaders, advocates, and survivors to prevent and end gender-based violence in their own communities. We also take the opportunity during Native American Heritage Month  to affirm our ongoing commitment to honor Tribal sovereignty and uphold the federal trust responsibility as we work alongside the 574 unique federally recognized Tribes to address domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and sex trafficking.

A crucial element of the Justice Department’s fight against white collar crime is transparency — being clear about what we at the department are doing and why. As someone who has spent significant time as a defense lawyer, I know from personal experience how important it is to be able to explain to your client — whether that client is an individual or a board of directors at a publicly traded company — what is happening in an investigation, how the government might view their actions, and the risks and the benefits of proceeding in a certain way.

October’s cases include violations involving the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, animal smuggling and wildlife trafficking, emissions tampering, asbestos and hazardous waste disposal, king crab harvesting, animal welfare/animal crush statutes, vessel pollution, and more.

The USTP is warning consumer debtors of a scam operator calling itself the “Bankruptcy Fraud Watchdog Group,” which sends letters falsely accusing debtors of failing to disclose assets in their bankruptcy cases and threatening “legal consequences” such as criminal prosecution unless debtors pay a “one-time amnesty fine.” 

The nomination period for the 2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Awards is now open! Nominations are due by December 6, 2024.

The CFO Council will hold its next public meeting on November 7, 2024.

Newly issued 2024 Summary and Assessment highlights a range of efforts by agencies in key areas of FOIA administration and includes OIP guidance for further improvement. OIP also issues new Guidelines for 2025. 

September's cases include violations involving the smuggling of Marco Polo argali sheep into the U.S., and tropical birds in the Caribbean, severing of a smalltooth sawfish, selling of eagle parts, dogfighting, asbestos abatement, oil pollution, destruction of wetlands, and more.

A Request for Information aims to gather suggestions for commitments that could be included in the Sixth U.S. Open Government National Action Plan. 

The Office of Information Policy announces Annual FOIA Report, Chief FOIA Officer Report, and Quarterly Report submission deadlines and resources.