District Not Recorded
The source did not name an office we could identify. These records remain unassigned rather than guessed.
Peruvian National Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Defraud Thousands of Spanish-Speaking ImmigrantsRead the Press Release
A Peruvian national has been sentenced to 90 months in prison for operating a series of call centers in Peru that defrauded Spanish-speaking U.S. residents by falsely threatening them with arrest, deportation and other legal consequences. In the same case, two additional Peruvian co-conspirators pleaded guilty and two others were extradited to the Southern District of Florida to face prosecution for their roles in the scheme.
According to court documents, Omar Cuzcano Marroquin, 32, of Lima, Peru, was sentenced for conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud through a series of Peruvian call centers that used false statements and threats to obtain money from Spanish-speaking individuals across the United States. Cuzcano and others falsely told victims that they were required to accept and pay for English-language courses and other educational products and that failure to do so placed them in legal jeopardy.
Cuzcano admitted that he and his employees falsely claimed to be lawyers, court officials, federal agents and representatives of a so-called “minor crimes court,” which does not exist. The callers falsely threatened victims with court proceedings, negative marks on their credit reports, imprisonment and immigration consequences if they did not immediately pay for the purportedly delivered products and settlement fees. Between April 2011 and July 2019, thousands of U.S. victims made payments based on calls from their call centers. Cuzcano and his co-conspirators collected millions of dollars from victims.
“The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch will steadfastly pursue and prosecute transnational criminals who defraud vulnerable U.S. consumers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The defendants in this case brazenly defrauded recent immigrants by falsely promising free products to improve their English. In reality, the defendants were luring their victims into a trap of intimidation and fear, leaving them far worse off – with substantial financial losses and, often, emotional scars from these crimes. Today’s sentence demonstrates that defendants who prey upon U.S. consumers from abroad will not do so with impunity.”
“Today’s sentence serves not only as just punishment for this defendant but also as notice to others who seek to prey on vulnerable victims in the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida. “Know that the Justice Department and its partners will aggressively investigate such criminal activity. Wherever you are, we will find you and hold you accountable.”
“In this international telemarketing scheme, deceptive scare tactics were used to threaten thousands of vulnerable U.S. consumers into purchasing undelivered products by falsely purporting to use America’s legal system against them and coercing them out of millions of dollars,” said Inspector in Charge Joseph Cronin of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “Today’s sentencing hopefully brings relief to U.S. residents who were victimized by this transnational fraudulent scheme. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, are committed to holding individuals who use the U.S. Mail to defraud consumers accountable.”
Two of Cuzcano’s co-defendants also recently pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme. Henrry Adrian Milla Campuzano, 37, of Lima, Peru, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud earlier today. According to court documents, Milla was the owner and operator of fraudulent call centers located in Peru called “Latinos en Accion” and “Accion Latino,” which similarly extorted immigrants in the U.S. by falsely identifying themselves as private company lawyers and court or immigrations officials.
Another co-defendant, Fernan Huerta Haro, 34, of Lima, Peru, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud on June 11. According to court documents, Huerta owned and operated call centers called “Camino Al Progreso” and “Neshuer Corporation” in Peru. In pleading guilty, Huerta admitted that, from 2011 until his 2019 arrest, he and his employees threatened and defrauded many Spanish-speaking recent immigrants to the United States as part of the scheme.
Milla and Huerta will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. this fall, and both face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Judge Scola will determine their sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Cuzcano, Milla and Huerta were part of a group of five defendants who were arrested on July 2, 2019, by Peruvian authorities based on a U.S. extradition request, and each has remained incarcerated since that time. The defendants were extradited to the Southern District of Florida on Oct. 23, 2020. All five defendants have now been convicted of conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud. Two additional indicted co-defendants in the case – Carlos Alberto Espinoza Huerta and Josmell Arturo Espinoza Huerta – evaded arrest at the time of their five co-defendants’ arrests in Peru. They were eventually located and arrested by Peruvian law enforcement, were extradited to the United States on June 25 and are being detained at the Federal Detention Center in Miami.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Phil Toomajian and Max Goldman of the Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case. The Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and the Peruvian National Police provided critical assistance.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Click to view Spanish language version of this press release.
Justice Department Issues Statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Efforts to Invest in Competition in the Meatpacking IndustryRead the Press Release
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta issued the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for public comment on how best to invest American Rescue Plan funds to improve competition and resiliency in the meatpacking industry:
“The Justice Department commends the USDA for today’s step toward spurring new entry and increasing competition in meatpacking. USDA’s efforts align with the department’s commitment to vigorously enforcing the antitrust laws in the agriculture industry. The antitrust laws work best when paired with robust government policies to ensure that new competitors can successfully enter and challenge entrenched incumbents.”
Ciudadano peruano sentenciado a 90 meses en prisión por conspirar para defraudar a miles de inmigrantes de habla hispanaRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Un ciudadano peruano fue sentenciado a 90 meses en prisión por operar una serie de centros de llamadas en Perú que defraudaron a residentes estadounidenses de habla hispana, amenazándolos falsamente con arresto, deportación y otras consecuencias legales. En ese mismo caso, otros dos cómplices peruanos se declararon culpables y otros dos fueron extraditados al Distrito Sur de Florida para ser procesados por su papel en el plan.
Según documentos judiciales, Omar Cuzcano Marroquín, de 32 años, de Lima, Perú, fue sentenciado por conspirar para cometer fraude postal y fraude electrónico por medio de una serie de centros de llamadas peruanos que utilizaban declaraciones falsas y amenazas para obtener dinero de personas de habla hispana en todo Estados Unidos. Cuzcano y otros le dijeron falsamente a las víctimas que debían aceptar y pagar cursos de inglés y otros productos educativos y que si no lo hacían se pondrían en peligro legal.
Cuzcano admitió que él y sus empleados afirmaron falsamente ser abogados, funcionarios judiciales, agentes federales y representantes de un llamado “tribunal de delitos menores”, que no existe. Las personas que llamaban amenazaban a las víctimas con falsos procedimiento judiciales, marcas negativas en sus informes crediticios, encarcelamiento y consecuencias migratorias si no pagaban de inmediato los productos que supuestamente entregaron y las tarifas de liquidación. Entre abril de 2011 y julio de 2019 miles de víctimas estadounidenses realizaron pagos basados en llamadas de sus centros de llamadas. Cuzcano y sus cómplices acumularon millones de dólares de las víctimas.
“La Rama de Protección al Consumidor del Departamento de Justicia perseguirá y enjuiciará firmemente a los delincuentes transnacionales que defrauden a los consumidores estadounidenses vulnerables”, dijo Brian M. Boynton, Secretario Interino de Justicia Auxiliar. “Los acusados en este caso defraudaron descaradamente a personas recién inmigradas prometiéndoles productos gratuitos para mejorar su inglés. En realidad los acusados atarían a sus víctimas a una trampa de intimidación y miedo, que los dejaba mucho peor, con importantes pérdidas financieras y, muchas veces, cicatrices emocionales por estos crímenes. La sentencia de hoy demuestra que los acusados que se aprovechan de los consumidores estadounidenses desde otros países no quedan impunes”.
“La sentencia de hoy no sólo sirve como un castigo para este acusado, pero como aviso a otras personas que busquen aprovecharse de víctimas vulnerables en Estados Unidos”, dijo el Fiscal Federal Interino, Juan Antonio González, del Distrito Sur de Florida. “Sepan que el Departamento de Justicia y sus socios investigarán agresivamente dicha actividad criminal. Dondequiera que estén, los encontraremos y los haremos responsables”.
“En este esquema de telemarketing internacional, se usaron tácticas engañosas que provocan miedo para amenazar a miles de consumidores estadounidenses vulnerables para que compraran productos que no se iban a entregar, al pretender usar falsamente el sistema legal de Estados Unidos en su contra y coaccionarlos con millones de dólares”, dijo el Inspector a Cargo, Joseph Cronin del Servicio de Inspección Postal de Estados Unidos División de Miami. “Se espera que la sentencia de hoy le brinde alivio a los residentes estadounidenses que fueron víctimas de este fraudulento esquema transnacional. El Servicio de Inspección Postal de Estados Unidos, junto con la Rama de Protección al Consumidor del Departamento de Justicia y la Oficina Fiscal de Estados Unidos están comprometidos con responsabilizar a las personas que utilizan el correo de Estados Unidos para defraudar a consumidores”.
Recientemente dos de los cómplices de Cuzcano también se declararon culpables de su participación en el plan. Henrry Adrián Milla Campuzano, de 37 años, de Lima Perú hoy se declaró culpable de conspiración al cometer fraude postal y electrónico. De acuerdo con los documentos judiciales, Mills era propietario y operador de fraudulentos centros de llamadas que se llaman “Latinos en Acción” y “Acción Latino” localizados en Perú, que de forma similar extorsionaban a inmigrantes en Estados Unidos cuando de falsa se identificaban como abogados de empresas privadas y funcionaros judiciales o de inmigración”.
Otro cómplice, Fernán Huerta Haro, de 34 años, de Lima, Perú, el 11 de junio se declaró culpable de conspiración al cometer fraude postal y electrónico. Según los documentos judiciales, Huerta operaba y era propietario de los centros de llamadas “Camino Al Progreso” y “Neshuer Corporation” en Perú. Al declararse culpable, Huerta admitió que, desde 2011 hasta su arresto en 2019, él y sus empleados amenazaron y defraudaron a muchas personas de habla hispana recién inmigradas a Estados Unidos como parte del plan.
Milla y Huerta serán sentenciados por el Juez Federal de Distrito, Robert N. Scola Jr. este otoño, y ambos enfrentan una pena máxima de 20 años de prisión. El Juez Scola determinará sus sentencias después de considerar las Directrices de Sentencia de Estados Unidos y otros factores legales.
Cuzcano, Milla y Huerta formaban parte de un grupo de cinco acusados que las autoridades peruanas arrestaron el 2 de julio de 2019 basado en una solicitud de extradición de Estados Unidos, y cada uno de ellos ha permanecido encarcelado desde ese momento. Los acusados fueron extraditados al Distrito Sur de Florida el 23 de octubre de 2020. Los cinco acusados ya fueron condenados por conspirar para cometer fraude postal y electrónico. Otros dos acusados en el caso, Carlos Alberto Espinoza Huerta y Josmell Arturo Espinoza Huerta, eludieron el arresto en el momento de la detención de sus cinco cómplices en Perú. La policía peruana finalmente los localizó y arrestó, los extraditaron a Estados Unidos el 25 de junio y están detenidos en el Centro de Detención Federal en Miami.
El Servicio de Inspección Postal de Estados Unidos y la División de Protección al Consumidor de la División Civil investigaron el caso. Los abogados litigantes Phil Toomajian y Max Goldman, de la Rama de Protección al Consumidor, está procesando el caso. La Comisión Federal de Comercio, la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia, la Oficina del Fiscal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Sur de Florida, el Servicio de Seguridad Diplomática del Departamento de Estado y la Policía Nacional de Perú brindaron asistencia crítica.
Para más información sobre la Rama de Protección al Consumidor, visite la página web en www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Una dictamen acusatorio simplemente es una acusación y todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta que se pruebe su culpabilidad, más allá de la duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.
St. Jude Agrees to Pay $27 Million for Allegedly Selling Defective Heart DevicesRead the Press Release
St. Jude Medical Inc. (St. Jude) has agreed to pay $27 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that, between November 2014 and October 2016, it knowingly sold defective heart devices to health care facilities that, in turn, implanted the devices into patients insured by federal health care programs. St. Jude was acquired by Abbott Laboratories in January 2017.
“To ensure the health and safety of patients, manufacturers of implantable cardiac devices must be transparent when communicating with the government about safety issues and incidents,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those companies whose conduct violates the law and puts patients’ health at risk.”
“Medical device manufacturers have an obligation to be truthful with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. government will not pay for devices that are unsafe and risk injury or death,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner for the District of Maryland. “The government contends that St. Jude knowingly caused the submission of false claims and failed to inform the FDA with critical information about prior injuries and a death which, had the FDA been made aware, would have led to a recall. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting Medicare and other federal health care programs from fraud, and in doing so strengthen patient safety.”
The government alleges that St. Jude failed to disclose serious adverse health events in connection with the premature depletion of the battery in certain models of its Fortify, Fortify Assura, Quadra and Unify devices, which are implantable defibrillators used in patients at risk of cardiac arrest due to an irregular heartbeat. The devices are surgically implanted into patients’ chests, and when the devices detect an irregular heartbeat, they send an electrical pulse to the heart to “shock” it back to its normal rhythm. The government alleged that, by 2013, St. Jude knew that lithium clusters formed on the batteries of the devices, causing some of the batteries to short and, in turn, suffer a premature power drain.
The government alleges that, in late 2014, St. Jude submitted a request to the FDA to approve a change to prevent lithium clusters from draining the battery and told the FDA, “no serious injury, permanent harm or deaths have been reported associated with this” issue. However, according to the government’s allegations, St. Jude was aware at that time of two reported serious injuries and one death associated with premature battery depletion (PBD) induced by lithium clusters.
St. Jude continued to distribute devices that had been manufactured without the new design. In August 2016, St. Jude contacted the FDA and informed it that the number of PBD events had increased to 729, including two deaths and 29 events associated with loss of pacing. On Oct. 10, 2016, St. Jude issued a medical advisory regarding the PBD caused by lithium cluster shorts, which FDA classified as a Class I recall. A Class I recall is where there is a reasonable probability that “violative” products “will cause serious adverse health consequences, including death.” After the recall, St. Jude no longer sold the older devices, but thousands of them had been implanted into patients between Nov. 20, 2014, and Oct. 10, 2016.
“Ensuring patient safety is our number one priority,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable medical companies who put profits over people and ensure the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“The FDA regulates medical devices to assure that patient health is protected,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office. “Reporting information untruthfully to the agency about the safety of medical devices jeopardizes patients’ health and safety. We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who place the public health at risk.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and its law enforcement partners will aggressively investigate fraud that puts the health of our military members and their families at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher W. Dillard of the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “We hope this settlement sends a clear warning to medical corporations that choose profit over patient care.”
“The OPM OIG prioritizes the health and safety of patients above all else,” said Norbert E. Vint, Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management’s Office of Inspector General (OPM-OIG). “We are grateful for today’s settlement and applaud the hard work of our Department of Justice and law enforcement partners.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Debbie Burke, a patient who received one of the devices that was subject to recall. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Debbie Burke v. St. Jude Medical, Inc., No. 16-cv-3611 (D. Md.).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and Office of General Counsel; DCIS; OPM-OIG; and the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and Office of Chief Counsel.
This matter was handled by Trial Attorney Jonathan Gold of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Corcoran and Jane Andersen of the District of Maryland.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Michigan Man Sentenced to Prison for Attacking Black TeenagerRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that a Michigan man was sentenced today for willfully causing bodily injury to a Black teenager because of the teenager’s race.
Lee Mouat, 43, pleaded guilty on March 4. He was sentenced to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his hate crime.
According to documents filed in connection with this case, Mouat admitted that he confronted a group of Black teenagers, including the victim, at a state park in Monroe, Michigan. Mouat repeatedly used racial slurs and said that Black people had no right to use the public beach where the incident occurred. Mouat then struck one of the teens in the face with a bike lock, knocking out several of the victim’s teeth, lacerating his face and mouth, and fracturing his jaw. Mouat also attempted to strike another Black teenager with the bike lock.
“The defendant brutally attacked teenagers at a public beach because these young people are Black,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Hate-fueled violent crimes like this have no place in our communities. Protecting Americans from hate crimes is a top priority of the Justice Department and we will use every tool available to bring perpetrators to justice.”
“Our office is committed to protecting the rights of all citizens, and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin for the Eastern District of Michigan. “The cowardly and unprovoked attack on this young victim is terribly disturbing. Every individual citizen has the right to not live in fear of violence or attack based on the color of their skin.”
“Combating hate crimes and protecting individual's civil rights is one of the top priorities of the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Mouat was held accountable for his violent and hateful actions due to the collaborative efforts of the FBI, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Justice. The outcome of this case sends a clear message to our community that law enforcement at every level will investigate crimes motivated by hate and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Carlson of the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division.
For more information and resources on the department’s efforts to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Medical Device Companies Alere Inc. and Alere San Diego Inc. Agree to Pay $38.75 Million to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Medical device manufacturers Alere Inc. and Alere San Diego Inc. (collectively, Alere) have agreed to pay $38.75 million to resolve allegations that the companies violated the False Claims Act by billing, and causing others to bill, the Medicare program for defective rapid point-of-care testing devices.
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that, from 2008 to 2016, Alere knowingly sold defective INRatio blood coagulation monitors used by Medicare beneficiaries taking anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin. For those patients, blood coagulation monitoring is essential to determining a clinically appropriate and safe dosage for their medications. Too much of an anticoagulant drug can cause major bleeding, and too little of the drug can cause blood clots and strokes.
Since at least 2008, Alere allegedly knew that the software algorithm used in each version of its INRatio monitors contained a material defect. Based on its own internal research, as well as external complaints and warnings, Alere allegedly was aware that INRatio devices had a “system limitation” that produced inaccurate and unreliable results for some patients. The United States alleged that, despite awareness that INRatio systems were linked to over a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries, including intra-cerebral hemorrhaging and cardiovascular events following bleeding episodes, Alere concealed the defect for years and billed Medicare for the use of defective INRatio devices. Alere allegedly failed to take appropriate corrective actions until 2016, when the devices were removed from the market following a nationwide Class I product recall undertaken at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Patients and health care providers rely on diagnostic devices to provide reliable health information,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will hold accountable medical device companies that knowingly sell defective products that can harm patients and waste taxpayer dollars.”
“Health care companies have an obligation to be candid and clear in their disclosures to the FDA,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig for the District of New Jersey. “The government expects companies to be proactive in investigating issues affecting patient safety. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey will hold accountable any company that fails to meet these obligations.”
“Companies that withhold information from or provide false information to FDA put patients’ health at risk and jeopardize the integrity of the regulatory process designed to protect the public health,” said Timothy Stenzel, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
“Medical device providers who cut corners or purposefully market defective tools put profit above patient health,” said Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. of the FBI. “The FBI will not sit idly by when people’s lives are at risk. It’s an ill-advised business model that ignores the consequences of getting caught.”
This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with investigative support from the FBI’s Newark Division and Healthcare Fraud Unit Major Provider Response Team and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
This matter was handled by Trial Attorney Christopher Terranova of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Meyler of the District of New Jersey.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Justice Department to Provide Funding for Body-Worn Cameras to Small, Rural and Tribal Law Enforcement AgenciesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is releasing $7.65 million in a competitive microgrant grant solicitation that will fund body-worn cameras (BWCs) to any law enforcement department with 50 or fewer full-time sworn personnel, rural agencies (those agencies within non-urban or non-metro counties); and federally-recognized Tribal agencies.
“The Justice Department is committed to providing law enforcement with valuable resources to increase accountability and build trust with the communities they serve,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today we encourage all small, rural and Tribal law enforcement agencies to apply for funding for this important tool that will enhance protection for both officers and citizens.”
“The grant solicitation today will help law enforcement agencies and their communities improve evidentiary outcomes, and enhance the safety of, and improve interactions between, officers and the public,” said Acting Director Kristen Mahoney of BJA. “Importantly, this grant program will make it easier for small, rural and Tribal law enforcement agencies to apply for funding. It’s an online application that will streamline the grant process for these agencies.”
Funds must be used to purchase or lease body-worn cameras and may include expenses reasonably related to BWC program implementation. Funding can be used to support pilot BWC programs, establish new BWC implementation or expand existing programs.
BJA has selected Justice & Security Strategies Inc. to administer the grant program through a cooperative agreement. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.srtbwc.com. All applications are due by August 31, 2021.
Agencies interested in body-worn camera funding that do not meet the eligibility criteria for small, rural and Tribal as described in the microgrant solicitation should note that the FY 2021 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies grant solicitation is currently open. That solicitation will close on July 12, 2021. The anticipated total amount to be awarded under that solicitation is $27.5 million.
Today’s announcement follows Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco’s recent memo to the department’s law enforcement components directing them to develop and submit for review their plans for BWC policies that require agents to wear and activate BWC recording equipment for purposes of recording their actions during: (1) a pre-planned attempt to serve an arrest warrant or other pre-planned arrest, including the apprehension of fugitives sought on state and local warrants; or (2) the execution of a search or seizure warrant or order. The Deputy Attorney General will work with the department’s law enforcement components in the coming weeks to review their policies and finalize implementation plans.
For resources to support the development and implementation of body-worn camera programs, the Department of Justice has created a Body-Worn Camera Tool Kit.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance helps to make American communities safer by strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system. BJA’s grants, cooperative agreements, training and technical assistance and policy development services provide state, local and Tribal governments with the cutting-edge tools and best practices they need to reduce violent and drug-related crime, support law enforcement and combat victimization.
BJA is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov
Former Louisiana Construction Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Louisiana man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the IRS.
According to court documents, from 2011 to at least June 2019, Mathew Reck, of St. Tammany Parish, conspired to defraud the IRS by underreporting his own and others’ individual incomes. With respect to his personal returns, Reck directed his co-conspirator accountant in emails to “get really creative with the 2012 taxes” and to “crush” his 2013 taxes. On his 2012 and 2013 tax returns, Reck underreported the income that he earned from his construction businesses, SES Construction Consulting Group (SES) and Global Technical Solutions (Global), which he co-owned until December 2015.
Reck also conspired with others to defraud the IRS by paying some SES and Global workers “off the books” in cash, by underpaying employment taxes, and by not reporting workers’ full compensations to the IRS. In total, Reck caused a tax loss to the United States of $1,017,024.
Reck is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys William Montague and Parker Tobin of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
Readout from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s Meetings Commemorating Six Months since the January 6th Attack on the CapitolRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland this afternoon met with U.S. Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6th, and with Department of Justice employees who have worked tirelessly to hold accountable those who attacked the Capitol six months ago today.
Along with Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, the Attorney General met with investigators, analysts, prosecutors, and professional staff assigned to January 6th cases from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. During the meeting, the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General also acknowledged the extraordinary work of dedicated public servants in U.S. Attorney’s Offices and FBI Field Offices across the country.
The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General recognized the important work and recent milestones in this investigation, including the arrest of more than 535 defendants in almost all 50 states. The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General encouraged the team to continue to follow the facts in this case and charge what the evidence supports to hold all January 6th perpetrators accountable.
Later, the Attorney General visited with members of the U.S. Capitol Police, where he commended them for their bravery on January 6th and expressed his appreciation for their continued service and sacrifice.
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The FBI has released 11 new videos of suspects in violent assaults on federal officers on January 6th and is seeking the public’s help to identify them. For images and video of the attackers, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/capitol-violence. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The charges contained in any criminal complaint or indictment are merely allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Maryland Accountant Convicted of Preparing False Tax Returns for D.C. ResidentsRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the District of Columbia convicted a Maryland woman today for preparing three false tax returns for District of Columbia residents that claimed more than $1.1 million in fraudulent refunds.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Charese Johnson, of Aberdeen, Maryland, operated Prodigy Accounting Services and prepared false amended income tax returns in 2014 for three District of Columbia taxpayers. Those returns fraudulently claimed large refunds based upon fictious refundable credits and phony withholdings that had never been paid to the IRS.
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 17 and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison on each count. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Special Agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Abigail Burger Chingos and Jeffrey McLellan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Major International Automotive-Parts Suppliers Restructure Deal to Resolve Antitrust ConcernsRead the Press Release
Auto parts supplier Tupy agreed to restructure its acquisition of Teksid after the Department of Justice raised concerns that the merger would result in higher prices and reduced quality and timeliness of production for crucial components used in heavy-duty engines. As initially proposed, the deal would have combined the two most significant suppliers of engine blocks and cylinder heads for heavy-duty engines to customers in North America. These components are key inputs for engines used in large trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, as well as numerous other vehicles.
Under the original agreement, Tupy would have acquired Teksid’s entire iron automotive components business from Teksid’s parent company Stellantis N.V. The original acquisition included Teksid’s plant and other assets in Mexico used to manufacture iron blocks and heads for U.S. automotive customers. Following the restructuring, Tupy will acquire only Teksid’s iron operations in Brazil and Portugal. Teksid will retain its iron operations in Mexico and continue to compete with Tupy to supply U.S. customers.
“Tupy’s decision to restructure their merger is a victory for American engine manufacturers and consumers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “I commend our team for their diligence in conducting a thorough investigation, a testament to the division’s resolve to enforce the antitrust laws. As originally proposed, the transaction would have eliminated competition that keeps prices low and quality high for vital industries such as transportation and agriculture.”
Tupy S.A., a Brazilian company headquartered in Brazil, is the largest supplier of iron blocks and heads for heavy-duty engines to customers in North America. Tupy owns four iron foundries, two in Brazil and two in Mexico.
Teksid S.p.A., an Italian corporation headquartered in Italy, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stellantis, a multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Teksid is the second largest supplier of blocks and heads for heavy-duty engines in North America. Teksid owns iron foundries in Mexico, Brazil, Poland, and Portugal. Teksid is also part of a joint venture that owns an iron foundry in China.
Justice Department Withdraws from Settlement with the National Association of RealtorsRead the Press Release
Today the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a notice of withdrawal of consent to a proposed settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The department has also filed to voluntarily dismiss its complaint without prejudice. The department determined that the settlement will not adequately protect the department’s rights to investigate other conduct by NAR that could impact competition in the real estate market and may harm home sellers and home buyers. The department is taking this action to permit a broader investigation of NAR’s rules and conduct to proceed without restriction.
“The proposed settlement will not sufficiently protect the Antitrust Division’s ability to pursue future claims against NAR,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Real estate is central to the American economy and consumers pay billions of dollars in real estate commissions every year. We cannot be bound by a settlement that prevents our ability to protect competition in a market that profoundly affects Americans’ financial well-being.”
As the real estate industry’s leading trade association, NAR has rules and policies that affect millions of real estate brokers and agents and, in turn, impact millions of American home buyers and sellers, who, according to reported industry data, paid over $85 billion in residential real estate commissions last year. The department filed a complaint and proposed settlement on Nov. 19, 2020. The complaint alleged that NAR established and enforced certain rules and policies that illegally restrained competition in residential real estate services. The proposed settlement sought to remedy those illegal practices and encourage greater competition among realtors, but it also prevented the department from pursuing other antitrust claims relating to NAR’s rules.
Under a stipulation signed by the parties and entered by the court, the department has sole discretion to withdraw its consent to the proposed settlement. The proposed settlement may also be modified with consent from the department and from NAR. The department sought NAR’s agreement to modify the settlement to adequately protect and preserve the department’s rights to investigate and challenge additional conduct by NAR, but the department and NAR could not reach an agreement. Because the settlement resolved only some of the department’s concerns with NAR’s rules, this step ensures that the department can continue to enforce the antitrust laws in this important market.
Former Construction Executive Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A New York construction executive was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 51 months in prison for evading taxes on more than $1.8 million in bribes he received from building subcontractors.
According to the criminal information, as well as other public documents and recent court proceedings, between 2011 and 2017, Vito Nigro, formerly of Middletown, New Jersey, and now of Ocean, New Jersey, was a senior construction official at Turner Construction Company, a major construction firm that performed building projects in New York City for Bloomberg LLP. Nigro used his position to participate in a scheme to obtain bribes from construction subcontractors, who paid kickbacks in exchange for being awarded construction contracts and subcontracts. In total, Nigro received approximately $1,350,000 in unlawful cash payments, which he did not report on his 2011 to 2017 tax returns. Nigro also received in-kind bribes in the form of renovations and improvement projects at his New Jersey residence.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Torres indicated that a restitution order would be entered, with the amount being no less than $780,000 owed by Nigro to the IRS, and no more than $812,000.
In related proceedings, co-conspirator Ronald Olson, the former vice president and deputy operations manager at Turner Construction, was sentenced on June 15 by the Honorable P. Kevin Castel to 46 months in prison for evading taxes on more than $1.5 million in bribes. Another co-conspirator, Anthony Guzzone, a former Director of Global Construction at Bloomberg, was sentenced on Jan. 19 by the Honorable Lewis J. Liman to 38 months in prison for evading taxes on more than $1.45 million in bribes in the same scheme. Michael Campana, a subordinate construction manager at Bloomberg also involved in the same scheme, was sentenced on July 24, 2020, by the Honorable Denise L. Cote to 24 months in prison for evading taxes on more than $420,000 in bribes.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss for the Southern District of New York made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Stanley J. Okula of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raymond Lewis of the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit are in charge of the prosecution.
Department of Justice Statement on Supreme Court Decision in BrnovichRead the Press Release
The U.S. Department of Justice today released the following statement from spokesman Anthony Coley following the Supreme Court’s decision in Brnovich, et al. v. Democratic National Committee, et al.:
“The Attorney General has made clear, ‘the Department of Justice will never stop working to protect the democracy to which all Americans are entitled.’ The department remains strongly committed to challenging discriminatory election laws and will continue to use every legal tool available to protect all qualified Americans seeking to participate in the electoral process. The department urges Congress to enact additional legislation to provide more effective protection for every American’s right to vote.”
Defendants Sentenced in Four Separate CasesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA/LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced the resolution of numerous cases this week in United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana, all of which are listed below.
SENTENCING HEARINGS – LAFAYETTE
Joshua L. Damond, 29, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 78 months (6 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Damond was charged in an indictment and pleaded guilty on March 8, 2021.
In June 2020, Damond led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase after leaving the residence where his daughter lived with her mother. When Damond went to the residence where his daughter lived, the mother refused to allow him to enter the residence, but he kicked in the door and then got into a verbal altercation with her. The mother and daughter left, and he followed them. Law enforcement officers arrived on the scene and observed Damond leaving the area and attempted a traffic stop. He refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. During the chase, officers observed Damond throw items from the vehicle. Other officers assisting in the chase stopped to find the item that was thrown and found a firearm wrapped in the blue shirt Damond had been wearing. He was apprehended and arrested. The firearm was determined to be stolen.
Damond has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine (2014) and monies derived from drug violation and illegal possession of stolen firearm (2015) and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The ATF, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel prosecuted the case.
Shaun J. Labbe, 38, and Ana C. Smith, 33, both of Scott, Louisiana, have been sentenced by United States District Judge Robert L. Summerhays on drug trafficking charges. Labbe was sentenced to 210 months (17 years, 6 months) and Smith was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for each.
Labbe and Smith were indicted on March 18, 2020 and charged with drug trafficking and firearms charges. Labbe pleaded guilty March 5, 2021 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Smith pleaded guilty January 6, 2021 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Evidence introduced in court revealed that in 2018, agents with the Lafayette Parish Narcotics Unit began investigating Labbe and Smith who were suspected of selling large quantities of methamphetamine from their residence and his place of business. Law enforcement agents obtained search warrants for their residence and his place of business and in October 2018 executed those warrants. Agents found 370.7 grams of methamphetamine, 45.4 grams of marijuana and other narcotics, as well as over $8,000 in cash, two handguns, and other drug paraphernalia. During a search of Labbe’s place of business, agents found approximately 5,053 grams of methamphetamine which was hidden inside a child’s playhouse. Labbe admitted the seized items and cash found in the residence were his and that he was aware the narcotics were hidden in the business. Smith admitted to law enforcement that she knew about the items in the residence and that she participated in the distribution and sale of methamphetamine in Lafayette Parish.
The DEA, FBI and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel prosecuted the cases.
SENTENCING HEARINGS – ALEXANDRIA
United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced the following defendants in Alexandria:
Chace Middlebrooks, 37, of Evergreen, Louisiana, was sentenced to spend 59 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Middlebrooks was charged in an indictment and pleaded guilty March 26, 2021. According to court documents, Middlebrooks had an outstanding arrest warrant and on April 20, 2020, two Louisiana State Police troopers spotted a vehicle that belonged to him near a residence in Evergreen. As the troopers drove toward the vehicle, the driver who was later identified as Middlebrooks, led the troopers on a brief pursuit and after a short time they were able to stop the vehicle and arrest him. Middlebrooks admitted to having a sawed-off shotgun in his possession prior to the pursuit and troopers were able to find and seize the gun. Middlebrooks has four prior felony convictions for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling (2009); theft and illegal possession of stolen things (2011); violation of a protective order (2019); and domestic abuse battery by strangulation (2019), and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten prosecuted the case.
Baldomero C. Velasco, 31, of Baytown, Texas, and Antonio Zarate, 22, of South Houston, Texas, were each sentenced on drug trafficking charges. Velasco and Zarate were each sentenced to 28 months in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges on January 31, 2020.
Velasco pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and admitted to conspiring with his co-defendants to willfully joining in the conspiracy and knew of its unlawful purpose. He stipulated and agreed that the conspiracy involved at least 500 grams or more of cocaine and that the acts took place in the Western District of Louisiana.
Zarate pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging interstate travel or transportation in aid of racketeering. He admitted that on March 16 and 17, 2018, he traveled from the State of Tennessee to the State of Louisiana with the specific intent of carrying out an unlawful activity, by conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security-Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the cases.
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Imposes a Moratorium on Federal Executions; Orders Review of Policies and ProceduresRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a memorandum imposing a moratorium on federal executions while a review of the Justice Department’s policies and procedures is pending.
“The Department of Justice must ensure that everyone in the federal criminal justice system is not only afforded the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States, but is also treated fairly and humanely,” said Attorney General Garland. “That obligation has special force in capital cases.”
In the last two years, the department made a series of changes to capital case policies and procedures and carried out the first federal executions in nearly two decades between July 2020 and January 2021. That included adopting a new protocol for administering lethal injections at the federal Bureau of Prisons, using the drug pentobarbital. Attorney General Garland’s memorandum directs the Deputy Attorney General to lead a multi-pronged review of these recent policy changes, including:
- A review coordinated by the Office of Legal Policy of the Addendum to the Federal Execution Protocol, adopted in 2019, which will assess, among other things, the risk of pain and suffering associated with the use of pentobarbital.
- A review coordinated by the Office of Legal Policy to consider changes to Justice Department regulations made in November 2020 that expanded the permissible methods of execution beyond lethal injection, and authorized the use of state facilities and personnel in federal executions.
- A review of the Justice Manual’s capital case provisions, including the December 2020 and January 2021 changes to expedite execution of capital sentences.
The Attorney General’s memorandum requires the reviews to include consultations with a wide range of stakeholders including the relevant department components, other federal and state agencies, medical experts and experienced capital counsel, among others.
No federal executions will be scheduled while the reviews are pending.
The Attorney General’s memorandum can be found here: /media/1149381/dl?inline.
Mississippi Prison’s Deputy Warden Charged with Civil Rights Offense for Beating InmateRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced yesterday that a federal grand jury indicted Melvin Hilson, 49, currently a deputy warden at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, for repeatedly striking an inmate and knocking him to the ground, resulting in injury to the inmate.
The indictment charges Hilson with a felony civil rights offense for assaulting the inmate in 2016, when Hilson was a member of the K-9 Unit at the prison, which is also known as Parchman. The indictment also alleges that Hilson wrote a false report to conceal his unlawful assault and, later, lied to investigators from the Mississippi Department of Corrections when questioned about the assault.
Yesterday’s indictment was announced by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner for the Northern District of Mississippi and FBI Jackson Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin.
This case was investigated by the Jackson Division of the FBI. Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel and Trial Attorney Cameron Bell of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims of the Northern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Dog FightingRead the Press Release
A Louisiana man pleaded guilty yesterday to possession of an animal for use in an animal fighting venture.
According to court documents, beginning as early as June 22, 2017, Clay Turner, 61, of Loranger, possessed and trained dogs for the purpose of having them participate in animal fighting ventures. On telephone calls obtained via court-authorized wiretaps, Turner and others discussed gambling on dog fights, arranging and participating in dog fights, sponsoring and exhibiting dogs in dog fights, training and housing dogs for the purposes of dog fighting, commerce in and transport of fighting dogs and the promotion of dog fights. Turner also stated he would give the dogs “dex,” referring to Dexamethasone—a substance that causes bowel evacuation—to achieve proper weight for the dog fights.
On or about Oct. 24, 2017, a federal law enforcement team consisting of agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies, executed a search warrant on Turner’s residence in Loranger. During the search, 33 dogs were found on the property, many of which had injuries, scarring, and/or wounding consistent with dog fighting activities. Law enforcement also recovered a large collection of dog fighting paraphernalia.
“Our system of justice does not tolerate the torment and death of animals in this blood sport for personal entertainment or financial gain,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Beyond the harm imposed on these dogs, animal shelters, nonprofit organizations, and the taxpayers pay the price for caring for the dogs once they are no longer useful to the dog fighters. We will aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals who engage in animal fighting of any kind.”
Turner pleaded guilty to possession of an animal for an animal fighting venture. Turner is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Trial Attorneys Matthew D. Evans and Christopher Hale of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Shih of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the City of Killeen, Texas to Improve Access for Individuals with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced a settlement with the City of Killeen, Texas, to provide equal access in its programs, services, facilities and activities to individuals with disabilities, including veterans. The agreement is part of the department’s commitment to ensuring that civic institutions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Killeen has a large population of veterans, active duty military service members, retirees and their families.
Under the agreement, the City of Killeen will remove barriers to access in buildings such as City Hall, police stations, libraries, technology centers, community centers and places of recreation. The agreement requires the City to make changes to its facilities so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, restrooms, signage, service counters and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities, and that auditoriums and arenas have the required wheelchair and companion seating. The agreement also requires the City to provide aids and services to ensure effective communication for individuals with hearing disabilities, establish accessible emergency shelters and services, assure that its websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities and implement a plan for the accessibility of sidewalks and curb cuts within the City.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that individuals with disabilities have equal access to civic programs, services and facilities," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that cities and other public entities eliminate physical and communication barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from participating fully in community life. We commend the City of Killeen for its commitment to working with the Civil Rights Division to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities, including veterans.”
“The City of Killeen has committed to removing barriers to civic participation for individuals with disabilities, including the many veterans who call our district home,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley Hoff for the Western District of Texas. “Our office remains dedicated to supporting efforts to improve access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities.”
This matter was handled by the Disability Rights Section of the department’s Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit the ADA website at http://www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint/.
Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which provides federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
“The Department of Justice is committed to improving public safety in Tribal communities and the Tribal Access Program (TAP) is a key component in achieving this goal,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “TAP provides a means for federally recognized Tribes to effectively access critical criminal justice information to improve public safety and protect Tribal communities. This program has helped improve police officer safety, apprehend fugitives, register convicted sex offenders, enforce domestic violence protection orders, and protect children. With this opening of the application period, more Tribes will be able to protect their communities by participating in this successful program.”
The program provides training as well as software and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 99 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The department will accept TAP applications from July 1 through Aug. 31, 2021. Tribes selected to participate will be notified in September.
“TAP is a positive resource for criminal and non-criminal justice organizations of our tribal nation,” said Program Supervisor Orlando Bowman of the Navajo Nation Police Department, Information Management Section. “We continue to coordinate and communicate on potential uses and applications.”
“The Tribal Access Program (TAP) has become an indispensable tool in providing vital law enforcement information to our officers in the field as well as providing 21st century policing techniques for our community,” said Chief of Police Dana Norton of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria. “The TAP has allowed our nation to flourish and succeed every day since launching with our department.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities throughout July and August, beginning on July 1. Webinars will be offered on the following dates: July 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 23, 26 & 29, and Aug. 2, 6, 12, 13, 17 & 19.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; registered convicted sex offenders; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; run criminal histories; identified and arrested fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
The department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides software that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Interstate Identification Index (III), and the International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets) for criminal justice purposes.
- TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act;
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers;
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection; or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART); the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS); the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC); and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). TAP is co-managed by the department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ).
For more information about TAP, including our webinar dates, time and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Former Owner of Florida Produce Business Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Florida man pleaded guilty today to tax evasion in federal district court in Fort Lauderdale.
According to court documents, Alejandro Gomez, of Broward County, operated Fleischmann’s Produce, a company that imported fresh herbs for wholesale distribution. Gomez spent approximately $896,951 in 2014 and $1,051,213 in 2015 gambling at a Broward County casino. In March 2015, Gomez filed a false 2014 corporate tax return for Fleischmann’s with the IRS that overstated total business expenditures by falsely reporting the $896,951 in gambling expenditures as cost of goods sold. The next year, Gomez caused a false 2015 corporate tax return to be filed that again falsely characterized his gambling expenditures as cost of goods sold. Because the false items reported on Fleishmann’s 2014 and 2015 corporate returns artificially reduced the income that Gomez received from Fleischmann’s, Gomez also substantially underreported his personal income for both years. In total, Gomez caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $545,000.
Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Grace Albinson and David Zisserson of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Federal Court Permanently Enjoins Tax Return Preparer in IllinoisRead the Press Release
A federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has permanently enjoined a Rockford-area tax return preparer from preparing returns for others and from owning, operating or franchising any tax return preparation business in the future.
According to the court’s order, Gretchen Alvarez, aka Gretchen Trejo, consented to entry of the injunction, which permits the United States to conduct post-judgment discovery to monitor compliance. The terms of the order require that Alvarez, both individually and doing business as Sick Credit Repair, Tax and Legal Services, send notice of the injunction to multiple individuals, and, during the tax filing season, advertise the injunction in places where she conducts business. The civil complaint filed against Alvarez alleged that she prepared federal income tax returns for Rockford-area taxpayers that significantly understated her customers’ tax liabilities by fabricating business losses, which fraudulently reduced her customer’s legitimate W-2 taxable income. The complaint also alleged that Alvarez falsely claimed that some of her customers attended higher education institutions to fraudulently claim education credits on the returns she prepared.
Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams, and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. (More information can also be found here.) The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers, whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Belgian Security Services Company and Three Former Executives Indicted for Bid Rigging on U.S. Department of Defense ContractsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Belgium-based Seris Security NV (Seris) and three executives for their roles in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate customers for defense-related security services, including a multimillion-dollar contract issued in 2020 to provide security services to the U.S. Department of Defense for military bases and installations in Belgium. This is the second charge and first indictment involving an international conspiracy obtained by the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) and follows G4S Secure Solution NV’s (G4S) agreement to plead guilty in the investigation.
“The companies and individuals indicted are alleged to have rigged bids submitted to the U.S. Department of Defense and others, and abused the public trust placed in them as providers of security services at critical locations,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “We are committed to prosecuting procurement collusion that victimizes U.S. government agencies, wherever it occurs, and we are determined to hold those who seek to exploit U.S. government programs accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the culmination of extremely well-coordinated, diligent and tireless efforts by the FBI and our law enforcement partners working on the Procurement Collusion Strike Force to root out collusion that targets U.S. taxpayer dollars funding contracts overseas,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office.
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense procurement system,” said Deputy Director Paul K. Sternal of DCIS. “This indictment demonstrates our resolve, alongside Department of Justice and Procurement Collusion Strike Force partners, to bring those who corrupt the competitive DoD contracting process and endanger U.S. national security to justice.”
The indictment, returned in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charges former G4S Chief Executive Officer Jean Paul Van Avermaet; Seris Security NV (Seris); former Seris Chief Executive Officer Danny Vandormael; and former Seris Director of Guarding & Monitoring Peter Verpoort with conspiring to fix prices, rig bids and allocate customers for contracts for the provision of security services that protect the national security interests of the United States in Belgium. All of the defendants worked in Belgium and are Belgian nationals.
According to the indictment, the charged individuals, on behalf of their companies, along with other co-conspirators, participated in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate customers for contracts to provide security services in Belgium, including contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Those services included protecting military buildings and installations via the physical presence of guards, mobile monitoring and electronic surveillance. As part of the conspiracy, the conspirators agreed in advance which company would win certain security services contracts, and the price that each would bid for the contracts. As a result, the government received non-competitive and inflated bids, and was deprived of a competitive bidding process. The charged conspiracy began as early as spring 2019 and continued until as late as summer 2020.
The defendants are each charged with a violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals and a $100 million fine for corporations. The maximum fine for a Sherman Act charge may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
The Antitrust Division’s New York Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated with the assistance of the FBI’s International Corruption Unit New York Field Office, the DCIS’ New York Resident Agency and the Transnational Operations Field Office, the U.S. Army CID’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit, and other PCSF partners in Europe. Special thanks to the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of State for their assistance.
In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the PCSF, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant, and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. In fall 2020, the Strike Force expanded its footprint with the launch of PCSF: Global, which is designed to deter, detect, investigate and prosecute collusive schemes that target government spending outside of the United States.
To contact the PCSF, or to report information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct related to the security services industry, go to https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
司法部就得克薩斯州本德堡縣法院的語言訪問和報復調查達成和解Read the Press Release
華盛頓——今天，司法部宣布與本德堡縣（FBC）達成和解協議，以改善英語水平有限 （ LEP）的人的法庭使用情況。
該協議解決了司法部對以下指控的調查：FBC法院基於民族血統歧視 有限英語人士 （LEP ） 的法院用戶，並對投訴人進行報復，兩者都違反了《1964年民權法案》第六章。第六章禁止聯邦財政援助的接受者如 FBC進行種族、膚色或民族歧視。該部門的調查發現，語言障礙使LEP人士難以有效地使用法院系統。這些障礙包括要求LEP刑事被告在認罪程序中使用雙語律師而不是合格翻譯，以及在兒童監護案件中導致LEP父母的法庭費用增加的政策。
“當英語水平有限的人士面臨語言障礙，無法有效我們的司法系統時，他們可能會失去他們的孩子、家庭和基本權利，”民權司助理檢察長克里斯汀·克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示。“民權司將繼續奮鬥到底，以確保法院消除使人們無法獲得平等司法的障礙。我讚揚本德堡縣採取必要的行動，確保法院用戶的語言使用權利，以遵守《民權法案》第六章 。”
“本德堡是我們地區最多樣化的縣之一，”德克薩斯州南部地區的代理美國檢察官馬克· 唐納利（Mark Donnelly）認為。“這項協議將確保每個人都能訴諸我們的法庭，而不論其民族血統或英語水平如何”。
根據該協議，FBC將在FBC法院的民事和刑事案件中免費為LEP個人提供翻譯服務。FBC法院還將在明年審查其語言訪問計劃，為FBC法院制定強制性的第六章培訓，提供第六章報復培訓，並發布公告，用非英語語言解釋第六章的非歧視政策和投訴程序。該部門將對這些要求和其他要求進行為期兩年的監測。FBC還同意向LEP法庭使用者支付法庭費用和向聲稱受到報復的人士支付賠償金。
執行第六章是民權處的首要任務。有關民權處的其他信息可在其網站 www.justice.gov/crt 找到，有關英語水平有限和第六章的信息可在 www.lep.gov 找到。公眾可以通過 https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 舉報可能侵犯其公民權利的行為。
司法部对得克萨斯州本德堡县法院关于语言公平与报复的调查达成和解Read the Press Release
华盛顿——司法部今日宣布与本德堡县 (FBC) 达成和解协议，以改善英语能力有限 (LEP) 人士获取司法服务的机会。
该协议结束了司法部对 FBC 法院存在针对 LEP 司法服务对象的基于国籍的歧视，并报复投诉人的指控的调查，这两项指控均违反了 1964 年《民权法案》第六章。第六章禁止联邦财政援助接受方（如 FBC）进行基于种族、肤色或国籍的歧视。司法部的调查发现语言障碍使 LEP 人士难以有效地使用司法系统的服务。语言障碍包括要求 LEP 刑事被告在认罪程序中使用双语律师而非合格口译员，以及导致 LEP 父母在儿童监护案件中需要支付更高法庭费用的政策。
民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 说：“英语水平有限的人在面临语言障碍，无法有效使用司法系统时，可能会失去孩子、家庭和自身的基本权利。民权司将继续努力确保法院消除阻碍人们获得平等司法的障碍。 我赞扬本德堡县采取的必要行动，确保司法服务对象能够根据《民权法》第六章获得语言支持。”
“本德堡是我们地区最多元化的县之一，”德克萨斯州南区美国联邦代理检察官马克·唐纳利（Mark Donnelly）说。 “该协议将确保每个人，无论其国籍或英语水平如何都可以使用我们的司法服务。”
根据该协议，FBC 将在其法院的民事和刑事案件中为 LEP 个人免费提供口译服务。FBC 法院还将在明年审查其语言服务计划，制定针对《民权法案》第六章的强制性培训，提供第六条下报复行为的培训，并发布用非英语语言解释第六条非歧视政策和投诉程序的公告。司法部将监测以上计划和其他要求的执行情况，为期两年。 FBC 还同意向 LEP 个人支付诉讼费用的赔偿金，以及向涉嫌受到报复行为的个人支付赔偿金。
《民权法案》第六章的执行是民权司的首要任务。 关于民权司的更多信息可在其网站 www.justice.gov/crt 上获得，有关英语能力限制和第六章的信息可在 www.lep.gov 上获得。 公众可以在 https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 投诉任何可能侵犯其民权的行为。
ടെക്ാസിടെ ഫ ാർട്ട്ടെൻഡ്കൗണ്ടിയിടെ ഫകാെതികളുടെ ഭാഷാആക്സുും പ്രതികാരഅഫവേഷണവുും വീതിവയായ വകുപ്പ തീർപ്പാക്കുന്നുRead the Press Release
Download Malayalam DOJ FBC MOA Press Release
ન્યાય વિભાગ, ટેક્સાસના ફોટટબેન્ડ કાઉન્ટીમાાંઅદાલતોની ભાષાની ઉપલબ્ધી અનેબદલા તપાસની પતાિટ કર ેછRead the Press Release
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फोर्ट बेंड काउंर्ी, र्ेक्सास में न्यायालयों की भाषा पहंच और प्रतिशोध जांच का तिपर्ारा करिा है जस्टिस तडपार्टमेंर्Read the Press Release
वाश िंगटन - जस्टिस शिपाटटमेंट ने आज सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता (LEP) वाले लोगोिं के शलए न्यायालयोिं तक पहिंच में सुधार के शलए फोटट बेंि काउिंटी (FBC) के साथ एक समझौते की घोषणा की।
यह समझौता उन आरोपोिं के शलए जस्टिस शिपाटटमेंट की जािंच का समाधान करता है शजसमें कहा गया था शक FBC न्यायालयोिं ने सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले न्यायालय उपयोगकताटओिं के साथ उनके राष्ट्र ीय मूल के आधार पर भेदभाव शकया और एक श कायतकताट के स्टिलाफ प्रशत ोधात्मक कारटवाई की, ये दोनोिं ही आरोप 1964 के शसशवल राइट्स एक्ट के ीषटक VI का उल्लिंघन करते हैं। ीषटक VI में FBC जैसी सिंघीय शवत्तीय सहायता के प्राप्तकताटओिं द्वारा नस्ल, रिंग या राष्ट्र ीय मूल के आधार पर भेदभाव को प्रशतबिंशधत शकया गया है। शवभाग की जााँच ने भाषा अवरोधोिं को उजागर शकया जो सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले लोगोिं के शलए न्यायालय प्रणाली को अथटपूणट ढिंग से एक्सेस करना कशिन बनाते हैं। इन अवरोधोिं में ऐसी आवश्यकताएिं ाशमल थी शजसके अनुसार सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले आपराशधक प्रशतवादी के शलए याशचका कायटवाही में योग्य दुभाशषया के बजाय शद्वभाषी वकील का उपयोग करना जरूरी था, और ऐसी नीशतयािं थीिं शजसके पररणामस्वरूप बाल शहरासत मामलोिं में सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले माता-शपता के शलए न्यायालय के िचट उच्चतर हो जाते थे।
शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन के सहायक अटॉनी जनरल शििन क्लाकट ने कहा, "सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले लोग अपने बच्चोिं, घरोिं और मौशलक अशधकारोिं के नुकसान का सामना कर सकते हैं, जब वे भाषा सिंबिंधी बाधाओिं का सामना करते हैं जो हमारी न्याशयक प्रणाली तक साथटक पहिंच से विंशचत करते हैं।" " शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन यह सुशनशित करने के शलए सिंघषट जारी रिेगा शक न्यायालय उन बाधाओिं को दू र करें जो लोगोिं को समान न्याय तक पहिंच से विंशचत करती हैं। शसशवल राइट्स एक्टके ीषटक VI के अनुपालन में न्यायालय के उपयोगकताटओिं के शलए भाषा की पहिंच सुशनशित करने के शलए आवश्यक कारटवाई करने पर मैं फोटट बेंि काउिंटी की सराहना करती हिं।"
"फोटट बेंि हमारे शजले में सबसे शवशवधतापूणट काउिंशटयोिं में से एक है," टेक्सास के दशक्षणी शजले के शलए कायटवाहक अमेररकी अटॉनी माकट िोनेली ने कहा। "यह समझौता सुशनशित करेगा शक राष्ट्र ीय मूल या सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता के बावजूद सभी व्यस्टियोिं की पहिंच हमारे न्यायालयोिं तक हो।"
समझौते के तहत, FBC न्यायालयोिं में दीवानी और आपराशधक मामलोिं में सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले व्यस्टियोिं को मुफ्त दुभाशषया सेवाएिं प्रदान करेगा। FBC न्यायालय अगले वषट अपनी भाषा पहिंच योजनाओिं की समीक्षा करेंगी, FBC न्यायालयोिं के शलए अशनवायट ीषटक VI प्रश क्षण शवकशसत करेंगी, ीषटक VI प्रशत ोध प्रश क्षण देंगी, और सावटजशनक नोशटस जारी करेंगी जो गैर-अिंग्रेजी भाषाओिं में ीषटक VI की गैर-भेदभाव नीशत और श कायत प्रशिया की व्याख्या करती हैं। शवभाग के द्वारा इन और अन्य आवश्यकताओिं की दो वषट तक शनगरानी की जाएगी। FBC ने सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले उपयोगकताट को न्यायालय के िचों के शलए और प्रशत ोध का आरोप लगाने वाले व्यस्टि को हजाटने का भुगतान करने पर भी सहमशत व्यि की।
ीषटक VI को लागू करना शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन की सवोच्च प्राथशमकता है। शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन के बारे में अशतररि जानकारी उनकी वेबसाइट www.justice.gov/crt पर उपलब्ध है और सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता तथा ीषटक VI के बारे में जानकारी www.lep.gov पर उपलब्ध है। जनता नागररक अशधकारोिं के सिंभाशवत उल्लिंघन की ररपोटट https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ पर कर सकते हैं।
یئاوراک یماقتنا روا یئاسر ےس ےلاوح ےک نابز ںیم ںوتلادع یک ساسکیٹ ،یٹنؤاک ڈنیب ٹروف ےن فاصنا ہ مکحمRead the Press Release
واﺷﻧﮕﭨن – آج ﻣﺣﮑﻣہ ِ اﻧﺻﺎف ﻧﮯ ﻓورٹ ﺑﯾﻧڈ ﮐﺎؤﻧﭨﯽ )Fort Bend County, FBC( ﮐﮯﺳﺎﺗﮭ اﯾﮏ ﺗﺻﻔﯾﮯ ﮐﮯ ﻣُﻌﺎﮨدے ﮐﺎ اﻋﻼن ﮐﯾﺎ ﺗﺎﮐہ اﻧﮕرﯾزی زﺑﺎن ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﺻﻼﺣﯾت (limited English proficiency, LEP) رﮐﮭﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ اﻓراد ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﻋداﻟت ﺗﮏ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﮐو ﺑﮩﺗر ﺑﻧﺎﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺋﮯ۔
ﯾہ ﻣﻌﺎﮨده ﻣﺣﮑﻣہ ِ اﻧﺻﺎف ﮐﯽ ان اﻟزاﻣﺎت ﮐﮯ ﻣﺗﻌﻠﻖ ﺗﻔﺗﯾش ﮐو ﺗﮑﻣﯾل ﺗﮏ ﭘﮩﻧﭼﺎﺗﺎ ﮨﮯ ﮐہ FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﻧﮯ ﻋداﻟت ﮐﮯ LEP ﺻﺎرﻓﯾن ﮐﮯ ﺧﻼف اُن ﮐﯽ آﺑﺎﺋﯽ ﻗوﻣﯾت ﮐﯽ ﺑﻧﯾﺎد ﭘر ﺗﻔرﯾﻖ ﮐﯽ اور اﯾﮏ ﺷﮑﺎﯾت ﮐُﻧﻧده ﮐﮯ ﺧِ ﻼف اﻧﺗﻘﺎﻣﯽ ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﯽ، ﯾہ دوﻧوں اﻗداﻣﺎت 1964ء ﮐﮯ ﺳِول راﺋﭨس اﯾﮑٹ ﮐﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺧِ ﻼف ورزی ﮨﯾں۔ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI وﻓﺎﻗﯽ ﻣﺎﻟﯽ ﻣﻌﺎوﻧت ﮐﮯ وﺻُول ﮐُﻧﻧدﮔﺎن، ﺟﯾﺳﮯ FBC، ﮐﯽ ﺟﺎﻧب ﺳﮯ ﻧﺳل، رﻧﮓ ﯾﺎ آﺑﺎﺋﯽ ﻗوﻣﯾت ﮐﯽ ﺑُﻧﯾﺎد ﭘرﺗﻔرﯾﻖ ﮐﯾﮯ ﺟﺎﻧﮯ ﮐﯽ ﻣُﻣﺎﻧﻌت ﮐرﺗﺎ ﮨﮯ۔ ﻣﺣﮑﻣﮯ ﮐﯽ ﺗﻔﺗﯾش ﺳﮯ اﯾﺳﯽ ﻟﺳﺎﻧﯽ رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﮐﺎ اﻧﮑﺷﺎف ﮨوا ﺟو LEP ﻓوﺟداری ﻣدﻋﺎ ﻋﻠﯾﮩﺎن ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ ﻧظﺎم ﺗﮏ ﺻﺣﯾﺢ ﻣﻌﻧوں ﻣﯾں رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﺣﺎﺻِ ل ﮐرﻧﮯ ﮐو ﻣﺷﮑل ﺑﻧﺎﺗﯽ ﮨﯾں۔ اِن رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﻣﯾں اﯾﺳﯽ ﺷراﺋط ﺷﺎﻣل ﺗﮭﯾں ﮐہ درﺧواﺳت ﭘر ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﮯ دوران LEP ﻓوﺟداری ﻣدﻋﺎ ﻋﻠﯾﮩﺎن اﯾﮏ ﻣﺳﺗﻧد ﺗرﺟُﻣﺎن ﮐﮯ ﺑﺟﺎﺋﮯ دو زﺑﺎﻧﯾں ﺑوﻟﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ وﮐﯾل ﮐﯽ ﺧدﻣﺎت ﺣﺎﺻل ﮐرﯾں اور اﯾﺳﯽ ﭘﺎﻟﯾﺳﯾﺎں ﺟن ﮐﮯ ﻧﺗﯾﺟﮯ ﻣﯾں LEP واﻟدﯾن ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﺑﭼوں ﮐﯽ ﺗﺣوﯾل ﮐﮯ ﻣﻘدﻣﺎت ﮐﮯ ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ اﺧراﺟﺎت ﺑڑھ ﺟﺎﺗﮯ ﺗﮭﮯ۔
اﻧﮕرﯾزی زﺑﺎن ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﺻﻼﺣﯾت رﮐﮭﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ اﻓراد اﭘﻧﮯ ﺑﭼّوں، ﮔﮭروں اور ﺑُﻧﯾﺎدی ﺣﻘوق ﮐﮭوﻧﮯ ﮐﺎ ﻧُﻘﺻﺎن اُﭨﮭﺎ ﺳﮑﺗﮯ ﮨﯾں ﺟب اُﻧﮩﯾں اﯾﺳﯽ ﻟِﺳﺎﻧﯽ رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﮐﺎ ﺳﺎﻣﻧﺎ ﮨوﺗﺎ ﮨﮯ ﺟو ﮨﻣﺎرے ﻗﺎﻧوﻧﯽ ﻧظﺎم ﺗﮏ ﺻﺣﯾﺢ ﻣﻌﻧوں ﻣﯾں رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﮨوﻧﮯ
ﺳﮯ ﻣﺣروم ﮐر دﯾﺗﯽ ﮨﯾں،" ﯾہ ﺑﺎت ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن ﮐﯽ اﺳﺳﭨﻧٹ اﭨﺎرﻧﯽ ﺟﻧرل ﮐرﺳﭨن ﮐﻼرک ﻧﮯ ﮐﯽ۔ "ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن اس ﺑﺎت ﮐو ﯾﻘﯾﻧﯽ ﺑﻧﺎﻧﮯ ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ اﭘﻧﯽ ﺟﻧﮓ ﺟﺎری رﮐّﮭﮯ ﮔﺎ ﮐہ ﻋداﻟﺗﯾں اﯾﺳﯽ رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﮐو دُور ﮐرﯾں ﺟو ﻟوﮔوں ﮐو ﯾﮑﺳﺎں اﻧﺻﺎف ﺗﮏ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﺳﮯ ﻣﺣروم ﮐرﺗﯽ ﮨﯾں۔ ﻣﯾں ﻓورٹ ﺑﯾﻧڈ ﮐﺎؤﻧﭨﯽ ﮐﯽ اﯾﺳﮯ ﺿروری اﻗداﻣﺎت ﮐرﻧﮯ ﭘر ﺗﻌرﯾف ﮐرﺗﯽ ﮨُوں ﺟو ﺳِول راﺋﭨس اﯾﮑٹ ﮐﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺗﻌﻣﯾل ﻣﯾں ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ ﺻﺎرﻓﯾن ﮐو ﻟِﺳﺎﻧﯽ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﻣِﻠﻧﮯ ﮐو ﯾﻘﯾﻧﯽ ﺑﻧﺎﺗﮯ ﮨﯾں۔"ﻓورٹ ﺑﯾﻧڈ ﮨﻣﺎری ڈﺳﭨرﮐٹ ﻣﯾں ﺳب ﺳﮯ زﯾﺎده ﻣﺗﻧوع ﮐﺎؤﻧﭨﯾز ﻣﯾں ﺳﮯ اﯾﮏ ﮨﮯ،" ﯾہ ﺑﺎت ﭨﯾﮑﺳﺎس ﮐﯽ ﺟﻧوﺑﯽ ڈﺳﭨرﮐٹ
ﮐﮯ ﻗﺎﺋم ﻣﻘﺎم اﻣرﯾﮑﯽ اﭨﺎرﻧﯽ ﻣﺎرک ڈوﻧﯾﻠﯽ ﻧﮯ ﮐﮩﯽ۔ "ﯾہ ﻣُﻌﺎﮨده اِس ﺑﺎت ﮐو ﯾﻘﯾﻧﯽ ﺑﻧﺎﺋﮯ ﮔﺎ ﮐہ آﺑﺎﺋﯽ ﻗوﻣﯾت ﯾﺎ اﻧﮕرﯾزی
زﺑﺎن ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﻗﺎﺑﻠﯾت ﺳﮯ ﻗطﻊ ﻧظر ﮨر اﯾﮏ ﮐو ﮨﻣﺎری ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﺗﮏ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﺣﺎﺻل ﮨو۔اِس ﻣُﻌﺎﮨدے ﮐﮯ ﺗﺣت FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﻣﯾں دﯾواﻧﯽ اور ﻓوﺟداری ﻣُﻘدّﻣﺎت ﻣﯾں LEP اﻓراد ﮐو ﺗرﺟُﻣﺎﻧﯽ ﮐﯽ ﺧِ دﻣﺎت FBC ﻣﻔت ﻓراﮨم ﮐرے ﮔﺎ۔ FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗﯾں اﮔﻠﮯ ﺳﺎل ﺑﮭر ﻣﯾں اﭘﻧﮯ ﻟﺳﺎﻧﯽ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﮐﮯﻣﻧﺻوﺑوں ﮐﺎ ﺟﺎﺋزه ﺑﮭﯽ ﻟﯾں ﮔﯽ، FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﻻزﻣﯽ ﺗرﺑﯾت ﻣرﺗب ﮐرﯾں ﮔﯽ، اﻧﺗﻘﺎﻣﯽ ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﮯ ﺣواﻟﮯ ﺳﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺗرﺑﯾت ﻓراﮨم ﮐرﯾں ﮔﯽ اور ﻋواﻣﯽ ﻧوﭨﺳوں ﮐﺎ اﺟرا ﮐرﯾں ﮔﯽ ﺟو ﮐہ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺗﻔرﯾﻖ ﮐﮯ ﺧﻼف ﭘﺎﻟﯾﺳﯽ اور ﺷﮑﺎﯾت ﮐﮯ ﻋﻣل ﮐﯽ اﻧﮕرﯾزی ﮐﮯ ﻋﻼوه زﺑﺎﻧوں ﻣﯾں وﺿﺎﺣت ﮐرﯾں ﮔﮯ۔ ﻣﺣﮑﻣہ اِن ﺷراﺋط اور دﯾﮕر ﺷراﺋط ﮐﯽ دو ﺳﺎل ﺗﮏ
ﻧِﮕراﻧﯽ ﮐرے ﮔﺎ۔ FBC ﻧﮯ اﯾﮏ LEP ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ ﺻﺎرف اور اﯾﮏ اور ﻓرد ﺟس ﻧﮯ اﻧﺗﻘﺎﻣﯽ ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﺎ اﻟزام ﻋﺎﺋد ﮐﯾﺎ ﺗﮭﺎ، ﮐو ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ اﺧراﺟﺎت ﮐﯽ ﻣد ﻣﯾں ﮨرﺟﺎﻧﮯ ﮐﯽ اداﺋﯾﮕﯽ ﮐرﻧﮯ ﭘر ﺑﮭﯽ اﺗﻔﺎق ﮐﯾﺎ۔
ﭨل VI ﮐﺎ ﻧِﻔﺎذ ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن ﮐﯽ اوّ ﻟﯾن ﺗرﺟﯾﺣﺎت ﻣﯾں ﺳﮯ ﮨﮯ۔ ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن ﮐﮯ ﺑﺎرے ﻣﯾں اِﺿﺎﻓﯽ
ﻣﻌﻠوﻣﺎت اِس ﮐﯽ وﯾب ﺳﺎﺋٹ www.justice.gov/crt ﭘر دﺳﺗﯾﺎب ﮨﯾں، اور اﻧﮕرﯾزی ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﺻﻼﺣﯾت اور ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﮯ ﻣﺗﻌﻠﻖ ﻣزﯾد ﻣﻌﻠوﻣﺎت www.lep.gov ﭘر دﺳﺗﯾﺎب ﮨﯾں۔ ﻋوام اﻟﻧﺎس ﺷﮩری ﺣﻘوق ﮐﯽ ﻣﻣﮑﻧہ ﺧﻼف ورزﯾوں ﮐﯽ رﭘورٹ https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ﭘر ﮐر ﺳﮑﺗﮯ ﮨﯾں۔وزارة العدل األمريكية تبرم اتفاقية تسوية بشأن التحقيق الخاص بإزالة الحواجز اللغوية واالنتقام في محاكم مقاطعة فورت بيند، تكساسRead the Press Release
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Used Motor Vehicle Dealers Sentenced in Odometer Tampering SchemeRead the Press Release
Yesterday, in federal court in Brooklyn, Shmuel Gali was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 60 months’ imprisonment for his role in a long-running odometer tampering and money laundering scheme and ordered to pay $3,936,000 in restitution. The defendant pleaded guilty in August 2020 to conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit odometer tampering, making false odometer statements and securities fraud.
“An automobile is one of the biggest purchases many consumers make,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Misrepresenting used car mileages defrauds buyers and hides important information concerning safety and reliability. The Department of Justice will continue to work with law enforcement partners to prosecute odometer fraud.”
“This sentence sends a warning that this office will prosecute those who engage in odometer tampering and deliberately dupe consumers into unknowingly paying inflated prices for their motor vehicles,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis for the Eastern District of New York. “With the defendant being sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution to his victims, he is being held to account for his greed in contriving this fraudulent scheme.”
“Automobile sales stand as one of the pillars of the American economy, requiring transparency and integrity,” said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso of IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “The financial expertise of IRS-CI was needed to uncover this criminal enterprise perpetuated by Shmuel Gali who received a just sentence relative to his criminal activity.”
Between 2006 and June 2011, Shmuel Gali, while conspiring with his brother Chaim, defrauded buyers of used motor vehicles by misrepresenting the mileage of approximately 690 vehicles that they sold. They used fictitious dealer names to purchase high-mileage, used motor vehicles from a national vehicle-leasing company; altered the odometers of the vehicles to reflect false, lower mileages; and then sold the vehicles at wholesale automobile auctions. On average, the odometers on the vehicles were rolled back by close to 70,000 miles. Consumers who purchased the vehicles at dealerships did not know the true mileage and paid inflated sales prices.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation and IRS-CI.
Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine M. Mirabile of the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case.
NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud in the United States results in consumer losses of more than $1 billion annually. Individuals with information relating to odometer tampering should call NHTSA’s odometer fraud hotline at (800) 424-9393 or (202) 366-4761. More information on odometer fraud is available on the NHTSA website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/odometer-fraud.
Second Former Deutsche Bank Commodities Trader Sentenced to Prison for Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A former commodities trader was sentenced Monday to 12 months and a day in prison for a scheme to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution.
Cedric Chanu, 42, of France and the United Arab Emirates, was convicted by a federal jury on Sept. 25, 2020. Based on the evidence presented at trial, Chanu, who was employed as a precious metals trader at Deutsche Bank in Singapore and, later in London, engaged in a scheme to defraud other traders on the Commodity Exchange Inc., which was a public exchange. The defendant, together with James Vorley and other Deutsche Bank traders, defrauded other market participants through a deceptive trading practice known as “spoofing.” Specifically, Chanu placed fraudulent orders that he did not intend to execute in order to create the false appearance of supply and demand and to induce other traders to transact at prices, quantities, and times that they otherwise would not have traded. Vorley was sentenced on June 21, also to 12 months and a day in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Brian Young, Acting Principal Assistant Chief Avi Perry, and Trial Attorney Leslie S. Garthwaite of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Pinagpasyahan ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan ang Imbestigasyon sa Pag-access ng Wika at sa Paghihiganti sa mga Korte sa Fort Bend County, TexasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Sa araw na ito, inanunsiyo ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan (Justice Department) ang kasunduan sa pag-aayos sa Fort Bend County (FBC) para mapahusay ang pag-access sa korte ng mga taong may limitadong kakayahan sa Ingles (English proficiency, LEP).
Nilulutas ng kasuduang ito ang imbestigasyon ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan sa mga bintang na ang mga korte ng FBC ay nagdiskrimina laban sa mga LEP na gumagamit ng korte batay sa kanilang bansang pinagmulan at naghiganti laban sa isang nagreklamo, na parehong paglabag sa Titulo VI ng Batas ng mga Karapatang Sibil ng 1964 (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). Ipinagbabawal ng Titulo VI ang diskriminasyon sa lahi, kulay o bansang pinagmulan ng mga tumatanggap ng mga pederal na tulong pampinansiyal, tulad ng FBC. Natuklasan sa imbestigasyon ng kagawaran ang mga hadlang sa wika na nagpapahirap sa mga taong LEP na magkaroon ng makahulugang access sa sistema ng korte. Kasama sa mga hadlang na ito ang mga kailangan na ang mga nasasakdal sa isang krimen ay gumamit ng bilingual na abogado sa halip na kwalipikadong tagapagsalin sa mga plea proceeding, at mga patakaran na nagresulta sa mas mahal na bayarin sa korte para sa mga magulang na LEP sa mga kaso ng kustodiya ng anak.
“Ang mga taong may limitadong kakayahan sa Ingles ay maaaring dumanas ng pagkawala ng kanilang anak, tahanan, at pangunahing karapatan kapag humarap sila sa mga hadlang sa wika na nagkakait ng makahulugang access sa ating sistemang panghukuman.” ayon kay Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke para sa Sangay para sa mga Karapatang Sibil (Civil Rights Division). “Ipagpapatuloy ng Sangay para sa mga Karapatang Sibil ang paglaban para matiyak na tatanggalin ng mga korte ang mga hadlang na nagkakait sa mga tao ng access sa pantay-pantay na katarungan. Aking pinupuri ang Fort Bend County sa pagsasagawa ng mga kinakailangang hakbang nito para matiyak ang access sa wika para sa mga gumagamit ng korte alinsunod sa Titulo VI ng Batas sa mga Karapatang Sibil (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act).”
“Ang Fort Bend ay isa sa magkakaibang county sa ating Distrito,” ayon kay Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Donnelly para sa Southern District of Texas. “Ang kasunduang ito ang titiyak na ang bawat tao ay may access sa ating mga korte maging saan mang bansa nagmula o limitadong kahusayan sa Ingles.”
Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, magbibigay ang FBC ng mga serbisyo ng tagapagsalin nang walang bayad sa mga LEP na indibidwal sa mga kasong sibil at kriminal sa mga korte ng FBC. Pag-aaralan rin ng mga korte ng FBC ang mga plano sa pag-access sa wika sa susunod na taon, bubuo ng sapilitang pagsasanay sa Titulo IV para sa mga korte ng FBC, magbibigay ng pagsasanay sa paghihiganti na nasa Titulo IV at maglalabas ng mga abiso sa publiko na nagpapaliwanag sa patakaran sa walang diskriminasyon na nasa Titulo IV at proseso ng pagreklamo sa mga wikang hindi Ingles. Babantayan ng kagawaran ng dalawang taon ang mga ito at mga ibang kailangan. Sumang-ayon rin ang FBC na magbabayad ng mga danyos sa isang LEP na gumamit ng korte para sa mga gastusin sa korte at sa isang indibidwal na nagbintang ng paghihiganti.
Pangunahing prayoridad ng Sangay para sa mga Karapatang Sibil ang pagpapatupad ng Titulo VI. Ang mga karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Sangay para sa mga Karapatang Sibil ay matatagpuan sa website nito sa www.justice.gov/crt, at ang mga impormasyon tungkol sa limitadong kakayahan sa Ingles at Titulo VI ay matatagpuan din sa www.lep.gov. Ang mga miyembro ng publiko ay maaaring magsumbong ng mga posibleng paglabag sa mga karapatang sibil sa https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Justice Department Sues Florida Man for Flagrant Violations of the Rivers and Harbors ActRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) announced that the United States has filed a civil lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Fane Lozman for violations of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) in connection with Mr. Lozman’s obstruction of Lake Worth Lagoon, a navigable waterway, in Riviera Beach, Florida.
According to the Complaint filed on June 25, Lozman or persons acting at his direction constructed and/or installed structures in Lake Worth Lagoon, which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean and the largest estuary in Palm Beach County. Some of the structures are made of closed-cell polystyrene foam and concrete blocks and range from 30 to 100 feet long, with various materials attached to the structures (including a metal shipping container). In at least three separate incidents, one or more of Lozman’s unauthorized structures became unmoored and drifted into Lake Worth Lagoon creating increased risk to navigation, property, and public safety. The United States seeks an order to enjoin Lozman from further building or installing obstructions in waters of the United States, except in compliance with the RHA, and to compel him to remove the unauthorized structures from Lake Worth Lagoon.
The matter was referred to the Department by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. The Corps issued a notice of violation and order to cease and desist in connection with Lozman’s actions earlier this year.
This case is being handled by ENRD’s Environmental Defense Section. Trial Attorneys Brandon N. Adkins and Sydney A. Menees are in charge of the case.
Justice Department Settles Language Access and Retaliation Investigation of Courts in Fort Bend County, TexasRead the Press Release
Note: This press release has been translated in various languages. See attachments below.
The Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with Fort Bend County (FBC) to improve access to court for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
This agreement resolves a Justice Department investigation into allegations that FBC courts discriminated against LEP court users based on their national origin and retaliated against a complainant, both in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits race, color or national origin discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance, such as FBC. The department’s investigation uncovered language barriers that make it difficult for LEP people to meaningfully access the court system. These barriers included requirements that LEP criminal defendants use a bilingual attorney instead of a qualified interpreter in plea proceedings, and policies that resulted in higher court costs for LEP parents in child custody cases.
“People with limited English proficiency can suffer the loss of their children, homes, and fundamental rights when they face language barriers that deny meaningful access to our judicial system,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue fighting to ensure that courts remove barriers that deny people access to equal justice. I commend Fort Bend County for taking actions necessary to ensure language access for court users in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.”
“Fort Bend is one of the most diverse counties in our District,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Donnelly for the Southern District of Texas. “This agreement will ensure everyone has access to our courts irrespective of national origin or limited English proficiency.”
Under the agreement, FBC will provide interpreter services at no cost to LEP individuals in civil and criminal cases in FBC courts. FBC courts will also review its language access plans over the next year, develop mandatory Title VI training for FBC courts, provide Title VI retaliation training and issue public notices that explain the Title VI nondiscrimination policy and complaint process in non-English languages. The department will monitor these and other requirements for two years. FBC also agreed to pay damages to an LEP court user for court costs and to an individual who alleged retaliation.
The enforcement of Title VI is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Four California Residents Found Guilty of Scheming to Fraudulently Obtain Millions of Dollars in COVID-19 Relief ProgramsRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted four California residents on June 25, for scheming to submit fraudulent loan applications seeking millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 relief funds.
After an eight-day trial, Richard Ayvazyan, 42, his wife Marietta Terabelian, 37, and his brother Artur Ayvazyan, 41, all of Encino, were each found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Richard Ayvazyan was also found guilty of two counts of aggravated identity theft and Artur Ayvazyan was found guilty of one count of aggravated identity theft. Vahe Dadyan, 41, of Glendale was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering.
On June 28, the jury found the defendants must forfeit bank accounts, jewelry, watches, gold coins, three residential properties, and approximately $450,000 in cash.
According to the evidence presented at trial, the defendants used fake, stolen, or synthetic identities – including the created identities of “Iuliia Zhadko” and “Viktoria Kauichko” – to submit fraudulent applications for the loans. In support of the fraudulent loan applications, the defendants also submitted false and fictitious documents to lenders and the Small Business Administration (SBA), including fake identity documents, tax documents, and payroll records. The defendants then used the fraudulently obtained funds as down payments on luxury homes in Tarzana, Glendale, and Palm Desert. They also used the funds to buy gold coins, diamonds, jewelry, luxury watches, fine imported furnishings, designer handbags, clothing, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The conspirators obtained more than $18 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13.
Prior to the verdict, the following defendants pleaded guilty to criminal charges in this case:
- Manuk Grigoryan, 46, of Sun Valley, pleaded guilty on June 7, to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. The court has scheduled sentencing for Sept. 13. Grigoryan faces up to 32 years in federal prison.
- Edvard Paronyan, 40, of Granada Hills, pleaded guilty on June 11, to one count of wire fraud. The court has scheduled sentencing for Aug. 30. Paronyan faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
- Tamara Dadyan, 39, of Encino, Artur Ayvazyan’s wife and Vahe Dadyan’s cousin, pleaded guilty on June 14, to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court has scheduled sentencing for Sept. 27. Dadyan faces up to 52 years in federal prison.
- Arman Hayrapetyan, 41, of Glendale, pleaded guilty on June 21, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court has scheduled sentencing for Sept. 20. Hayrapetyan faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid and Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison of the Central District of California made the announcement.
The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the SBA’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General investigated this matter.
Trial Attorney Christopher Fenton of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Paetty, Brian Faerstein, and Catherine Ahn of the Central District of California are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Boyle of the Central District of California is handling the forfeiture.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
El Departamento de Justicia Resuelve una Investigación sobre Acceso al Idioma y Represalias en los Tribunales del Condado de Fort Bend, TexasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy un acuerdo con el Condado de Fort Bend (FBC) para mejorar el acceso de personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP) a sus tribunales.
Este acuerdo resuelve una investigación del Departamento de Justicia sobre las acusaciones de que los tribunales del FBC discriminaban a los usuarios con LEP por su país de origen, y tomaban represalias contra un denunciante, ambas en infracción al Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964. El Título VI prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color o país de origen por parte de los beneficiarios de ayuda financiera federal, como el FBC. La investigación del departamento puso de manifiesto la existencia de barreras lingüísticas que dificultaban el acceso de personas con LEP al sistema judicial. Estas barreras incluían el requisito de que los acusados con LEP utilizaran un abogado bilingüe en lugar de un intérprete calificado durante los procesos de declaración de culpabilidad, así como políticas que daban lugar a mayores costos judiciales para padres con LEP en casos de custodia de sus hijos.
“Las personas con dominio limitado del inglés pueden sufrir la pérdida de sus hijos, sus hogares y sus derechos fundamentales cuando enfrentan barreras lingüísticas que les impiden un acceso significativo a nuestro sistema judicial”, dijo la Fiscal General Adjunta de la División de Derechos Civiles, Kristen Clarke. “La División de Derechos Civiles seguirá luchando para garantizar que los tribunales eliminen las barreras que niegan a las personas el acceso a la justicia en condiciones de igualdad. Felicito al condado de Fort Bend por tomar las medidas necesarias para garantizar el acceso lingüístico a los usuarios de tribunales en cumplimiento con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles.”
“Fort Bend es uno de los condados con mayor diversidad en nuestro Distrito”, dijo el Fiscal Federal Interino del Distrito Sur de Texas, Mark Donnelly. “Este acuerdo garantizará que todas y todos tengan acceso a nuestros tribunales, independientemente de su país de origen o de su dominio limitado del inglés”.
En virtud del acuerdo, el FBC proporcionará servicios de interpretación sin costo a personas con LEP para casos civiles y penales en los tribunales del FBC. Los tribunales del FBC también revisarán sus planes de acceso lingüístico durante el próximo año, desarrollarán una capacitación obligatoria sobre el Título VI para los tribunales del FBC, proporcionarán capacitación sobre el Título VI en materia de represalias, y emitirán avisos públicos que expliquen la política de no discriminación del Título VI, así como el procedimiento para presentar denuncias en idiomas distintos del inglés. El departamento supervisará estos y otros requisitos durante dos años. El FBC también aceptó pagar una indemnización por daños y perjuicios a un usuario de tribunales con LEP por costos judiciales y a un individuo que alegó haber recibido represalias.
La aplicación del Título VI es una de las principales prioridades de la División de Derechos Civiles. Para más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, consulte su sitio web: www.justice.gov/crt. La información sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y el Título VI está disponible en: www.lep.gov. Los ciudadanos pueden denunciar posibles violaciones de derechos civiles en: https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Bộ Tư Pháp kết thúc cuộc điều tra về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và các hành động trả đũa của các tòa án ở Quận Fort Bend, TexasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Hôm nay, Bộ Tư pháp đã công bố một thỏa thuận dàn xếp với Quận Fort Bend (FBC) về cải thiện khả năng tiếp cận tòa án cho những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế (LEP).
Thỏa thuận này đưa ra kết luận cho một cuộc điều tra của Bộ Tư pháp về các cáo buộc rằng các tòa án FBC phân biệt đối xử với LEP vì nguồn gốc quốc gia của họ và trả đũa người khiếu nại, cả hai hành vi nói trên đều vi phạm Tiêu đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền năm 1964. Tiêu đề VI nghiêm cấm những đơn vị nhận hỗ trợ tài chính liên bang, ví dụ như FBC, phân biệt chủng tộc, màu da hoặc nguồn gốc quốc gia. Cuộc điều tra của Bộ Tư pháp đã phát hiện ra những rào cản ngôn ngữ khiến LEP khó tiếp cận hệ thống tòa án một cách hiệu quả. Những rào cản này bao gồm các yêu cầu bắt buộc các bị cáo LEP trong các vụ án hình sự phải sử dụng luật sư song ngữ thay vì thông dịch viên hữu thệ trong thủ tục bào chữa cũng như các chính sách dẫn đến việc các bậc phụ huynh LEP phải chịu án phí cao hơn trong các vụ tranh chấp quyền nuôi con.
Trợ Lý về Dân Quyền của Bộ Trưởng Bộ Tư Pháp Kristen Clarke cho biết: “Những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế có thể bị mất con cái, nhà cửa và các quyền cơ bản khi họ gặp phải rào cản ngôn ngữ mà khiến họ mất quyền tiếp cận hệ thống tư pháp của chúng ta một cách hiệu quả. Bộ phận Dân quyền sẽ tiếp tục đấu tranh để đảm bảo rằng các tòa án loại bỏ các rào cản khiến tất cả mọi người không thể tiếp cận công lý một cách bình đẳng. Tôi xin dành lợi khen cho Quận Fort Bend vì đã thực hiện các hành động cần thiết để đảm bảo quyền tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho mọi người dân, tuân thủ Tiêu đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền.”
Quyền Luật sư Hoa Kỳ Mark Donnelly làm việc cho Hạt phía Nam của Texas cho biết: “Fort Bend là một trong những quận đa dạng nhất trong Hạt của chúng tôi. Thỏa thuận này sẽ đảm bảo tất cả mọi người đều có quyền tiếp cận các tòa án của chúng tôi bất kể nguồn gốc quốc gia của họ là gì hay trình độ tiếng Anh của họ ở mức độ nào.”
Theo thỏa thuận, FBC sẽ cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch miễn phí cho LEP trong các vụ án dân sự và hình sự tại các tòa án của FBC. Các tòa án của FBC cũng sẽ xem xét các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của mình trong năm tới, phát triển các khóa đào tạo Tiêu đề VI bắt buộc cho các tòa án FBC, cung cấp khóa đào tạo trả đũa Tiêu đề VI và đưa ra các thông báo công khai giải thích về chính sách không phân biệt đối xử và quy trình khiếu nại của Tiêu đề VI bằng các ngôn ngữ không phải tiếng Anh. Bộ Tư pháp sẽ giám sát các yêu cầu này và các yêu cầu khác trong hai năm. FBC cũng đồng ý bồi thường thiệt hại về án phí cho một LEP đã từng sử dụng dịch vụ của tòa án và cho cá nhân khiếu nại rằng mình bị trả đũa.
Việc thực thi Tiêu đề VI là ưu tiên hàng đầu của Bộ Phận Dân Quyền. Quý vị có thể tìm hiểu thêm thông tin về Bộ phận Dân quyền trên trang web của họ tại www.justice.gov/crt, và thông tin về trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế và Tiêu đề VI tại www.lep.gov. Tất cả mọi người đều có quyền báo cáo các hành vi vi phạm dân quyền tại https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Jury Convicts Georgia Resident on Dog Fighting ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal jury convicted a Georgia resident on federal charges stemming from violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Kizzy Solomon, aka Kizzy Andrews, 44, of Camilla, was found guilty on June 22 of 15 counts of aiding and abetting the possession and training of dogs for purposes of an animal fighting venture following a two-day trial that began on June 21 in federal court. Solomon is facing a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count and three years of supervised release.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of one to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 to $250,000, or both. Sentencing for certain defendants is scheduled for July 21-22 before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The successful conclusion of this case highlights the division’s efforts to combat animal cruelty since we took responsibility for combating this vicious and cruel crime in 2014,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue to prosecute significant and major offenders to maximize the impact of these cases on this illegal industry.”
“Dog fighting is an atrocious crime that often serves as a breeding ground for other illegal behavior,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia. “Our office will vigorously prosecute individuals found abusing and using animals for illegal fighting and gambling. I want to thank the law enforcement agencies involved at the local and federal level for helping us obtain justice in this case, sending a message that dog fighting will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia.”
“Individuals who support and facilitate the cold-hearted practice of dog fighting will face the fullest extent of criminal sanctions for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. “We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who support the appalling abuse of these animals.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, federal agents executed a search warrant at Solomon’s Camilla property on Sept. 12, 2018, seizing 27 pit bull-type dogs housed on chains, in poor living conditions. All but the puppies had scarring and injuries consistent with use in dog fighting. Agents also seized a large amount of dog fighting equipment in plain view throughout the primary living spaces of the house. Most notably, there was a large dog treadmill on which various dogs’ fighting histories, including whether they had perished during the fights, was written in print.
11 co-defendants previously entered guilty pleas to various offenses related to their participation in an animal fighting venture:
Leslie Meyers aka Les Meyers, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida;
Alonza Jordan, 48, of Americus, Georgia;
Germany Brockington aka Rat and Gator, 34, of Ambrose, Georgia;
Kevin Charles aka Trinidad, 45, of Jackson, Georgia;
Maurice Glover, 48, of Douglas, Georgia;
Orlando Johnson aka OJ and Juiceman, 35, of Americus, Georgia;
Shadon Johnson, 37, of Fitzgerald, Georgia;
Terry Driggers, 71, of Hoboken, Georgia;
Starlin Morgan, 39, of Plains, Georgia;
Kentre Gibson aka Gipp, 40, of Douglas, Georgia; and,
Timothy White, 51, of Patterson, Georgia.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of one to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 to $250,000, or both. Sentencing for certain defendants is scheduled for July 21-July 22 before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Decatur County Animal Control.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane for the Middle District of Georgia and Environment and Natural Resources Division Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy are prosecuting the case.
Virginia Man Sentenced for Producing Images of Child Sex AbuseRead the Press Release
A Virginia man was sentenced today in the Eastern District of Virginia to 19 years in prison for the production and distribution of child pornography.
Kevin Hewlett, 36, of Bluemont, was convicted by a federal jury on Oct. 8, 2020, of producing and distributing child pornography. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Hewlett was a farrier, a craftsman who trims and shoes horses’ hooves. He was hired to be the farrier to a minor girl’s horses. Hewlett began communicating with the minor regularly through text messages and social media applications. Then in August 2018, Hewlett recorded himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the minor in his bedroom. A few months later, in January 2019, Hewlett sent the minor the recording.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task force, which is composed of FBI agents along with local, state and federal partners.
Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Smith III of the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Prison Health Care Provider Naphcare Agrees to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
NaphCare Inc., headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, has agreed to pay $694,593 to resolve allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in connection with health care services provided to BOP inmates.
“Companies that do business with the government have an obligation to ensure that they charge only for the services they provide,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who knowingly fail to comply with this obligation and seek taxpayer funds to which they are not entitled.”
NaphCare subcontracts with physicians to provide health care services to inmates who reside at BOP facilities located throughout the United States. The United States alleged that NaphCare submitted inflated claims for evaluation and management services provided by several physicians at BOP’s Terre Haute, Indiana, facility between January 2014 and June 2020. Specifically, the United States alleged that, when certain physicians did not indicate the type of service performed on onsite visit sheets, NaphCare charged the government for higher-level services than were provided. The settlement also resolves allegations that, for two other physicians at BOP’s facility in Victorville, California, NaphCare similarly submitted claims that included higher-level services than those that were actually performed.
“This settlement is the result of the OIG’s innovative data analytics and other efforts to identify health care claims anomalies to protect taxpayer dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth R. Dieffenbach of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Detection Office. “Government contractors have a responsibility to ensure that all claims presented to the government are accurate.”
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General. This matter was handled by Trial Attorney Jonathan Gold.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs and Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that NATHAN BALLANSAW III, age 69, of New Orleans, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and heroin, and firearms-related charges.
Specifically, on June 24, 2021, BALLANSAW pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine base, and heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. BALLANSAW also pled guilty to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On the drug conspiracy, BALLANSAW faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment. On the firearm charge, BALLANSAW faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years of imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
According to court documents, BALLANSAW conspired to sell cocaine, cocaine base and heroin between September 12, 2015 and May 4, 2017. In furtherance of that drug-trafficking conspiracy, he possessed a Smith and Wesson Model 638-2 .38 caliber revolver on March 28, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs and Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that NATHAN BALLANSAW III, age 69, of New Orleans, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and heroin, and firearms-related charges.
Specifically, on June 24, 2021, BALLANSAW pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine base, and heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. BALLANSAW also pled guilty to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On the drug conspiracy, BALLANSAW faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least 3 years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment. On the firearm charge, BALLANSAW faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years of imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
According to court documents, BALLANSAW conspired to sell cocaine, cocaine base and heroin between September 12, 2015 and May 4, 2017. In furtherance of that drug-trafficking conspiracy, he possessed a Smith and Wesson Model 638-2 .38 caliber revolver on March 28, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
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New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Other CrimesRead the Press Release
A New Hampshire man was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for sex trafficking of a minor, operation of a prostitution enterprise and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The court also ordered $20,800 in restitution to the victims.
After a three-day trial in March 2019, a federal jury found Steven Tucker, 36, of Manchester, guilty of one count of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of operating an interstate prostitution enterprise and one count of maintaining a property for drug trafficking.
Evidence presented at trial established that, between October 2013 and June 2014, the defendant operated drug and prostitution businesses in the Manchester area. He sold heroin to numerous individuals, including young women and a minor. Witnesses described how the defendant used their addictions to cause them to prostitute for his profit. The defendant would often front heroin to the women and then arrange prostitution “dates” for them. The women were required to give the defendant half of the proceeds and then purchase heroin from him with the remainder.
On other occasions, the defendant withheld heroin from the women, causing them to suffer painful withdrawal symptoms and then instructed them to prostitute to earn money to purchase heroin from him. The defendant’s scheme guaranteed that he had a steady source of drug customers and money. Some of the women were required to help the defendant sell his heroin and received heroin in exchange. The defendant used violence and threats to maintain control of the women. The investigation began in 2014, when the mother of one of the women called the Manchester Police Department after the defendant beat her daughter.
“The Civil Rights Division is committed to pursuing justice on behalf of vulnerable members of our society,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant preyed on young women and teenage girls living in the shadows and on the margins. He cruelly exploited their drug addictions for his own profit. This sentence sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate human trafficking and will work tirelessly to restore the rights and dignity of its victims.”
“By exploiting and trafficking multiple victims, including a minor, this defendant committed egregious and reprehensible crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Farley of the District of New Hampshire. “The substantial sentence imposed today finally holds Mr. Tucker responsible for his actions and sends a clear message to the community that this conduct will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and members of the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force to combat the human trafficking in the Granite State.”
“Today’s sentence brings to a conclusion one of the most disturbing cases of exploitative treatment of human trafficking victims that we have seen,” said William S. Walker, acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “Mr. Tucker’s trial of harm and pain will unfortunately live within his victims for years to come, but, hopefully, they will take solace in knowing that the sentence imposed upon Mr. Tucker today effectively prevents him from causing more physical and psychological trauma to future victims. HSI was pleased to partner in this case with the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, the Manchester Police Department and the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office. Without the tireless work of these partners, Mr. Tucker’s victims would never have had even the opportunity to achieve any measure of justice while continuing the healing process.”
This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire and the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU). The Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office provided victim assistance in the case.
The New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force is a multidisciplinary effort comprised of law enforcement as well as social, medical and legal services for victims of human trafficking. The Task Force is funded by a grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) and Bureau of Justice Programs (BJA).
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold Huftalen for the District of New Hampshire and Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao for the Civil Rights Division’s HTPU, with assistance from HTPU Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky.
Las Vegas Business Owner Pleads Guilty in Fraudulent Income Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
A Las Vegas, Nevada, businesswoman pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return.
According to court documents and admissions made in court, Graciela Rueda Alvarez, aka “Graciela Masso,” owned and operated two Las Vegas businesses: All Hose Inc. (AHI) and All Hose South LLC (AHS), which are distributors of industrial, hydraulic, and pneumatic hoses, connectors and fluid transfer systems. From 2013 to 2016, Rueda Alvarez transferred more than $950,000 of the profits from AHI and AHS to bank accounts she controlled, but did not report these funds as income on her personal federal tax returns. In total, Rueda Alvarez caused a tax loss to the IRS of $210,807.
Rueda Alvarez faces the statutory maximum penalty of three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. In addition to the prison term, Rueda Alvarez has agreed to pay $458,728.52 in restitution, including past-due taxes, interest, and penalties. U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey scheduled sentencing for Sept. 27.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigation made the announcement.
The IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva of the District of Nevada and Trial Attorney Michael Landman of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against the State of Georgia to Stop Racially Discriminatory Provisions of New Voting LawRead the Press Release
The U.S. Justice Department announced today that it filed a lawsuit against the State of Georgia, the Georgia Secretary of State, and the Georgia State Election Board over recent voting procedures adopted by Georgia Senate Bill 202, which was signed into law in March 2021. The United States’ complaint challenges provisions of Senate Bill 202 under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
“The right of all eligible citizens to vote is the central pillar of our democracy, the right from which all other rights ultimately flow,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland “This lawsuit is the first step of many we are taking to ensure that all eligible voters can cast a vote; that all lawful votes are counted; and that every voter has access to accurate information.”
“The right to vote is one of the most central rights in our democracy and protecting the right to vote for all Americans is at the core of the Civil Rights Division’s mission,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will use all the tools it has available to ensure that each eligible citizen can register, cast a ballot, and have that ballot counted free from racial discrimination. Laws adopted with a racially motivated purpose, like Georgia Senate Bill 202, simply have no place in democracy today.”
“One of the fundamental rights of our democracy is the right to vote. That right should be protected for every citizen of our district, regardless of race,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine for the Northern District of Georgia. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to vote.”
The United States’ complaint contends that several provisions of Senate Bill 202 were adopted with the purpose of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race. The Justice Department’s lawsuit alleges that the cumulative and discriminatory effect of these laws—particularly on Black voters—was known to lawmakers and that lawmakers adopted the law despite this.
The United States’ complaint challenges several provisions of Senate Bill 202, including a provision banning government entities from distributing unsolicited absentee ballot applications; the imposition of costly and onerous fines on civic organizations, churches and advocacy groups that distribute follow-up absentee ballot applications; the shortening of the deadline to request absentee ballots to 11 days before Election Day; the requirement that voters who do not have identification issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services photocopy another form of identification in order to request an absentee ballot without allowing for use of the last four digits of a social security number for such applications; significant limitations on counties’ use of absentee ballot drop boxes; the prohibition on efforts by churches and civic groups to provide food or water to persons waiting in long lines to vote; and the prohibition on counting out-of-precinct provisional ballots cast before 5 p.m. on Election Day. The complaint asks the court to prohibit Georgia from enforcing these requirements.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco also issued a memo to United States Attorneys and FBI Field Offices today on investigating and prosecuting threats to election officials. To assist with this important effort the department will also establish an intra-Departmental task force to address the rising threats.
Today’s announcements follow Attorney General Garland’s recent commitment to expand the Justice Department’s efforts to safeguard voting rights.
More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot. Complaints about discriminatory voting practices may be reported to the Voting Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931.
For a list of the department’s actions to protect voting rights, click here.
Belgian Security Services Firm Agrees to Plead Guilty to Criminal Antitrust Conspiracy Affecting Department of Defense ProcurementRead the Press Release
G4S Secure Solutions NV (G4S), a Belgian security firm, has agreed to plead guilty for its role in a conspiracy to rig bids, allocate customers and fix prices for defense-related security services, including a multimillion-dollar contract issued in 2020 to provide security services to the U.S. Department of Defense for military bases and installations in Belgium. This is the first international resolution obtained by the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF).
“The Procurement Collusion Strike Force is committed to safeguarding public procurement at home and abroad from collusion that cheats American taxpayers out of the benefits of competition for critical goods and services,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The division, along with our law enforcement colleagues, will hold security services providers and their executives accountable for conduct that targeted contracts to secure Department of Defense bases and installations abroad.”
“The FBI is committed to rooting out corruption and fraud against the United States wherever it occurs,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the strength of our collaborative efforts to investigate and prosecute anticompetitive, fraudulent conduct that harms U.S. taxpayers.”
“Today’s plea agreement demonstrates the continued focus of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and its law enforcement partners on protecting the integrity of the military procurement process,” said Deputy Director Paul K. Sternal of DCIS. “DCIS is steadfast in its commitment to work with its law enforcement partners and the PCSF to hold defense contractors accountable for employing corrupt business practices that endanger the security and safety of our service members at home and abroad.”
“We will continue to pursue integrity in the contracting arena and work closely with the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies to prevent collusion and fraud, and bring those responsible to justice,” said Director Frank Robey of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “Protecting the military and the United States taxpayer is paramount.”
The charge filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleges that G4S participated in the conspiracy from spring 2019 through summer 2020. Between 2019 and 2020, G4S and its co-conspirators participated in a conspiracy to allocate security services contracts in Belgium among themselves and to determine the prices at which contracts would be bid. The contracts affected by the conspiracy include those for the U.S. Department of Defense and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Communications and Information Agency, which is funded in part by the United States.
In addition to agreeing to plead guilty, G4S has agreed to pay a criminal fine of $15 million. The company began cooperating with the United States in April 2020 and will continue to cooperate in the ongoing investigation. The plea agreement is subject to court approval.
The Antitrust Division’s New York Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated with the assistance of the FBI’s International Corruption Unit New York Field Office, the DCIS’ New York Resident Agency and the Transnational Operations Field Office, the U.S. Army CID's Major Procurement Fraud Unit, and other PCSF partners in Europe.
In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the PCSF, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant, and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. In fall 2020, the Strike Force expanded its footprint with the launch of PCSF: Global, designed to deter, detect investigate and prosecute collusive schemes that target government spending outside of the United States.
To contact the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, or to report information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging, and other anticompetitive conduct related to the security services industry, go to https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
Amec Foster Wheeler Energy Limited Agrees to Pay over $18 Million to Resolve Charges Related to Bribery Scheme in BrazilRead the Press Release
Amec Foster Wheeler Energy Limited (Amec Foster Wheeler or the Company), a subsidiary of John Wood Group plc (Wood), a United Kingdom-based global engineering company, has agreed to pay $18,375,000 to resolve criminal charges stemming from a scheme to pay bribes to officials in Brazil in exchange for an approximately $190 million contract to design a gas-to-chemicals complex.
According to court documents, Amec Foster Wheeler entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in connection with the filing of an information charging the Company with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
“Amec Foster Wheeler has now admitted to paying bribes in Brazil to win a lucrative contract,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In the pursuit of profits, the company resorted to corruption, which distorts markets and undermines the rule of law. Today’s resolution, including the financial penalty and agreement to enhance compliance, underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding companies accountable when they break the law and to rooting out criminal misconduct.”
“Amec Foster Wheeler conspired to pay bribes to officials in Brazil as part of a corrupt scheme to obtain a $190 million government contract and generate millions of dollars in profits,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis for the Eastern District of New York. “The defendant’s lengthy DPA and agreement to pay a penalty of more than $18 million demonstrate the commitment of this office to enforcing the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA and holding companies like Amec Wheeler Foster accountable for its illegal conduct and corporate greed.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the FBI’s dedication to work with our international partners in the global effort to hold individuals and companies accountable who may believe corruption is the only way to do business,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “When companies like Amec Foster Wheeler attempt to cheat the system, it creates an uneven playing field for businesses who don’t pay bribes. This deferred prosecution agreement, which includes both a substantial criminal penalty and other provisions, should serve as a warning to companies that even using a third-party intermediary to pay bribes will not preclude them from being held responsible for international corruption.”
According to the Company’s admissions in the DPA, between 2011 and 2014, Amec Foster Wheeler conspired with others, including an Italian sales agent affiliated with a Monaco-based intermediary company, to pay bribes to decision-makers at Petrobras in order to win an approximately $190 million contract from Petrobras to design a gas-to-chemicals complex in Brazil called Complexo Gás-Químico UFN-IV. The Company, through certain of its employees and agents, took acts in furtherance of the scheme while located in New York and Texas, and earned at least $12.9 million in profits from the corruptly obtained business.
As part of the DPA, for a three-year period, Amec Foster Wheeler agreed to continue to cooperate with the U.S. government in any ongoing or future criminal investigations concerning Amec Foster Wheeler or its executives, employees or agents. In addition, under the agreement, Amec Foster Wheeler and its parent company, Wood, agreed to enhance their compliance programs and to report to the government on the implementation of their enhanced compliance programs.
The government reached this resolution with Amec Foster Wheeler based on a number of factors, including the Company’s failure to voluntarily and timely disclose the conduct that triggered the investigation; the nature and seriousness of the offense, which spanned multiple years and involved a high-level executive; and credit for the Company’s cooperation. The Company also engaged in remedial measures, including terminating an individual involved in the misconduct, and adopting heightened controls and anti-corruption procedures. Accordingly, the criminal penalty reflects a 25% reduction off the applicable U.S. Sentencing Guidelines fine for the Company’s full cooperation and remediation.
In related proceedings, the Company has received provisional court approval for a settlement with the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office and has settled with the Ministério Público Federal (MPF), the Controladoria-Geral da União (CGU), and the Advogado-Geral da União (AGU) in Brazil. Under the DPA, the Fraud Section and the Eastern District of New York will credit up to 25% ($4,593,750) of the criminal penalty owed to the United States to payments the Company makes pursuant to the resolution with the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office, and up to 33% ($6,125,000) of the criminal penalty owed to the United States to payments the Company makes pursuant to the resolution with Brazilian authorities.
In a related civil matter with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a subsidiary of Wood has agreed to pay the SEC disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling approximately $22.7 million for the conduct in Brazil.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is investigating the case. The United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office and Brazil’s MPF, CGU, and AGU provided significant assistance.
Assistant Chief Gerald M. Moody Jr. and Trial Attorney Dennis Kihm of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Nestor of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-practices-act.
Three Texas Men Sentenced to Prison for Using Dating App to Target Gay Men for Violent CrimesRead the Press Release
Three Texas men were sentenced yesterday for violent crimes.
Michael Atkinson, 28, Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, 21, and Daryl Henry, 24, were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in a scheme to target gay men for violent crimes. Atkinson was sentenced to over 11 years in prison, Ceniceros-Deleon was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and Henry was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
“These three men participated in and committed acts of violence against innocent victims because they believed the victims were gay men,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This type of bias-motivated violence runs contrary to our values and violates our federal civil rights laws. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who target members of the LGBTQI community.”
“These defendants brutalized multiple victims, singling them out due to their sexual orientation. We cannot allow this sort of violence to fester unchecked,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah for the Northern District of Texas. “The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting hate crimes. In the meantime, we urge dating app users to remain vigilant. Unfortunately, predators often lurk online.”
“One of the FBI’s top priorities is to defend the civil rights of the communities we serve. We actively work with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and achieve justice for the victims impacted by these violent crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno of the FBI Dallas Field Office. “The victims in this case were specifically targeted because of their sexual orientation. The FBI wants to reassure the public that we will pursue individuals who commit violent hate acts against any member of our community.”
According to documents filed in connection with this case, these three defendants admitted that they conspired to and then targeted as many as nine men in and around Dallas, Texas for violent crimes including kidnapping, carjacking, and hate crimes. Beginning on or around Dec. 6, 2017, members of this conspiracy used Grindr, a social media dating platform used primarily by gay men, to lure men to an apartment complex in Dallas. When the men arrived, the conspirators held the men at gunpoint and forced them to drive to local ATMs to withdraw cash from their accounts.
Atkinson and Henry admitted to joining this conspiracy to target gay men for violent crimes. On Dec. 11, 2017, the conspirators used Grindr to lure five men to a vacant apartment in Dallas where they held the men at gunpoint, kidnapped, carjacked, and assaulted them. As part of his plea agreement, Henry admitted that he used violence and threats of violence to hold the victims in the backroom and closet of the vacant apartment while other conspirators used the victims’ vehicles to drive to local ATMs to steal cash from the victims’ accounts. Atkinson and Ceniceros-Deleon admitted that they traveled in the carjacked vehicles to take cash from the victims’ accounts. While the victims were held at gunpoint, some were physically assaulted, at least one victim was sexually assaulted, and all of the victims were taunted with gay slurs.
In 2019, Atkinson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping and carjacking and one count of kidnapping.
Ceniceros-Deleon pleaded guilty in 2019 to one hate crime count, one count of carjacking, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Henry pleaded guilty in 2019 to one hate crime count and one count of conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping and carjacking.
A final member of the conspiracy will be sentenced on Oct. 6, 2021. This final conspirator, Daniel Jenkins, pleaded guilty on June 3 to a hate crime violation; conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping and carjacking; and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Under the plea agreement, Jenkins faces a maximum sentence of 26 years in prison.
The FBI’s Dallas Field Office conducted the federal investigation; a separate criminal investigation is being conducted by the Dallas Police Department. Special Litigation Counsel Rose E. Gibson and Trial Attorney Kathryn Gilbert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Dana, are prosecuting the case.
Statement of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Investigation into the January 6th Attack on the CapitolRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s statement on the investigation into the January 6th Attack on the Capitol:
“The Department of Justice reached several benchmarks in our investigation into the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“We have now crossed the threshold of 500 arrests, including the 100th arrest of a defendant on charges of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. This morning, we arrested our first defendant on charges that include assaulting a member of the news media.
“I could not be more proud of the extraordinary effort by investigators and prosecutors to hold accountable those who engaged in criminal acts that day. Particular credit goes to those serving as prosecutors and agents in Washington, D.C., as well as those in FBI field offices and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, and with the Department’s National Security Division.
“Our efforts to bring criminal charges are not possible without the continued assistance of the American public. To date, we have received their more than 200,000 digital tips.
“I assure the American people that the Department of Justice will continue to follow the facts in this case and charge what the evidence supports to hold all January 6th perpetrators accountable.”
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The FBI continues to request the public’s assistance in identifying individuals sought in connection to the January 6th attack, and I encourage all of our citizens to visit https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/capitol-violence to view images and video of the crimes committed that day. Anyone with information to share can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The charges contained in any criminal complaint or indictment are merely allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.