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Friday 22 October 2010
Brooklyn-area Patient Pleads Guilty in Medicare Fraud Kick-back SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Brooklyn-area resident Yefim Drakhler pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn for his participation in a Medicare fraud scheme operated out of the Solstice Wellness Center, a Brooklyn-area clinic purportedly providing physical therapy and various diagnostic services.
Drakhler, 74, pleaded guilty to conspiring to solicit and receive cash kickbacks in return for purportedly receiving treatment at Solstice. According to the underlying complaint, Drakhler was a Medicare patient at Solstice and was paid cash kickbacks in exchange for purportedly receiving medical services at Solstice which were subsequently billed to Medicare.
The complaint alleges that a former medical provider at Solstice turned over a ledger book to law enforcement which contained the names of Medicare beneficiaries, including Drakhler, and an indication of the number of visits to the clinic made by those beneficiaries.
At the plea hearing, Drakhler admitted that from approximately January 2009 to April 2010, he made visits to Solstice for medical services and that he was paid cash for receiving these services at the clinic. In addition, Drakhler admitted that he received these cash payments in a small room at Solstice from a man who Drakhler identified as one of the owners of Solstice.
According to the complaint, Drakhler was an “over-utilized beneficiary” or a Medicare beneficiary who appears to be shared among various providers and receives an excessive volume of services. According to the complaint, approximately $214,516 worth of services from 124 medical providers was billed to Medicare under Drakhler’s Medicare number during a six-year period.
The charge of conspiracy to solicit and receive health care kickbacks carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Today’s charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta E. Lynch; and Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Hank Bond Walther and Trial Attorneys Katherine Houston and Steven Kim of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the HHS Office of the Inspector General, the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the New York Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 825 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $2 billion . In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to More Than 18 Years for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
October 22, 2010BOSTON - A Mattapan man was sentenced today for being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded .357 caliber revolver.
Terrance Moon, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper to 220 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In January 2013, Moon was convicted after trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
When the Boston Police Department executed a search of Moon's apartment in Mattapan in February 2011, they found a loaded .357 revolver under his mattress. Boston detectives also found crack cocaine, heroin, and other tools of the drug-dealing trade. Moon qualified as an armed career criminal, having previously been convicted of several violent felonies, including armed robbery with a sawed-off shotgun, armed robbery with a cork screw, assault and battery on a police officer, and robbery of an undercover police officer.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; John J. Arvanitis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Edward Davis of the Boston Police Department, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Eric P. Christofferson and Robert E. Richardson of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
Thursday 21 October 2010
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty to Charges for Involvement in a Racketeering Enterprise That Engaged in Forced LaborRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A citizen of Uzbekistan residing in Mission, Kan., pleaded guilty late yesterday to charges for his role as the leader of a criminal enterprise that engaged in forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering, the Justice Department announced today. Today’s conviction was prosecuted under the statute prohibiting fraud in foreign labor contracting enacted as part of the Trafficking Victim’s Reauthorization Act of 2008.
According to court documents, Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 31, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, fraud in foreign labor contracting, evasion of corporate employment tax, and identity theft. As leader of this criminal enterprise, Askarkhodjaev arranged for the recruitment and exploitation of foreign national workers. Many of these workers were recruited with false promises related to the terms, conditions and nature of their employment. Once the enterprise obtained the workers’ presence in the United States, it maintained their labor through threats of deportation and other adverse immigration consequences.
"The defendant exploited foreign workers and subjected them to servitude through intimidation and fear. The coercion these victims endured rendered them victims of a form of modern-day slavery that is an intolerable deprivation of individual rights," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously prosecute cases of human trafficking."
"This investigation led to the guilty plea of an individual who, with other defendants, abused the Department of Labor’s foreign labor certification program to fraudulently obtain visas for foreign workers who were victims of human trafficking and other violations. It highlights the OIG’s commitment in protecting the integrity of this program and the OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate this type of crime." stated Daniel R. Petrole, Acting Inspector General, United States Department of Labor.
"The leader of a global criminal enterprise sought to profit from the oppression of vulnerable foreign workers," said Beth Phillips, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. "Confronted with the overwhelming evidence we were prepared to present to the jury, on the day of his trial the defendant admitted his guilt and now will be held accountable for his actions."
"This guilty plea underscores the commitment of ICE Homeland Security Investigations to investigate and dismantle human trafficking organizations," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Chicago. "This illegal and immoral enterprise exploited foreign workers and subjected them to intolerable living conditions. However, it also defrauded legitimate guest worker visa programs so the ringleaders could maximize their criminal profits."
Multiple co-defendants have previously pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Co-defendant Kristen Dougherty is set for trial beginning Oct. 25, 2010.
In announcing the plea, Assistant Attorney General Perez and U.S. Attorney Phillips commended the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, the Kansas Department of Revenue and the Independence Police Department for their work in this cooperative investigation and prosecution. Assistant United States Attorneys William Meiners and Trey Alford and Civil Rights Division Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit Trial Attorney Jim Felte prosecuted this case for the government.
Two Miami Corporations and Four Individuals Indicted for Health Care Fraud Scheme InvolvingApproximately $200 Million in Medicare BillingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Miami health care companies and four owners and senior managers of the companies were indicted today for their alleged participation in a fraud scheme involving approximately $200 million in Medicare billing for purported mental health services, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS). In a related civil action, a temporary restraining order was obtained to freeze the assets of the indicted companies and individuals.
A 13-count indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida, charges American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC) and Medlink Professional Management Group Inc. (Medlink), as well as Lawrence S. Duran, Marianella Valera, Judith Negron and Margarita Acevedo, aka Margarita De La Cruz, with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. ATC, Duran and Valera were also charged with 11 counts of health care fraud. ATC, Duran, Valera and Acevedo are charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, to receive health care kickbacks and to pay health care kickbacks. The individuals were all arrested this morning in Miami and will make initial appearances in U.S. District Court later today. Federal agents are conducting search warrants today at six ATC and Medlink locations.
In a separate action, a civil complaint for injunctive relief was unsealed today in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida and a temporary restraining order was obtained to freeze the assets of Duran, Valera, Negron, Acevedo, ATC and Medlink.
"Since the Strike Force began operation, we have rarely seen anything like the illegal conduct charged in this indictment, both in terms of the nature and size of the scheme," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. "The Strike Force is committed to finding and prosecuting individuals and companies who aim to cheat the American taxpayer in this way."
"The alleged fraud in this case was undermining a Medicare health care program that provides an important benefit for beneficiaries who need outpatient psychiatric services," said Assistant Attorney General Tony West of the Civil Division. "Today’s coordinated criminal and civil action has moved in a targeted manner to assure that vital resources meant for beneficiaries are protected, that fraud and abuse in this program are eliminated, and at the same time, that defendants are stripped of their ill-gotten gains."
According to the criminal and civil court documents, the defendants allegedly participated in a scheme to defraud the Medicare program by submitting false claims for mental health services administered at ATC facilities that were medically unnecessary or were not provided. ATC, headquartered in Miami, operated purported partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) in seven different locations throughout Florida, from Homestead to Orlando. A PHP is a form of intensive treatment for mental illness.
Court documents allege that Duran, Valera, Acevedo and ATC paid kickbacks to owners and operators of assisted living facilities (ALFs) and halfway houses in exchange for the ALFs and halfway houses delivering patients from their facilities to ATC. According to the indictment, in many instances, the patients received a portion of the kickbacks from the owners and operators of the ALFs and halfway houses. ATC allegedly billed Medicare for services purportedly provided to these recruited patients. According the indictment, the services were not medically necessary or were not provided at all. According to the civil complaint, ATC routinely admitted patients to the PHP program who suffered from Alzheimer’s and severe dementia and therefore were not eligible for the PHP program because their mental capacity did not allow them to benefit from group therapy.
Court documents allege that patient charts and notes from therapy sessions were routinely altered at ATC in order to make it appear that the patients being treated at ATC qualified for PHP treatments when, in fact, they did not. According to the indictment, Duran and Valera allegedly instructed employees and doctors at ATC to alter diagnoses and medication types and levels to falsely make it appear that the patients qualified for PHP treatments. Court documents also allege that Valera manipulated the length of patients’ stays in order to maximize the number of days Medicare would pay for the PHP services.
The civil complaint and temporary restraining order also name American Sleep Institute Inc. (ASI) and D&V Development Inc., as participants in the health care fraud. Civil court documents allege that ASI was owned and operated by Valera and Duran and that ASI submitted false claims to the Medicare program for sleep studies. According to the civil complaint, D&V Development was owned and operated by Valera and Duran and was established in an effort to divert funds received by ATC and ASI.
"Today’s announcement exemplifies the cooperation between the Department of Justice’s Criminal and Civil Divisions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Florida, HHS-OIG and the FBI," said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer. "Through the HEAT Strike Force, we have pooled our resources and sharpened our efforts to combat the latest health care fraud du jour: fraud involving community mental health programs. As this case demonstrates, we have the expertise, the commitment and the resources to tackle these emerging fraudulent schemes."
"Community mental health centers across the country serve a uniquely vulnerable population," said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. "Those attempting to defraud this critically important program – as we are charging here today – should expect to pay a heavy price."
"Today’s arrests and search warrants give notice to anyone involved in fraudulent health care practices that there are no ‘safe havens’ for their businesses in South Florida," said Acting Special Agent in Charge William Maddalena. "The FBI in Miami will continue to make this type of crime a top priority."
An indictment is merely a charge and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Today’s actions were announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; Assistant Attorney General Tony West of the Civil Division; U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of HHS.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Jennifer L. Saulino and Joseph S. Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, Vanessa I. Reed and Carolyn B. Tapie of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted L. Radway of the Southern District of Florida. The case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Since their inception in March 2007, Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 825 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for approximately $2 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
Toledo, Ohio, Agrees to Make Major Improvements to City’s Sewer System at an Estimated Cost of $315 MillionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The city of Toledo, Ohio, has agreed to make extensive improvements to its sewer system that will significantly reduce the city’s longstanding sewage overflows into Swan Creek and the Maumee and Ottawa Rivers, the city’s main waterways, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Ohio announced today.
The Clean Water Act settlement lodged today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, modifies a 2002 agreement between the United States, state of Ohio and city of Toledo. The 2002 agreement required that Toledo greatly expand its treatment plant and build a large storage basin to capture stormwater combined with sewage during high flows for later treatment. The parties understood that although the improvements were important, they were only the first phase of the work needed to bring Toledo into compliance with the Clean Water Act. Therefore, the 2002 agreement also required Toledo to conduct a detailed study of the combined portions of its sewer system and propose a plan of additional measures to eliminate or substantially reduce wet weather discharges from Toledo’s combined sewers. Today’s agreement requires the city to implement this plan, which both the U.S. EPA and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) have now approved.
Under the amended agreement filed today in federal court, Toledo has agreed to expand its sewer system far beyond what it originally proposed to the U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA at a cost estimated at more than $315 million. Once the sewer system expansion is fully constructed as required by the amended agreement, Toledo will reduce its discharges of untreated combined sewage from an average of 35 times in a year to an average of zero to four times per year, depending upon the watershed.
The amended agreement relieves Toledo from having to build certain additional equipment at its wastewater treatment plant as required by the 2002 agreement. Given Toledo’s improved plant capacity and operational procedures, the additional equipment would provide less additional treatment capacity and environmental benefit than what will result from the enhanced combined sewer overflow control measures required by today’s agreement.
"This settlement will serve the citizens of Toledo and will result in dramatic improvements to the conditions of the Maumee River, Ottawa River and Swan Creek – meaning safer recreational use and a much healthier environment for aquatic life," said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. "The Department of Justice will ensure that the standards of the Clean Water Act are met and that serious community issues like sewage overflows are addressed."
"The Environmental Protection Agency is committed to enforcing laws that protect the public from exposure to discharges of raw sewage. This agreement shows that when vigorous enforcement is combined with creative and determined negotiation, municipalities, the United States and states can find workable solutions to improving sewer systems that are inadequate for modern needs," said Susan Hedman, Regional Administrator for EPA Region 5.
The modified settlement lodged today, as the First Amendment to Consent Decree in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. A copy of the First Amendment is available on the Justice Department website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html .
Texas Businessman Pleads Guilty in Virginia to Role in $100 Million Fraud Scheme Involving Life SettlementsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Eric M. Kurz, 46, of The Woodlands, Texas, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in conjunction with his actions as a wholesaler of investment products for A&O, a group of businesses that acquired and marketed life settlements to investors, announced U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride for the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.
This continuing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service and FBI, with significant assistance from the Texas State Securities Board. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. Dry and Jessica Aber Brumberg from the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Albert B. Stieglitz Jr., of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
The investigation has been coordinated by the Virginia Financial and Securities Fraud Task Force, an unprecedented partnership between criminal investigators and civil regulators to investigate and prosecute complex financial fraud cases in the nation and in Virginia. The task force is an investigative arm of the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, an interagency national task force.
President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.
Three principals of A&O were charged on Sept. 9, 2010, in an 18-count indictment for their alleged roles in the scheme. They are awaiting trial.
According to the statement of facts, A&O was founded in November 2004, and obtained life settlements from a wholesale life settlement company, then marketed and sold whole and partial interests in those life settlements to investors. A life settlement is an investment in which a person sells his/her life insurance policy for a cash payment, which is a percentage of the policy’s face value or death benefit.
In the statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Kurz admitted that from September 2005 to November 2007, he was affiliated with A&O, creating marketing materials for A&O’s sales agents to distribute to potential investors. He also admitted that with his co-conspirators, he published information on an A&O website. Kurz knew that the website and marketing materials contained specific misrepresentations about A&O’s management and past success. According to the statement of facts, A&O obtained approximately $100 million from investors in 38 states and in Canada from 2005 to January 2008, based on the material misrepresentations and omission by Kurz and his co-conspirators.
Kurz pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck to a one-count criminal information alleging conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering. At sentencing, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against Families with Children at Apartment Complex in Longview, Wash.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that the owners and manager of Mountain View Apartments in Longview, Wash., have agreed to pay $12,500 as a civil penalty to settle allegations that they discriminated against families with children in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The settlement must be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
"The law protects families with children from discrimination when they are looking for housing," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "Particularly in times of economic distress, we must remain vigilant to ensure all individuals have equal access to housing."
"In all our communities, in big cities or small towns, we must ensure equal access to housing. Few things are more fundamental to success and happiness than having a safe place to live," said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. "This settlement should serve as a warning to other property owners and managers not to discriminate against families with children."
The settlement resolves the Justice Department’s lawsuit, also filed today, which alleges that the owners and operators of Mountain View stated and maintained a policy of not renting apartments to families with children in one or more of the seven buildings at Mountain View. The allegations are based on evidence generated by the department’s Fair Housing Testing Program, in which individuals pose as renters to gather information about possible discriminatory practices. The lawsuit names as defendants Marilyn Heim, the manager of Mountain View, as well as the owners of Mountain View: Gene Krause, Sylvia Krause, Richard Trull, Melanie Trull, and their general partnership, Trull and Krause.
In addition to the $12,500 civil penalty, the settlement also requires the defendants to obtain training in the Fair Housing Act for themselves and their employees, adopt a non-discrimination policy making clear that families with children may reside in every building on a non-discriminatory basis, and submit periodic reports to the United States for monitoring purposes.
Fighting illegal housing discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt . Persons who believe they have experienced or witnessed unlawful housing discrimination may call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected], or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777. More information about the Fair Housing Act can also be found at www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing or www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
Houston-area Patient Recruiter Pleads Guilty in a $5.2 Million Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A patient recruiter for a Houston-based home health care company pleaded guilty today in connection with a $5.2 million Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).
Cynthia Garza-Williams, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Atlas in Houston. According to court documents, Family Healthcare Group (Family Group) purported to provide skilled nursing to Medicare beneficiaries. The owner hired co-conspirators, including Garza-Williams, to recruit Medicare beneficiaries for the purposes of filing claims with Medicare for skilled nursing. Family Group then used the Medicare beneficiary numbers to submit claims to Medicare for skilled nursing that was medically unnecessary and/or not provided.
Garza-Williams admitted that on a monthly basis she gave cash-filled envelopes to a medical doctor. In return, the medical doctor signed plans of care for home health care services that were not medically necessary. In total, Family Group was paid approximately $5.2 million by Medicare based on the submission of fraudulent claims.
At sentencing, scheduled for Apr. 18, 2011, Garza-Williams faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Today’s guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer; U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno of the Southern District of Texas; Special Agent-in-Charge Richard C. Powers of the FBI’s Houston Field Office; Special Agent-in-Charge Mike Fields of the Dallas Regional Office of HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations; and the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Charles D. Reed and Sam S. Sheldon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 825 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $2 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov .
Hombre Uzbeco se declara culpable de cargos de participación en una asociación ilícita dedicada al trabajo forzadoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Un ciudadano de Uzbekistán residente en Mission, Kan., se declaró culpable ayer a la tarde de cargos por su papel como líder de una empresa delictiva dedicada a los trabajos forzados, fraude en la contratación de mano de obra extranjera, fraude de visa, fraude postal, robo de identidad, evasión de impuestos y lavado de dinero, anuncio hoy el Departamento de Justicia. La condena de hoy es la primerísima condena a utilizar la ley que prohíbe el fraude en la contratación de mano de obra extranjera promulgada como parte de la Ley de Reautorización de Víctimas del Tráfico de 2008.
De acuerdo con el expediente judicial, Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 31, se declaró culpable de conspiración para cometer delincuencia organizada, fraude en la contratación de mano de obra extranjera, evasión de impuestos de nómina de empleados empresariales, y robo de identidad. Cómo líder de la empresa delictiva, Askarkhodjaev realizó arreglos para reclutar y explotar a trabajadores extranjeros. Muchos de estos trabajadores fueron reclutados con promesas falsas asociadas a los términos, las condiciones y la naturaleza de su empleo. Una vez que la empresa obtenía la presencia de los trabajadores en los Estados Unidos, los mantenía trabajando a través de amenazas de deportación y otras consecuencias inmigratorias adversas.
"El demandado explotó a los trabajadores extranjeros y luego los sujetó a un régimen de esclavitud a través de la intimidación y el temor. La coerción sufrida por estas víctimas las convirtió en víctimas de una forma de esclavitud moderna que es una privación intolerable de los derechos individuales", dijo Thomas E. Pérez, Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar para la División de Derechos Civiles. "El Departamento de Justicia seguirá enjuiciando los casos de tráfico de personas enérgicamente".
"Esta investigación llevó a la declaración de culpabilidad de un individuo que, junto con otros demandados, abusó del programa de certificación de mano de obra extranjera del Departamento del Trabajo para obtener visas fraudulentamente para trabajadores extranjeros que eran víctimas de tráfico de personas y otras violaciones. Destaca el compromiso de la Oficina del Inspector General de proteger la integridad de este programa y la OIG seguirá trabajando con nuestros asociados de las fuerzas del orden público en la investigación de este tipo de delito". Dijo Daniel R. Petrole, Inspector General Interino, Departamento del Trabajo de los Estados Unidos.
"El líder de una empresa delictiva global buscó obtener ganancias a través de la opresión de trabajadores extranjeros vulnerables", dijo Beth Phillips, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Oeste de Missouri. "Confrontado con las pruebas sobrecogedoras que estábamos preparados para presentar al jurado, el día de su enjuiciamiento el demandado admitió su culpa y ahora será responsabilizado por sus actos".
"Esta declaración de culpabilidad destaca el compromiso de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de investigar y desmantelar las organizaciones de tráfico de personas", dijo Gary Hartwig, agente especial a cargo de ICE HSI en Chicago. "Esta empresa ilegal e inmoral explotaba a trabajadores extranjeros, sujetándolos a condiciones de vida intolerables. Sin embargo, también defraudó a programas legítimos de visas para trabajadores invitados para poder así maximizar sus ganancias provenientes del delito".
Múltiples codemandados se habían declarado culpables anteriormente en conexión con el caso. El inicio del juicio del codemandado Kristen Dougherty ha sido programado para el 25 de octubre de 2010.
Al anunciar la declaración de culpabilidad, el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Pérez y el Fiscal Federal Phillips elogiaron la labor del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, del Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)], el Servicio de Impuestos Internos, el Departamento de Impuestos de Kansas y el Departamento de Policía de Independence en esta investigación y enjuiciamiento colectivos. Estuvieron a cargo de la acusación en el caso en nombre del gobierno los Fiscales Federales Auxiliares William Meiners y Trey Alford y el Abogado Litigante de la Unidad de Enjuiciamiento de Tráfico de Personas de la División de Derechos Humanos Jim Felte.
Hickman County, Tenn., Deputy Sheriff Charged with Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A federal grand jury in Nashville, Tenn., today returned an indictment charging Hickman County, Tenn., Deputy Sheriff Kenneth H. Smith with federal civil rights violations, as well as charges of lying to federal investigators, the Justice Department announced.
The indictment alleges that in or about May 2008, Smith violated a victim’s right to be free from interference with bodily integrity by engaging in aggravated sexual abuse. The indictment further alleges that Smith caused that victim bodily injury in the course of violating her civil rights.
The indictment also alleges that in September, October and December 2008, Smith violated the rights of two other victims to be free from an unreasonable search by photographing various parts of their unclothed bodies under the false pretense that those photographs were necessary for an official investigation. The indictment additionally alleges that on Jan. 13, 2009, Smith knowingly made two materially false statements to investigators.
An indictment is only an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by investigators with the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal McDonough and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti.
Empresa de California y dos ejecutivos fueron acusados formalmente por su supuesta participación en ardid para sobornar a funcionarios en empresa eléctrica estatal en MéxicoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lindsey Manufacturing Company, una empresa de Azusa, Calif., y dos de sus ejecutivos fueron acusados formalmente hoy por sus supuestos papeles en una conspiración para pagar sobornos a funcionarios gubernamentales mexicanos de la Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), una empresa estatal de servicios públicos, anunciaron el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar de la División Criminal Lanny A. Breuer; el Fiscal Federal André Birotte Jr. del Distrito Central de California; Steven M. Martínez, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina Local en Los Ángeles del Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)]; y Leslie DeMarco, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina Local en los Ángeles de la División de Investigación Criminal de Servicios de Impuestos Internos [Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)].
Keith E. Lindsey, 65, de La Canadá, Calif.; Steve K. Lee, 60, de Diamond Bar, Calif; y Lindsey Manufacturing Company fueron acusados cada uno en una acusación formal relevante compuesta por ocho cargos, de conspiración para violar la Ley de Prácticas Corruptas en el Extranjero (FCPA) y violaciones de la FCPA. La acusación formal relevante también acusa a Enrique Faustino Aguilar Noriega, 56, y Ángela María Gómez Aguilar, 55, ambos de Cuernavaca, México, quienes fueron anteriormente acusados formalmente el 15 de septiembre de 2010. Enrique Aguilar fue acusado de conspiración para violar la FCPA y violaciones de la FCPA. Enrique y Ángela Aguilar fueron acusados cada uno de conspiración para cometer lavado de dinero y lavado de dinero.
Según la acusación formal relevante, la CFE es responsable de suministrar electricidad en México y realiza contratos con empresas mexicanas y extranjeras por bienes y servicios para ayudar a brindar servicios eléctricos a sus consumidores. Enrique y Ángela Aguilar eran directores de Grupo Internacional de Asesores S.A. (Grupo), el cual alegaba proveer servicios de representación de ventas para empresas que realicen negocios con CFE.
De acuerdo con la acusación formal relevante, Lindsey Manufacturing contrató a Grupo como su representante de ventas en México y para obtener contratos para la empresa del CFE. Lindsey Manufacturing realiza sistemas de restauración de emergencia y otros equipos utilizados por empresas de servicios públicos de electricidad. De acuerdo con la acusación formal relevante, muchos de los clientes de Lindsey Manufacturing eran empresas de servicios públicos estatales extranjeras, incluida CFE, uno de los clientes más importantes de la empresa. Grupo recibió un porcentaje de los ingresos recibidos por Lindsey Manufacturing de sus contratos con CFE.
Desde aproximadamente febrero de 2002 a marzo de 2009, Lindsey Manufacturing, Lindsey, Lee y Enrique Aguilar supuestamente orquestaron un ardid en el que Enrique Aguilar recibió una comisión del 30 por ciento sobre todos los bienes y servicios que Lindsey Manufacturing vendió a CFE, aunque se trataba de una comisión significativamente más alta que la que habían recibido representantes de ventas de la compañía anteriores. La acusación formal relevante alega que Lindsey y Lee comprendían que toda o parte de la comisión del 30 por ciento sería utilizada para pagar sobornos a funcionarios mexicanos a cambio de la adjudicación de contratos de CFE a Lindsey Manufacturing Company. Los costos de los bienes y servicios vendidos a CFE supuestamente sufrieron un aumento de precio del 30 por ciento para asegurar que costo adicional pagado a Enrique Aguilar era absorbido por CFE y no Lindsey Manufacturing.
Enrique Aguilar supuestamente causó la presentación de facturas fraudulentas del Grupo a Lindsey Manufacturing por el 30 por ciento del precio del contrato. De acuerdo con la acusación formal relevante, Lindsey y Lee luego hicieron que el dinero solicitado en las facturas fraudulentas fuera transferido a una cuenta de corretaje de Grupo, supuestamente a sabiendas de que las facturas eran fraudulentas y los fondos estaban siendo utilizados como soborno.
Enrique y Ángela Aguilar supuestamente luego lavaron el dinero en la cuenta de corretaje de Grupo para realizar pagos ocultos en beneficio de los funcionarios de CFE. De acuerdo con la acusación formal, Enrique y Ángela Aguilar compraron un yate por aproximadamente $1.8 millones de dólares de nombre "Dream Seeker" y un Ferrari por $297,500 para un funcionario de CFE. De acuerdo con la acusación formal, Enrique y Ángela Aguilar también pagaron más de $170,000 dólares en cuentas de American Express para el funcionario de CFE y enviaron aproximadamente $600,000 dólares a parientes de un funcionario de CFE.
Ángela Aguilar fue arrestada el 10 de agosto de 2010, debido a una acusación criminal cuando se dirigía de Houston a México. Se ordenó su detención y fue enviada al Distrito Central del California, donde permanece en custodia.
Una acusación formal es apenas una acusación y los demandados son considerados inocentes hasta que se pruebe su culpabilidad, más allá de la duda razonable.
El cargo de conspiración bajo la FCPA conlleva una sentencia máxima de cinco años de prisión y una multa de $250,000 dólares o el doble del valor ganado o perdido, lo que sea mayor. Cada uno de los cuatro cargos bajo la FCPA tiene una sentencia máxima de cinco años de prisión y una multa de $100,000 dólares o el doble del valor ganado o perdido, lo que sea mayor. Los cargos de conspiración y gran lavado de dinero tienen una sentencia máxima cada uno de 20 años de prisión y una multa de $500,000 dólares o el doble del valor de la propiedad asociada a la transacción, lo que sea mayor. La acusación formal también da aviso de confiscación criminal.
Están cargo de la acusación en el caso el Abogado Litigante Principal Nicola J. Mrazek de la Sección de Fraude de la División Criminal y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Douglas M. Miller en el Distrito Central de California. El caso fue investigado por la Oficina Local en los Ángeles del FBI y la Oficina Local en Los Ángeles de IRS-CI, con la asistencia de la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales de la División Criminal prestó asistencia significativa en el caso. El Departamento de Justicia también agradece a las autoridades mexicanas por su asistencia constante en este asunto.
Dos empresas de Miami y dos individuos fueron acusados formalmente de participación en un ardid de fraude de servicios médicos asociado a $200 millones de dólares en facturación a MedicareRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Dos empresas del ramo de la salud de Miami y cuatro propietarios y gerentes principales de las empresas fueron acusados formalmente hoy de su supuesta participación en un ardid de fraude asociado a aproximadamente $200 millones de dólares en facturación a Medicare por supuestos servicios de salud mental, anunciaron los Departamentos de Justicia y de Salud y Servicios Humanos [Health and Human Services (HHS)]. En un proceso civil asociado, se obtuvo una orden de protección temporal para congelar los bienes de las compañías y personas acusadas.
Una acusación formal compuesta por 13 cargos revelada hoy en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito en el Distrito Sur de Florida, acusa a American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC) y Medlink Professional Management Group Inc. (Medlink), así como a Lawrence S. Duran, Marianella Valera, Judith Negrón y Margarita Acevedo, alias Margarita De La Cruz, de un cargo de conspiración para cometer fraude de servicios médicos. ATC, Duran y Valera también fueron acusados de 11 cargos de fraude de servicios médicos. ATC, Duran, Valera y Acevedo fueron acusados de un cargo de conspiración para defraudar a los Estados Unidos, para recibir comisiones ilícitas asociadas a servicios médicos y pagar comisiones ilícitas asociadas a servicios médicos. Los individuos fueron todos arrestados esta mañana en Miami y harán su comparecencia inicial en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito más tarde hoy. Agentes federales se encuentran ejecutando órdenes de allanamiento hoy en seis instalaciones de ATC y Medlink.
En una acción separada, se reveló hoy en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito en el Distrito Sur de Florida una demanda civil por agravio judicial y se obtuvo una orden de protección temporal para congelar los activos de Duran, Valera, Negrón, Acevedo, ATC y Medlink.
"Desde que la Fuerza de Ataque comenzó a operar, raramente hemos visto algo como la conducta ilegal objeto de esta acusación formal, tanto en términos de la naturaleza como del tamaño del ardid", dijo el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Lanny A. Breuer de la División Criminal. "La Fuerza de Tarea se compromete a encontrar y enjuiciar a personas y compañías que intenten engañar de esta manera al contribuyente estadounidense".
"El fraude alegado en este caso estaba debilitando un programa médico de Medicare que provee un beneficio importante para beneficiarios que necesiten servicios psiquiátricos ambulatorios", dijo el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Tony West de la División Civil. "La acción criminal y civil coordinada de hoy se ha movido de manera a asegurar que los recursos vitales dirigidos a los beneficiarios sean protegidos, que se eliminen el fraude y el abuso en este programa y, al mismo tiempo, que se les confisquen a los demandados sus ganancias mal obtenidas".
De acuerdo con los documentos del tribunal criminal y civil, se alega que los demandados participaron en un ardid para defraudar al programa Medicare al presentar reclamos falsos por servicios de salud mental administrados en instalaciones de ATC que eran médicamente innecesarios o nunca fueron provistos. ATC, con sede principal en Miami, operaba supuestos programas de hospitalización parcial (PHPs) en siete localidades de Florida, desde Homestead a Orlando. El PHP es una forma de tratamiento intensivo para la enfermedad mental.
El expediente judicial alega que Duran, Valera, Acevedo y ATC pagaron comisiones ilícitas a propietarios y operadores de instalaciones de vivienda asistida [assisted living facilities (ALFs)] y centros de reingreso social a cambio de que las ALFs y centros de reingreso social enviaran pacientes de sus instalaciones a ATC. De acuerdo con la acusación formal, en muchos casos, los pacientes recibían una parte de las comisiones ilícitas de los propietarios y operadores de las ALFs y centros de reingreso social. Se alega que ATC facturó a Medicare por servicios supuestamente provistos a estos pacientes reclutados. De acuerdo con la acusación formal, los servicios no eran médicamente necesarios o no fueron provistos en absoluto. De acuerdo con la demanda civil, como rutina, ATC admitía a pacientes al programa PHP que sufrían de Alzheimer y demencia grave y, por lo tanto, no eran elegibles para el programa PHP porque su capacidad mental no les permitía beneficiarse a través de la terapia de grupo.
El expediente judicial alega que las fichas y notas de los pacientes de las sesiones de terapia eran alteradas como rutina en ATC, a fin de que pareciera que los pacientes tratados en ATC reunían los requisitos para tratamientos PHP, cuando de hecho no era así. De acuerdo con la acusación formal, se alega que Duran y Valera instruyeron a empleados y médicos de ATC que alteraran diagnósticos y tipos y niveles de medicación para que pareciera que los pacientes reunían los requisitos para tratamientos PHP. El expediente judicial también alega que Valera manipulaba la duración de las estadías de los pacientes a fin de maximizar el número de días que Medicare pagaría por los servicios PHP.
La demanda civil y la orden de protección temporal también nombran a American Sleep Institute Inc. (ASI) y D&V Development Inc., como participantes en el fraude de servicios médicos. El expediente judicial alega que ASI era propiedad de Valera y Duran, quienes la administraban, y que ASI presentó reclamos falsos al programa Medicare por estudios del sueño. De acuerdo con la demanda civil, D&V Development pertenecía a Valera y Duran y era operada por los mismos y fue establecida con la finalidad de desviar fondos recibidos por ATC y ASI.
"El anuncio de hoy ejemplifica la cooperación entre las Divisiones Criminal y Civil del Departamento de Justicia, la Fiscalía Federal en el Sur de Florida, HHS-OIG y el FBI", dijo el Fiscal Federal Wifredo A. Ferrer. "A través de la Fuerza de Ataque HEAT, hemos reunido nuestros recursos y mejorado nuestros esfuerzos para combatir el más reciente tipo de fraude de servicios médicos: el fraude asociado a programas de salud mental comunitarios. Como demuestra este caso, contamos con los conocimientos, el compromiso y los recursos para acabar con estos ardides fraudulentos emergentes".
"Los centros de salud mental comunitarios de todo el país atienden a una población singularmente vulnerable", dijo Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos. "Quienes intenten defraudar este programa críticamente importante, como acusamos en este caso, deben prever tener que pagar un precio muy alto".
"Los arrestos y las órdenes de allanamiento de hoy avisan a cualquiera que se dedique a prácticas de fraude de servicios médicos de que no existen 'refugios seguros' para sus empresas en el Sur de Florida", dijo el Agente Especial a Cargo Interino William Maddalena. "El Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)] en Miami seguirá haciendo de este tipo de delito una alta prioridad".
Una acusación formal es una mera acusación y se supone que los demandados son inocentes hasta que se pruebe lo contrario.
Las acciones de hoy fueron anunciadas por el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Lanny A. Breuer de la División Criminal; el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Tony West de la División Civil; el Fiscal Federal Wifredo A. Ferrer del Distrito Sur de Florida; el Agente Especial a Cargo John V. Gillies de la Oficina Local de Miami del FBI; y Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General del HHS.
Están a cargo de la acusación en el caso los Abogados Litigantes Jennifer L. Saulino y Joseph S. Beemsterboer de la Sección de Fraude de la División Criminal, Vanessa I. Reed y Carolyn B. Tapie de la División Civil y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Ted L. Radway del Distrito Sur de Florida. El caso está siendo investigado por el Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)] y la Oficina del Inspector General del HHS. La demanda fue entablada como parte de la Fuerza de Ataque al Fraude contra Medicare, supervisada por la Sección de Fraude de la División Criminal y la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Florida.
Desde su creación en marzo de 2007, las operaciones de las Fuerzas de Ataque en siete distritos obtuvieron las acusaciones formales de más de 825 individuos que, en conjunto, facturaron de manera fraudulenta al programa Medicare aproximadamente $2 billones de dólares. Además, los Centros para Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid del HHS, trabajando en conjunto con la HHS-OIG, están tomando medidas para aumentar la responsabilización y reducir la presencia de proveedores fraudulentos.
Para obtener más información sobre el Equipo de Acción, Prevención y Control de Fraude de Servicios Médicos [Healthcare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT)], visite: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
California Company and Two Executives Indicted for Their Alleged Participation in Scheme to Bribe Officials at State-owned Electrical Utility in MexicoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lindsey Manufacturing Company, an Azusa, Calif., company and two of its executives were indicted today for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to pay bribes to Mexican government officials at the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), a state-owned utility company, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. for the Central District of California; Steven M. Martinez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office; and Leslie DeMarco , Special Agent-in-Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office.
Keith E. Lindsey, 65, of La Canada, Calif.; Steve K. Lee, 60, of Diamond Bar, Calif.; and Lindsey Manufacturing Company each were charged in an eight-count superseding indictment with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and FCPA violations. The superseding indictment also charges Enrique Faustino Aguilar Noriega, 56, and Angela Maria Gomez Aguilar, 55, both of Cuernavaca , Mexico , who were previously indicted on Sept. 15, 2010. Enrique Aguilar is charged with the conspiracy to violate the FCPA and FCPA violations. Enrique and Angela Aguilar each are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
According to the superseding indictment, CFE is responsible for supplying electricity in Mexico, and contracts with Mexican and foreign companies for goods and services to help supply electricity services to its customers. Enrique and Angela Aguilar were directors of Grupo Internacional de Asesores S.A. (Grupo), which purported to provide sales representation services for companies doing business with CFE.
According to the superseding indictment, Lindsey Manufacturing hired Grupo to serve as its sales representative in Mexico and to obtain contracts for it from CFE. Lindsey Manufacturing makes emergency restoration systems and other equipment used by electrical utility companies. According to the superseding indictment, many of Lindsey Manufacturing’s clients were foreign, state-owned utilities, including CFE, which was one of the company’s most significant customers. Grupo received a percentage of the revenue Lindsey Manufacturing realized from its contracts with CFE.
From approximately February 2002 until March 2009, Lindsey Manufacturing, Lindsey, Lee and Enrique Aguilar allegedly orchestrated a scheme in which Enrique Aguilar was paid a 30 percent commission on all the goods and services Lindsey Manufacturing sold to CFE, even though this was a significantly higher commission than previous sales representatives for the company had received. The superseding indictment alleges that Lindsey and Lee understood that all or part of the 30 percent commission would be used to pay bribes to Mexican officials in exchange for CFE awarding contracts to Lindsey Manufacturing Company. The costs of goods and services sold to CFE allegedly were increased by 30 percent to ensure that the added cost of paying Enrique Aguilar was absorbed by CFE and not Lindsey Manufacturing.
Enrique Aguilar allegedly caused fraudulent invoices to be submitted from Grupo to Lindsey Manufacturing for 30 percent of the contract price. According to the superseding indictment, Lindsey and Lee then caused the money requested in the fraudulent invoices to be wired into Grupo’s brokerage account, allegedly knowing that the invoices were fraudulent and the funds were being used as bribes.
Enrique and Angela Aguilar allegedly then laundered the money in the Grupo brokerage account to make concealed payments for the benefit of CFE officials. According to the indictment, Enrique and Angela Aguilar purchased a yacht for approximately $1.8 million named the Dream Seeker and a Ferrari for $297,500 for a CFE official. According to the indictment, Enrique and Angela Aguilar also paid more than $170,000 worth of American Express bills for a CFE official and sent approximately $600,000 to relatives of a CFE official.
Angela Aguilar was arrested on Aug. 10, 2010, on a criminal complaint when she travelled to Houston from Mexico. She was ordered detained and removed to the Central District of California, where she remains in custody.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FCPA conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000 or twice the value gained or lost. Each of the four FCPA counts carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of the greater of $100,000 or twice the value gained or lost. The conspiracy and substantive money laundering counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. The indictment also gives notice of criminal forfeiture.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Nicola J. Mrazek of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas M. Miller in the Central District of California. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and the IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office, with the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General. Significant assistance was provided by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The Department of Justice also thanks Mexican authorities for their ongoing assistance in this matter.
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Encouraging Violent Jihadists to Kill U.s. CitizensRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Zachary Adam Chesser, 20, of Fairfax County, Va., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Liam O’Grady to a three-count criminal information that included charges of communicating threats against the writers of the South Park television show, soliciting violent jihadists to desensitize law enforcement, and attempting to provide material support to Al-Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The guilty plea was announced by David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division; Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and John G. Perren, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office.
Chesser faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 25, 2011.
"The defendant attempted to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and used the Internet to incite violence. Thankfully, his commitment to violence was outmatched by the dedicated work of the agents, prosecutors and analysts who worked tirelessly to bring this man to justice," said Assistant Attorney General David Kris. "Today’s guilty plea is a direct result of the partnership and cooperation between the National Security Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI."
"Zachary Chesser seriously endangered the lives of innocent people who will remain at risk for many years to come," said U.S. Attorney MacBride. "His solicitation of extremists to murder U.S. citizens also caused people throughout the country to fear speaking out – even in jest – lest they also be labeled as enemies who deserved to be killed. In admitting his guilt today, Mr. Chesser reminded us of the serious threat homegrown jihadists pose to this country, and I express my gratitude and admiration for the FBI agents who apprehended Mr. Chesser before he could endanger even more Americans."
"The FBI’s number one priority is to combat terrorist attacks against the United States," said FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Perren. "Using broad-based communication channels to threaten, harm and intimidate and then incite others to do the same will not be tolerated. The FBI works to investigate persons who have acted on a radical philosophy and seek to harm to U.S. citizens."
According to court documents filed with his plea agreement, Chesser maintained several online profiles dedicated to extremist jihad propaganda. Today, Chesser pleaded guilty to taking repeated steps in April 2010 to encourage violent jihadists to attack the writers of South Park for their depiction of Muhammad, including highlighting their residence and urging online readers to "pay them a visit." Among the steps he took was posting on multiple occasions speeches by Anwar Al-Awlaki, which explained the Islamic justification for killing those who insult or defame Muhammad. Al-Awlaki was designated by the United States as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" on July 12, 2010.
Chesser also admitted that in May 2010, he posted to a jihadist website the personal contact information of individuals who had joined the "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day" group on Facebook, with the prompting that this is, "Just a place to start."
Chesser also pleaded guilty to soliciting others to desensitize law enforcement by placing suspicious-looking but innocent packages in public places. Chesser explained through a posting online that once law enforcement was desensitized, a real explosive could be used. Chesser ended the posting with the words, "Boom! No more kuffar." According to court documents, "kuffar" means unbeliever, or disbeliever.
According to court records, Chesser also admitted that from at least January 2010 through July 2010, he posted numerous messages online that included calls from Al-Awlaki to join violent jihadists and step-by-step actions individuals needed to take to leave for jihad. Among those postings included a video Chesser made that featured images of mujahedeen in Somalia and a song, sung by Chesser, with the translated title, "America We Are Coming."
Chesser admitted that he promoted online what he called "Open Source Jihad," where he would direct jihadists through his online forums to information on the Internet that they could use to elude capture and death while maintaining relevance and striking capability. This included linking to the entire security screening manual used by the Transportation Security Administration and hundreds of books that contained information on the construction of antiaircraft missiles, and tactics, techniques and weapons for targeting aircraft such as jet airplanes and helicopters.
In addition, Chesser pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to Al-Shabaab. On Feb. 29, 2008, the U.S. Department of State designated Al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist organization, describing it as a violent and brutal extremist group based in Somalia with a number of individuals affiliated with Al-Qaeda. This designation prohibits providing material support or resources to Al-Shabaab.
According to court records, Chesser admitted that he twice attempted to leave the United States and travel to Somalia for the purpose of joining Al-Shabaab and engage in violent jihad as a foreign fighter. The first attempt was in November 2009, which was postponed because his wife was unable to obtain her passport. The second attempt was on July 10, 2010, when he sought to board a flight from New York to Uganda with his infant son. He was prevented from boarding the plane, and Chesser admitted that he brought his son with him as part of his "cover" to avoid detection of his intention to join Al-Shabaab in Somalia. He also attempted to board the plane with a video camera, which he admitted in court that he intended to use to make production quality videos for al-Shabaab’s propaganda campaign.
Chesser also admitted today in court that he posted several online messages in support of Al-Shabaab, including videos of attacks by Al-Shabaab on a government building in Mogadishu, a video claiming that African Union troops are responsible for killing civilians in Somalia, a video supporting the merger of Al-Shabaab with another organization, and links to what Chesser described as the "Al Qaeda Manual" that included instructions in support of violent jihad.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon Kromberg and Thomas H. McQuillan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney John T. Gibbs of the Counterterrorism Section in the National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
United States Announces Approximately $773 Million Settlement with GM to Resolve Environmental LiabilitiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – T he United States, 14 states and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe have entered into a settlement agreement with Chapter 11 debtor Motors Liquidation Company (Old GM), formerly known as General Motors Corporation, to settle certain environmental liabilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and state environmental laws, the Justice Department announced today. A settlement agreement among the United States, the states and Old GM was filed in Manhattan bankruptcy court this morning, which the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is expected to join shortly.
The announcement was made by Gary G. Grindler, Acting Deputy Attorney General; Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, as co-chair of the White House Council on Auto Communities and Workers.
"This settlement holds accountable those responsible for contaminating certain properties and ensures they help transform these communities by supporting the necessary cleanup," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Grindler. "The agreement marks a new beginning by responsibly addressing hazardous waste contamination in impacted communities, and at the same time creates jobs to help clean up and return these sites to beneficial uses. It also shows how the federal government can work successfully in concert with states and tribes to resolve environmental legacy issues in their communities."
"We’re happy to have a path forward that addresses the needs of former auto communities. This trust − the largest environmental trust in our history − provides support for aggressive environmental cleanups at these sites, which will create jobs today and benefit the environment and human health over the long-term," said Administrator Jackson.
Under the terms of the agreement, Old GM will pay approximately $641.4 million and will contribute additional non-cash assets (with an estimated value of $120 million) for the cleanup and administration of 89 properties and sites, 59 of which are known to have been contaminated with hazardous substances or waste. In addition, Old GM has spent approximately $11.5 million towards the cleanup of the properties with known contamination during the pendency of the bankruptcy proceeding. The funding provided under the settlement agreement, along with the properties that are currently owned by Old GM and certain other non-cash assets, will be placed in an environmental response bankruptcy trust to fund the cleanup and administration of the properties and their return to beneficial use.
More than half of the cleanup funds to be paid to the environmental response trust will be provided for the environmental remediation of sites in New York and Michigan. In New York, the General Motors-Central Foundry Division Superfund Site – aka Massena – in Saint Lawrence County, will receive approximately $120.8 million in dedicated cleanup funds. The United States alleged in bankruptcy filings that Old GM operated an aluminum diecasting plant on the Massena property from 1959 to 2009, and that Old GM disposed of hazardous substances including polycholorinated biphenyls (also known as PCBs) at the property. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, whose lands are affected by the contamination emanating from the Massena property, is also a party to the settlement. In Michigan, which will have the largest number of properties in the trust, approximately $160 million is allocated to the cleanup of 36 properties containing hazardous wastes or other hazardous substances.
In June 2009, Old GM – then the second-largest automotive manufacturer in the world – and three wholly-owned subsidiaries filed Chapter 11 petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The same day it filed for bankruptcy, Old GM also filed a motion to sell substantially all of its assets to a newly formed corporation, now known as General Motors Company (New GM), which was approved by the bankruptcy court in July 2009. The 89 properties at issue in today’s settlement agreement were excluded from the sale of assets to New GM and continued to be owned and managed by Old GM.
In June and July 2009, in order to ensure, among other things, the orderly winding down of Old GM’s affairs in the bankruptcy proceeding, the Treasury Department and Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada’s export credit agency, collectively lent Old GM $1.175 billion. In October 2009, two additional wholly-owned subsidiaries of Old GM, which are a part of this settlement, filed their own Chapter 11 petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. These petitions are jointly administered with Old GM’s previously filed petitions by the bankruptcy court.
In October 2009 and April 2010, the United States filed proofs of claim against Old GM and its affiliated debtors to recover, among other things, past and future environmental cleanup costs for sites owned or operated by Old GM and its affiliated debtors, or where Old GM and its affiliated debtors had disposed of hazardous wastes. Similarly, several states filed proofs of claim against Old GM for environmental liabilities at properties and sites located across the country. This settlement addresses Old GM’s environmental liabilities under CERCLA, RCRA and state environmental laws at the 89 properties still owned by Old GM in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. Under the settlement, an environmental response bankruptcy trust will be established to take ownership and possession of the 89 properties and the funding provided to clean the properties up, administer them and return them to beneficial use.
Old GM will pay approximately $499 million of the funding provided by the Treasury Department and EDC to the environmental response trust for environmental cleanup at the properties. Of this amount, more than $431 million will be placed in site-specific accounts for each of the 59 properties known to have been contaminated with hazardous substances or waste, and approximately $68 million will be placed in a pooled account for environmental cleanup that may arise in the future at any of the 89 properties transferred to the trust on account of unforeseen conditions. In addition, Old GM will place at least $142 million of the funding provided by the Treasury Department and EDC and certain non-cash assets in the trust to cover the administrative costs of the trust and the return of the properties to beneficial use.
The number of properties and approximate funding specifically allocated by state are: 1) $11.7 million for a property in Delaware that has already been sold but for which the trust retains cleanup obligations; 2) $5.3 million for a property in Illinois; 3) $25 million for eight properties in Indiana; 4) $4.8 million for two properties in Kansas; 5) a property in Louisiana with no known cleanup costs; 6) $2.3 million for a property and associated site located in Massachusetts; 7) $159 million for 57 properties in Michigan; 8) $1.7 million for two properties in Missouri; 9) $24.7 million for two properties in New Jersey; 10) $154 million for four properties and an associated site located in New York; 11) $39.4 million for eight properties in Ohio; 12) $3.3 million for a property in Pennsylvania; 13) $26,000 for a property in Virginia; and 14) $211,000 for a property in Wisconsin. Additional financing for environmental remediation from the $68 million in unallocated cleanup funding will be available to all of 89 properties and sites placed in the trust upon meeting certain requirements.
Before being considered by the bankruptcy court for approval, the settlement agreement will be lodged with the bankruptcy court for a period of 30 days to provide public notice and to afford members of the public the opportunity to comment on the settlement.
This settlement affects only the specified 89 properties and sites. It does not affect the proofs of claim filed against Old GM by the United States and various states for sites other than the 89 properties and sites at issue. Nor does it affect the general unsecured claims held by the United States against Old GM for past costs and natural resource damages relating to the properties that are being placed in the trust.
Alan S. Tenenbaum and Patrick Casey of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, along with Southern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorneys David S. Jones, Natalie N. Kuehler, Joseph N. Cordaro and Jaimie L. Nawaday, are in charge of this case.
Un hombre de Nueva Jersey se declara culpable de amenazar a empleados de organizaciones Hispanas de derechos civilesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que Vincent Johnson de Brick, N.J., quien usaba el pseudónimo de "Devilfish" en el Internet, se declaró culpable en el tribunal federal en Trenton, N.J., de múltiples cargos asociados a una serie de comunicaciones amenazadoras que envió e empleados de cinco organizaciones de derechos civiles que trabajan en mejorar las oportunidades para, y luchar contra la discriminación de, Hispanos en los Estados Unidos.
Durante el proceso de declaración de culpabilidad y en los documentos presentados en el tribunal, Johnson admitió que de noviembre de 2006 a febrero de 2009, envió en repetidas oportunidades comunicaciones de correo electrónico amenazadoras a empleados del Fondo de Defensa Legal y Educación Puertorriqueño LatinoJustice; el Fondo de Defensa Legal y Educación Mexicano; el Consejo Nacional de la Raza; la Liga de Ciudadanos Latinoamericanos Unidos y la Coalición Nacional del Clero Latino y Líderes Cristianos.
Ejemplos de los mensajes amenazadores de Johnson incluyen: "¿Tienes un último deseo y testamento? Si no, es mejor que consigas uno pronto". "Te estoy dando una advertencia justa de que tu presencia y posición están siendo rastreadas... eres hombre muerto... junto con cualquier otra persona de tu organización", "Mi preferencia sería comprar más municiones para tratar del caos creciente creado por grupos pro-extranjeros ilegales. RIP [nombres de las víctimas] quienes no son amigos de nuestra democracia"; y "después de leer el artículo a continuación, ¿puede darme aunque sea una buena razón por la cual alguien no debería poner una bala entre sus ojos por sus acciones que están promoviendo la anarquía en este país?" Johnson admitió que la intención de sus amenazas era intimidar a las víctimas a fin de evitar que ayudaran a personas descendientes de Hispanos.
"No se tolerarán en este país amenazas de violencia alimentada por el odio debido al color de la piel de una persona, el idioma que habla o el país del que proviene", dijo Thomas E. Pérez, Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar para la División de Derechos Civiles. "La condena del demandado debe transmitir un claro mensaje a otros que serían capaces de cometer actos delictivos similares de que serán llevados ante la justicia y responderán por sus acciones".
"Johnson admitió que envió mensajes de correo electrónico amenazadores a personas y grupos debido a quiénes eran y lo que creían", dijo Paul Fishman, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey. "La violencia o amenazas de violencia con base en raza, religión, origen nacional, género u orientación sexual son una violación intolerable de nuestros derechos civiles más básicos. El ocultarse detrás del anonimato de una pantalla de computadora para realizar amenazas odiosas no los protegerá contra el enjuiciamiento".
"Uno no se puede ocultar detrás de la tecnología para amenazar a las personas", dijo Michael B. Ward, Agente Especial a Cargo de la División de Newark del FBI. "El FBI tiene un programa de derechos civiles muy activo y enérgico y tomamos muy en serio las amenazas contra las libertades civiles. El Sr. Johnson intentó intimidar a sus víctimas para hacerles sentir miedo de dedicarse a actividades protegidas por la Constitución de EE.UU. Cualquiera que sienta que ha sido victimizado de esta manera debe saber que el FBI está de su lado y que basta una llamada para comunicarse con nosotros".
Johnson se declaró culpable de cinco cargos de interferir en el ejercicio de los derechos civiles, cada uno de los cuales conlleva una sentencia máxima de 10 años en prisión y una multa de $250,000 dólares. Además, Johnson se ha declarado culpable de cinco cargos de transmitir una comunicación amenazadora en comercio interestatal, cada uno de los cuales conlleva una sentencia máxima de cinco años en prisión y una multa de $250,000 dólares.
La Juez de Distrito Anne E. Thompson programó la lectura de la sentencia de Johnson para el 26 de enero de 2011.
El caso fue investigado por las oficinas locales de Washington, DC, y Newark, NJ, del FBI. Están a cargo de la acusación en el caso el Abogado Litigante Benjamin J. Hawk de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Thomas Eicher de la Fiscalía Federal del Distrito de Nueva Jersey.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Employees of Latino Civil Rights OrganizationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Vincent Johnson of Brick, N.J., who went by the internet pseudonym "Devilfish," pleaded guilty in federal court in Trenton, N.J., to multiple charges related to a series of threatening communications he sent to employees of five civil rights organizations that work to improve opportunities for, and challenge discrimination against, Latinos in the United States.
During the plea proceedings, and in documents filed in court, Johnson admitted that from November 2006 to February 2009, he repeatedly sent threatening email communications to employees of the LatinoJustice Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund; the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; the National Council of La Raza; the League of United Latin American Citizens; and the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders.
Examples of Johnson’s threatening language include: "Do you have a last will and testament? If not, better get one real soon."; "I am giving you fair warning that your presence and position is being tracked...you are dead meat...along with anyone else in your organization."; "My preference would be to buy more ammunition to deal with the growing chaos created by the pro-illegal alien groups. RIP [names of the victims] who are not the friends of our democracy."; and "After reading the article below can you give me simply one good reason why someone should not put a bullet between your eyes for your actions that are promoting lawlessness in this country?" Johnson admitted that his threats were intended to intimidate the victims in order to prevent them from aiding persons of Latino descent.
"Threats of hate-fueled violence because of the color of someone’s skin, the language they speak or the country from which they come, will not be tolerated in this country," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The defendant’s conviction should send a clear message to others who would carry out similar criminal acts that they will be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions."
"Johnson admitted that he sent threatening emails to individuals and groups because of who they are and what they believe," said Paul Fishman, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. "Violence or threats of violence based on race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation are an intolerable violation of our most basic civil rights. Hiding behind the perceived anonymity of a computer screen to make hateful threats will provide no protection from prosecution."
"You can not hide behind technology to threaten people," said Michael B. Ward, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Newark Division. "The FBI has a very robust and active civil rights violations program and we take threats to civil liberties very seriously. Mr. Johnson attempted to intimidate his victims to make them fearful of engaging in activities protected by the U.S. Constitution. Anyone who feels they have been victimized in this way should know the FBI is on their side and we are only a phone call away."
Johnson pleaded guilty to five counts of interfering with the exercise of civil rights, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. In addition, Johnson pleaded guilty to five counts of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
District Court Judge Anne E. Thompson scheduled Johnson’s sentencing for Jan. 26, 2011.
The case was investigated by the Washington, D.C., and Newark, N.J., field offices of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Benjamin J. Hawk of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Eicher of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
Massachusetts Businessman Pleads Guilty to Multiple Frauds and Tax Evasion over More Than a DecadeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A former Pittsfield, Mass., man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a series of frauds and attempts to avoid paying taxes over more than a decade, as well as lying to federal authorities and financial institutions about his illegal activities.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz for the District of Massachusetts; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) - Boston Field Office; Theodore L. Doherty III, Special Agent in Charge of the New England Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office.
Michael J. Armitage, 56, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Ponsor to three counts of false statements to a federally insured financial institution; three counts of tax evasion; one count of false statements to a federal official; one count of conspiracy, one count of false claims; and one count of endeavoring to obstruct a federal audit.
According to information presented to the court, Armitage did not file a single personal federal income tax return between 1993 and 2006 in spite of receiving millions of dollars in income from sources such as Power Development Co. LLC (PDC), an energy company that Armitage founded and controlled. In addition, in 1999, Armitagewas required to repay more than $1 million to PDC for money that he had misappropriated, including approximately $340,000 in checks that he had written to himself but fraudulently mislabeled in PDC’s check register as payable to others. According to information presented at the plea hearing, from February 2001 to April 24, 2006, Armitage executed a scheme to defraud United Bank, located in West Springfield, Mass., in connection with three separate loans. Armitage used or submitted various false or fraudulent documents to perpetrate these fraud schemes, including a 2001 personal financial statement that omitted any debts owed to the IRS or to PDC and which claimed that his taxes were settled through 1999, and a 2001 personal federal income tax return that he signed and dated but never filed with the IRS.
In addition, between Aug 20, 2001, and Oct. 18, 2006, Armitage tried to avoid paying taxes that had been previously assessed for three separate years: 1995, 1996 and 1998. According to court documents, Armitage’s efforts to avoid paying taxes for these years included withholding material information from his tax representative; directing his tax representative to contact an IRS Revenue Officer and claim that delinquent returns would be filed, when he did not intend to provide the tax representative with the information to prepare the returns; making materially false statements to an IRS Revenue Officer; purposely withdrawing funds recently deposited in his bank account to maintain a low account balance; diverting payments due to himself to other accounts, including his wife’s bank account, the bank account of another company that he controlled, and an escrow account belonging to another person; and using funds froman account that he controlledto pay credit cards issued in his name, all to conceal income and avoid collection.
In another scheme, according to information presented to the court, from Nov. 30, 2004, through at least July 5, 2006, Armitage conspired with others to defraud the Federal Transportation Administration by submitting false, fraudulent and fictitious invoices for payment through the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority as part of a federal research grant into an electric bus and battery project. These invoices falsely claimed that the Federal Transportation Administration’s share of the project costs did not exceed the maximum 50 percent, as well as sought reimbursement for fictitious, inflated or ineligible expenses, and/or falsely claimed that certain milestone achievements warranted payment of claimed expenses. According to court documents, Armitage and others received $703,097 to which they were not entitled, and they used this money for their own benefit as well as the benefit of another company that Armitage and a co-conspirator founded in Canada. After the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General commenced an audit in 2006, Armitage repeatedly lied to and attempted to obstruct the auditors.
Judge Ponsor scheduled sentencing for Apr. 7, 2011. Armitage faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each count of false statements to a federally insured financial institution. He faces a maximum fine of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the remaining counts to which he pleaded guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of U.S. Attorney’s Springfield Branch Office, as well as Senior Litigation Counsel William M. Welch II and Trial Attorney Kevin Driscoll of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. The case is being investigated by IRS-CI, the DOT-OIG and the FBI, with assistance from the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
Hombre de Virginia se declara culpable de proveer apoyo a material a una organización terrorista extranjera e instar a jihadistas violentos a que mataran a ciudadanos estadounidensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Zachary Adam Chesser, 20, del Condado de Fairfax, Va., se declaró culpable hoy ante el Juez Federal de Distrito Liam O'Grady de una acusación criminal de tres cargos que incluía cargos de comunicación de amenazas contra escritores del programa de televisión South Park, solicitar a jihadistas violentos que insensibilizaran a las fuerzas del orden público, e intentar proveer apoyo material a Al-Shabaab, una organización terrorista extranjera designada.
La declaración de culpabilidad fue anunciada por David Kris, Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar de la División de Seguridad Nacional; Neil H. MacBride, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Este de Virginia; y John G. Perren, Director Auxiliar Interino a Cargo de la Oficina Local de Washington del Buró Federal de Investigaciones.
Chesser enfrenta una sentencia máxima de 30 años en prisión cuando sea sentenciado el 25 de febrero de 2011.
"El demandado intentó proveer apoyo material a una organización terrorista extranjera y utilizó el Internet para incitar a la violencia. Afortunadamente, su compromiso hacia la violencia fue superado por el trabajo dedicado de los agentes, fiscales y analistas que trabajaron sin descanso para el enjuiciamiento de este hombre", dijo el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar David Kris. "La declaración de culpabilidad de hoy es el resultado directo de la asociación y cooperación entre la División de Seguridad Nacional, la Fiscalía Federal y el FBI".
"Zachary Chesser puso en grave peligro las vidas de personas inocentes que seguirán en peligro por muchos años más", dijo el Fiscal Federal MacBride. "Su solicitud de que extremistas asesinaran a ciudadanos estadounidenses también hizo que personas de todo el país tuvieran miedo de hablar - inclusive en chiste - por miedo a ser catalogados como enemigos que merecían morir. Al admitir su culpa hoy, el Sr. Chesser nos recordó el grave peligro que los jihadistas nacionales representan para este país, y expreso mi gratitud y administración por los agentes del FBI que aprehendieron al Sr. Chesser antes de que pudiera poner a más ciudadanos estadounidenses en peligro.
"La principal prioridad del FBI es combatir ataques terroristas contra los Estados Unidos", dijo el Director Auxiliar Interino del FBI Charge Perren. "A través del uso de canales de comunicación de base amplia para amenazar, dañar e intimidar y luego incitar a otros a hacer lo mismo no será tolerado. El FBI trabaja en investigar a personas que hayan actuado basados en una filosofía radical y busquen perjudicar a ciudadanos estadounidenses".
De acuerdo con el expediente judicial presentado con este acuerdo de declaración de culpabilidad, Chesser mantenía varios perfiles en el Internet dedicados a la propaganda jihad extremista. Hoy, Chesser se declaró culpable de tomar pasos repetidos en abril de 2010 para alentar a jihadistas violentos a que atacaran a los escritores de South Park por su ilustración de Muhammad, incluidos destacando sus domicilios e instando a lectores en el Internet a que "los visitaran". Entre los pasos que tomó estuvo publicar, en múltiples ocasiones, discursos de Anwar Al-Awlaki, los cuales explicaban la justificación islámica por matar a quienes insulten o difamen a Muhammad. Al-Awlaki fue designado un "Terrorista Global Especialmente Designado" por los Estados Unidos, el 12 de julio de 2010.
Chesser también admitió que, en mayo de 2010, publicó en un portal del Internet jihadista la información de contacto personal de personas que se habían único al grupo "Día de dibujar a Muhammad" en Facebook, con la mención de que se trataba apenas "de un punto de inicio".
Chesser también se declaró culpable de solicitar a terceros que desensibilizaran a las fuerzas del orden público a través de la colocación de paquetes inocentes pero con aspecto sospechoso en lugares públicos. Chesser explicó en una publicación en el Internet que, una vez desensibilizadas las fuerzas del orden público, se podría utilizar un explosivo verdadero. Chesser encerró la publicación con las palabras, "¡Boom! No más kuffar". De acuerdo con el expediente judicial, "kuffar" significa no creedor o incrédulo.
De acuerdo con el expediente judicial, Chesser también admitió que, al menos, entre enero de 2010 y julio de 2010, publicó numerosos mensajes en el Internet que incluían llamadas de Al-Awlaki para unir a jihadistas violentos y acciones paso por paso que las personas necesitan llevar a cabo para el jihad. Estas publicaciones incluyeron un video hecho por Chesser con imágenes de mujahedeen en Somalia y una canción cantada por Chesser con el título traducido de "América, estamos llegando".
Chesser admitió que promovió en el Internet lo que llamo "Jihad de fuente abierta", donde dirigía a jihadistas a través de sus foros en línea a información en Internet que podrían utilizar para evitar la captura y la muerte sin dejar de mantener relevancia y capacidad significativa. Esto incluía enlaces al manual de filtración de seguridad entero utilizado por la Administración de Seguridad de Transportes y cientos de libros co información sobre la construcción de mísiles anti aeronave, y tácticas, técnicas y armas para atacar aeronaves tales como jets y helicópteros.
Además, Chesser se declaró culpable de intentar proveer apoyo material a Al-Shabaab. El 29 de febrero de 2008, el Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. designó a Al-Shabaab organización terrorista extranjera y la describió como un grupo extremista violento y brutal con sede en Somalia, con un número de individuos afiliados a Al-Qaeda. Esta designación prohíbe brindar apoyo material o recursos a Al-Shabaab.
De acuerdo con el expediente judicial, Chesser admitió que intentó dejar los Estados Unidos dos veces y viajar a Somalia para unirse a Al-Shabaab y dedicarse al jihad violento como combatiente extranjero. El primer intento fue en noviembre de 2009, viaje que se postergó porque su esposa no logró obtener su pasaporte. El segundo intento fue el 10 de julio de 2010, cuando buscó tomar un vuelo de Nueva York a Uganda con su bebé. No se le permitió subir a bordo del avión, y Chesser admitió que había llevado a su hijo como parte de su "encubierta" para evitar la detección de su intención de unirse a Al-Shabaab en Somalia. También intentó subir a bordo del avión con una cámara de video, admitiendo en el tribunal que intentaba utilizarla para crear videos de calidad de producción para la campaña propagandista de al-Shabaab.
Chesser también admitió hoy en el tribunal que publicó varios mensajes en el Internet en apoyo a Al-Shabaab, incluidos videos de ataques por Al-Shabaab contra un edificio gubernamental en Mogadishu, un video que alega que tropas de la Unión Africana son responsables por matar a civiles en Somalia, un video en apoyo a la fusión de Al-Shabaab con otra organización, y enlaces a lo que Chesser describió como siendo el "Manual de Al Qaeda" que incluía instrucciones en apoyo al jihad violento.
El caso está siendo investigado por la Oficina Local de Washington del Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)]. Están a cargo de la acusación en el caso los Fiscales Federales Gordon Kromberg y Thomas H. McQuillan de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Este de Virginia y el Abogado Litigante John T. Gibbs de la Sección de Contraterrorismo de la División de Seguridad Nacional.
California-based Mailing Firms to Pay $4.2 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations for Underpayment of PostageRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – California-based companies Quicksort Inc., Quicksort LA Inc. and Quicksort Sacramento Inc. have agreed to pay the United States $4.2 million to settle allegations that Quicksort violated the False Claims Act by falsely representing the level to which it had pre-sorted mailings in order to obtain discounted postage rates from the U.S. Postal Service, the Justice Department announced today.
The U.S. Postal Service offers lower postage rates to mailers who automate and sort their mail by zip code because these steps save the Postal Service time and money. Mailers use the services of businesses such as Quicksort that combine the mail of many customers and pre-sort it in order to qualify for the pre-sort discounts. After processing customers' mail, these pre-sort businesses present the mail to the Postal Service for mailing.
The settlement resolves allegations that the Quicksort companies misrepresented the pre-sort level of mail they submitted to the U.S. Postal Service at various times in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
"Making false claims to obtain discounted postage rates is dishonest, and such conduct interferes with the Postal Service’s effort to swiftly and accurately deliver the mail," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "We will hold businesses accountable for underpaying for postage and will ensure that taxpayer funds are protected from fraud and abuse."
"The Postal Service enters into mailing agreements with entities such as QuickSort to help ensure the US mail is collected, prepared, and delivered as cost effectively and efficiently as possible," said Benjamin B. Wagner, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California. "When a pre-sort business overstates the level of presorting it has performed, the Postal Service not only pays for services not rendered, but then also has to incur the costs of sorting the mail to its proper ZIP Code. The False Claims Act provides a powerful remedy when this activity occurs."
"The Postal Inspection Service investigates these types of cases to not only protect the Postal Service but also protect the mailing community from those who seek to gain an unfair competitive advantage," stated Postal Inspector-in-Charge Adam P. Behnen.
The settlement was reached by the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the matter.
Tuesday 19 October 2010
North Carolina Doctor Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rodney K. Justin, a medical doctor from Woodleaf, N.C., was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay over $600,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for obstructing the internal revenue laws and for failing to file tax returns for several years, the Justice Department and IRS announced today. The sentence was imposed by Chief Judge James A. Beaty Jr. in Winston-Salem, N.C.
In 2009, a federal jury convicted Justin of four felony counts of corruptly obstructing the administration of the internal revenue laws by sending fake financial instruments called "Bills of Exchange" to the Secretary of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., in purported payment of over $350,000 in taxes. The jury also convicted Justin of willful failure to file tax returns for the tax years 2001 through 2004.
According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, Justin had not filed a valid tax return since 1997. However, Justin earned in excess of $200,000 each year from 2001 through 2004. Justin sent letters and bogus returns to the IRS advancing false and frivolous tax defier claims purporting to set forth reasons why he was not required to pay taxes. The IRS repeatedly warned Justin that his positions were frivolous and advised him of his legal duty to file returns and pay taxes.
According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, from 1998 through early 2004, Justin was a client at Guiding Light of God Ministries, also known as American Rights Litigators (ARL), formerly of Mount Dora, Fla. The evidence showed that Justin purchased the four fictitious "Bills of Exchange" he submitted in purported payment of income taxes from ARL.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco of the Justice Department’s Tax Division commended the IRS special agents who investigated the case, as well as Assistant U.S.
Attorney Frank Chut of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina and Tax Division Trial Attorney Jeffrey McLellan, who prosecuted the case.
In August 2004, a federal district judge permanently enjoined ARL and two of its promoters from the sale of a nationwide tax scam. In April 2008, a federal court in Florida sentenced two promoters of ARL, as well as ARL client Wesley Snipes, to prison for tax offenses. In August of 2010, three promoters of ARL were sentenced in the District of Columbia to ten years’ imprisonment each along with ARL founder Eddie Ray Kahn, who received a twenty-year sentence.
More information about the Justice Department's Tax Division and its enforcement efforts is available at www.usdoj.gov/tax/ .
Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Attempting to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction to Bomb Skyscraper in Downtown DallasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Hosam Maher Husein Smadi was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn to 24 years in prison for his attempted bombing of a downtown Dallas skyscraper in September 2009, announced David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division; U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas; and Robert E. Casey Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Dallas Field Division. Smadi, 20, pleaded guilty on May 26, 2010, to one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
"The court’s sentence of Mr. Smadi sends a clear message that there is a serious price to be paid by those who may be willing to carry out acts of violence in this country to further the terrorist cause. I applaud the many agents, analysts and prosecutors responsible for this successful investigation and prosecution," said Assistant Attorney General Kris.
"I commend the FBI, the lawyers and support staff in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Counterterrorism Section at the Department of Justice for their excellent work in investigating and prosecuting this case. The security of the American people is the highest priority of the Department of Justice. Through the professionalism and hard work of many individuals, they were able to locate, identify and neutralize the threat presented by this individual. This case is an illustration of the diligence and hard work that is performed every day by men and women dedicated to the safety and security of this country," said U.S. Attorney Jacks.
"Today’s sentencing reflects our commitment to protect the community through the FBI’s counterterrorism strategy to detect, penetrate and disrupt acts of terrorism in the United States and to identify and fully investigate those individuals who choose to disregard the laws of this country and threaten the country’s security to advance a violent extremist ideology. Much effort and many resources, from not only the FBI but other law enforcement agencies, were expended in investigating, tracking and ultimately arresting Hosam Maher Husein Smadi while at all times ensuring the public’s safety," said Special Agent In Charge Robert E. Casey Jr.
According to documents filed, on Sept. 24, 2009, Smadi knowingly took possession of a truck that contained a weapon of mass destruction, specifically a destructive device or bomb. The truck with the bomb inside was a vehicle borne improvised explosive device. Smadi believed that this was an active weapon of mass destruction, and while it was inert when Smadi took possession of it, it was a readily-convertible weapon of mass destruction.
Also according to documents filed, Smadi knowingly drove the truck containing the bomb to Fountain Place, a 60-story public office building located at 1445 Ross Avenue in Dallas, and parked it in the public parking garage under the building. After parking the truck, Smadi activated a timer connected to the device, locked the truck and walked away. Smadi walked out of the parking garage, crossed the street and got into a car with an undercover law enforcement agent. They drove a safe distance away and prepared to watch the explosion. Smadi, who believed the bomb would explode and cause extensive damage, used a cell phone to remotely activate the device.
The case was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with members of the FBI-sponsored North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson and Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerri Sims prosecuted the case.
Justice Department Settles Allegations of Immigration-related Employment Discrimination Against Catholic Healthcare WestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) to resolve allegations that CHW engaged in a pattern or practice of citizenship status discrimination by imposing unnecessary and discriminatory hurdles to employment for work-authorized individuals. CHW is the eighth largest hospital provider in the nation, operating facilities in California, Nevada and Arizona.
According to the department’s findings, CHW required non-U.S. citizen and naturalized U.S. citizen new hires to present more work authorization documents than required by federal law, but permitted native born U.S. citizens to provide documents of their own choosing. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prohibits employers from imposing different or greater employment-eligibility verification (I-9) standards on the basis of a worker’s citizenship status.
Under the terms of the settlement, CHW has agreed to pay $257,000 in civil penalties –the largest amount of civil penalties ever paid to resolve such allegations – and $1,000 in back pay to the charging party. CHW has also agreed to review its past I-9 practices at all of its 41 facilities in order to identify and compensate any additional victims of over-documentation who have lost wages as a result, and to devise and implement policies and procedures for ensuring best practices with regard to hiring and employment eligibility verification. Further, CHW has agreed to train its recruitment personnel on their responsibilities not to discriminate and provide periodic reports to the department for three years.
"All workers who are authorized to work in the United States have the right to look for a job without encountering discrimination because of their immigration status or national origin," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "We are pleased to have reached a settlement with CHW and look forward to continuing to work with public and private employers to educate them about anti-discrimination protections and employer obligations under the law."
The Civil Rights Division’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA, which protects work authorized individuals against discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment or referral for a fee on the basis of citizenship status and national origin. The INA also protects all work-authorized individuals from discrimination in the employment-eligibility verification process and from retaliation.
For more information about protections against employment discrimination under the immigration laws, call 1-800-255-7688 (OSC’s worker hotline) (1-800-237-2525, TDD for hearing impaired), 1-800-255-8255 (OSC’s employer hotline) (1-800-362-2735, TDD for hearing impaired), or 202-616-5594; email [email protected] ; or visit OSC’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/osc.
Justice Department Obtains Comprehensive Agreement Regarding the State of Georgia’s Mental Health and Developmental Disability SystemRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced that it has entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement that will transform the state of Georgia’s mental health and developmental disability system and resolve a lawsuit the United States brought against the state. The lawsuit alleged unlawful segregation of individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities in the state’s psychiatric hospitals in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia will retain jurisdiction to enforce today’s settlement agreement, which supersedes a 2008 agreement between the state and the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning Georgia’s provision of community services for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities. In light of today’s agreement and the progress the state has made in complying with an earlier agreement regarding the conditions in the psychiatric hospitals, the United States has agreed to withdraw its motions to enforce that earlier agreement.
More than a decade ago, in Olmstead v. L.C., the Supreme Court found that one of Georgia’s state hospitals was impermissibly segregating two individuals with disabilities in that hospital when they could have been served in more integrated settings. The Supreme Court ordered states to serve individuals with disabilities in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.
"The Olmstead decision strongly affirmed that people with disabilities have a right to live and receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate for them as individuals," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "Under this agreement, the state of Georgia will provide services in the community to hundreds of people with developmental disabilities and thousands of people with mental illness. The promises of the ADA and Olmstead will finally become a reality for individuals in Georgia with mental illness and developmental disabilities."
"Georgia is the home of the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision," said Sally Quillian Yates, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. "With this agreement, the state begins to make good on Olmstead’s promise to end the inappropriate segregation of people with disabilities in state hospitals that set apart from the community."
"The expansion of community living opportunities is critical to protecting the civil rights of individuals with disabilities under Olmstead, said Georgina Verdugo, Director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS. "The specific requirements and timelines in this agreement will ensure that Georgians with mental illness and developmental disabilities have the services they need to live full lives in the community and achieve their goals."
The Justice Department began its investigation in 2007, and found that preventable deaths, suicides and assaults occurred with alarming frequency in the state hospitals. In January 2009, the department entered into a settlement agreement with the state of Georgia regarding conditions in the hospitals. Further investigation found that the state also failed to serve individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, in violation of the ADA and the Olmstead decision. In January 2010, the department filed a freestanding complaint under the ADA and a motion for immediate relief seeking to protect individuals confined in the hospitals from continued segregation and from threats of harm to their lives, health and safety. The department subsequently entered into extensive settlement negotiations with Georgia, the Office for Civil Rights and local mental health advocates.
The agreement signed today resolves the ADA lawsuit. The agreement expands community mental health services so that Georgia can serve individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to those individuals’ needs. Under today’s agreement, over the next five years, Georgia will increase its assertive community treatment, intensive case management, case management, supported housing and supported employment programs to serve 9,000 individuals with mental illness in community settings. The agreement will also increase community crisis services to respond to and serve individuals in a mental health crisis without admission to a state hospital, including crisis services centers, crisis stabilization programs, mobile crisis and crisis apartments; create at least 1,000 Medicaid waivers to transition all individuals with developmental disabilities from the state hospitals to community settings; and increase crisis, respite, family and housing support services to serve individuals with developmental disabilities in community settings.
The Civil Rights Division enforces the ADA which authorizes the attorney general to investigate whether a state is serving individuals in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs. Please visit www.justice.gov/crt to learn more about the Olmstead decision, the ADA and other laws enforced by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The agreements in this case protecting the rights of individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities in Georgia are due to the efforts of the following Special Litigation Section attorneys: Judy Preston, Acting Chief; Mary Bohan, Deputy Chief; Timothy Mygatt, Special Counsel; Robert Koch, Max Lapertosa, Richard Farano, Aaron Fleisher, Jeffrey Murray, Jennifer Mondino, David Deutsch, Emily Gunston, Samantha Trepel, and Amin Aminfar, Trial Attorneys. In addition, the division received support and assistance from Aileen Bell-Hughes and Mina Rhee, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia.
Hombre sentenciado a 24 años de prisión por intentar usar un arma de destrucción masiva para derribar un rascacielos en el centro de DallasRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Hosam Maher Husein Smadi fue sentenciado hoy por la Jueza Federal de Distrito Bàrbara M. G. Lynn a 24 años de prisión por su intento de activar una bomba para derribar un rascacielos del centro de Dallas en septiembre de 2009, anunciaron David Kris, Fiscal Federal Auxiliar de la División de Seguridad Nacional; el Fiscal Federal James T. Jacks del Distrito Norte de Texas; y Robert E. Casey Jr., Agente Especial a Cargo de la División Local de Dallas del Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)]. Smadi, 20, se declaró culpable el 26 de mayo de 2010 de un cargo de intento de uso de un arma de destrucción masiva.
"La sentencia del Sr. Smadi por parte del tribunal deja en claro que quienes puedan estar dispuestos a realizar actos de violencia en este país para promover la causa terrorista pagarán un precio muy alto. Felicito a los numerosos agentes, analistas y fiscales responsables de esta exitosa investigación y acusación", dijo el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Kris.
"Felicito al FBI, los abogados y el personal de apoyo de la Fiscalía Federal, y la Sección de Contraterrorismo del Departamento de Justicia por su excelente labor de investigación y acusación de este caso. La seguridad del pueblo estadounidense es la mayor prioridad del Departamento de Justicia. Gracias al profesionalismo y el arduo trabajo de muchas personas, pudieron ubicar, identificar y neutralizar la amenaza representada por este individuo. Este caso es un ejemplo de la diligencia y el arduo trabajo diario de hombres y mujeres dedicados a la seguridad de este país", dijo el Fiscal Federal Jacks.
"La sentencia de hoy refleja nuestro compromiso de proteger a la comunidad a través de la estrategia de contraterrorismo del FBI para detectar, penetrar y evitar actos de terrorismo en los Estados Unidos y para identificar e investigar exhaustivamente a las personas que elijen ignorar las leyes y amenazar la seguridad de este país para promover una ideología extremista violenta. No solo del FBI, sino también otras agencias de las fuerzas del orden público, hicieron un gran esfuerzo y emplearon muchos recursos para investigar, rastrear y arrestar a Hosam Maher Husein Smadi garantizando en todo momento la seguridad pública", dijo el Agente Especial a Cargo Robert E. Casey Jr.
Según documentos presentados el 24 de septiembre de 2009, Smadi tomó posesión de un camión que contenía un arma de destrucción masiva, específicamente un dispositivo destructivo o bomba, con total conciencia de la existencia del arma. El camión con la bomba en su interior era un dispositivo explosivo vehicular improvisado. Smadi creía que era un arma de destrucción masiva activa y, si bien estaba inerte cuando Smadi tomó posesión de la misma, era un arma de destrucción masiva fácil de convertir.
Además, según los documentos presentados, Smadi condujo a sabiendas el vehículo que contenía la bomba hasta Fountain Place, un edificio de oficinas públicas de 60 pisos ubicado en 1445 Rose Avenue en Dallas y lo estacionó en el garaje público debajo del edificio. Después de estacionar el camión, Smadi activó un temporizador conectado al dispositivo, trabó el camión y se alejó caminando. Smadi salió del estacionamiento, cruzó la calle y entró a un automóvil con un agente encubierto de las fuerzas de orden público. Se alejaron hasta una distancia segura y se prepararon para ver la explosión. Smadi, que creía que la bomba explotaría y provocará grandes daños, usó un celular para activar remotamente el dispositivo.
El caso fue investigado por el FBI junto con miembros de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta contra el Terrorismo del Norte de Texas, patrocinada por el FBI. Estuvieron a cargo de la acusación en el caso el Fiscal Federal Dayle Elieson y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Principal Adjunto Criminal Jerri Sims.
El Departamento de Justicia realiza acuerdo conciliatorio por alegatos de discriminación laboral asociada a la inmigración contra Catholic Healthcare WestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) para resolver alegatos de que CHW exhibió un patrón o práctica de discriminación al imponer dificultades innecesarias y discriminatorias para la obtención de empleos a personas autorizadas a trabajar. CHW es el octavo proveedor hospitalario del país, con establecimientos en California, Nevada y Arizona.
Según los hallazgos del Departamento, CHW exigía que los nuevos contratados que no eran ciudadanos estadounidenses o eran ciudadanos estadounidenses naturalizados presentaran más documentos de autorización para el empleo que los exigidos por las leyes federales, pero permitía que ciudadanos estadounidenses nacidos en el país presentaran documentos a su discreción. La Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad [Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)] prohíbe que los empleadores impongan estándares diferentes o mayores de verificación de elegibilidad para el empleo (I-9) basándose en el estado de ciudadanía del trabajador.
Bajo los términos del acuerdo conciliatorio, CHW ha aceptado pagar $257,000 dólares en multas criminales – el mayor monto de multas criminales pagado para resolver este tipo de alegatos – y $1,000 dólares en pagos retroactivos a la parte demandante. CHW también ha aceptado revisar sus prácticas I-9 pasadas en todas sus 41 instalaciones para identificar y compensar a cualquier otra víctima de la práctica de presentación de documentación innecesaria que haya perdido ingresos como resultado, y crear e implementar políticas y procedimientos para garantizar mejores prácticas respecto de la contratación y la verificación de elegibilidad laboral. Además, CHW ha aceptado capacitar a su personal de reclutamiento sobre sus responsabilidades de no discriminar y entregar informes periódicos al Departamento durante tres años.
"Todos los trabajadores autorizados a trabajar en los Estados Unidos tienen derecho a buscar trabajo sin sufrir discriminación por su estado inmigratorio u origen nacional", dijo Thomas E. Pérez, Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. "Nos complace haber llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con CHW y esperamos seguir trabajando con empleadores públicos y privados para educarlos sobre protecciones contra la discriminación y las obligaciones legales de los empleadores".
La Oficina de Asesoramiento Especial para Prácticas de Empleo Injustas Asociadas a la Inmigración [Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC)] de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer valer la disposición contra la discriminación de la INA, que protege a los ciudadanos autorizados a trabajar contra la discriminación en la contratación, el despido y el reclutamiento o referido a cambio del pago de una tarifa en base a su estado de ciudadanía o su origen nacional. La INA también protege a todas las personas autorizadas a trabajar contra la discriminación en el proceso de verificación de elegibilidad para el empleo y la toma de represalias.
Para obtener más información sobre protecciones contra la discriminación en el empleo bajo las leyes de inmigración, llame al (800) 255-7688 (línea directa para trabajadores de la OSC) (800) 237-2525, TDD para personas con problemas auditivos), (800) 255-8255 (línea directa para empleadores de la OSC) (800) 362-2735, TDD para personas con problemas auditivos), o al (202) 616-5594. Escriba un correo electrónico a [email protected] ; o visite el portal de la OSC en www.justice.gov/crt/osc.
Attorney General Holder and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announce Settlement Agreement with Native American Farmers Claiming Discrimination by USDARead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed against USDA by Native American farmers alleging discrimination by USDA. The settlement ends litigation concerning discrimination complaints from Native Americans generally covering the period 1981-1999.
"The settlement announced today will allow USDA and the Native American farmers involved in the lawsuit to move forward and focus on the future," said Attorney General Holder. "Under the process established in this agreement, Native American farmers who believe they suffered discrimination will have their claims heard. The Department of Justice is proud to partner with USDA in the agency’s effort to ensure fair and equitable treatment of its clients."
"Today’s settlement can never undo wrongs that Native Americans may have experienced in past decades, but combined with the actions we at USDA are taking to address such wrongs, the settlement will provide some measure of relief to those alleging discrimination," Secretary Vilsack said. "The Obama Administration is committed to closing the chapter on an unfortunate civil rights history at USDA and working to ensure our customers and employees are treated justly and equally."
Under the settlement agreement, $680 million will be made available to eligible class members to compensate them for their discrimination claims. Two payment "tracks" are available. Under the first track, persons who meet the class definition and provide substantial evidence of discrimination to an impartial adjudicator will receive a uniform settlement of up to $50,000. The second track is for those persons who meet the class definition and believe they have stronger evidence of economic losses caused by discrimination. This track requires a higher evidentiary standard and damage awards are capped at a maximum of up to $250,000 per individual. Actual monetary awards are subject to reduction based on the amount of available funding and the number of meritorious claims.
The judgment fund maintained by the Departments of Justice and Treasury will fund any monetary awards provided under the settlement. USDA will provide up to $20 million to administer the settlement.
In addition to the monetary award, the agreement provides up to $80 million in debt forgiveness to successful claimants with outstanding USDA Farm Loan program debt. Also, a moratorium on foreclosures of most claimants’ farms and a moratorium on accelerations and administrative offsets of class members’ farm loan accounts will be put into place until after claimants have gone through the claims process or the Secretary of Agriculture has been notified that a claim has been denied.
The settlement also provides a broad range of programmatic relief for Native American farmers, including creation of a new Federal Advisory Council for Native American farmers and ranchers that will include Native American representation from around the country as well as senior USDA officials. Meanwhile, a new ombudsman position will be created to address farm program issues relating to Native American farmers and ranchers as well as all other socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The department will also offer Native American farmers enhanced technical assistance services through the establishment of a network that provides intensive instruction to recipients concerning financial, business and market planning skills and supports the deployment of tribal agriculture advocates and third party outreach and education providers.
This lawsuit, Marilyn Keepseagle et al., v. Vilsack (Civil Action No. 99-3119 (D.D.C.)), was filed on Nov. 24, 1999. The settlement will not become final until it is formally approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Monday 18 October 2010
Justice Department Files Brief in Support of Continued Construction of Murfreesboro, Tenn., MosqueRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division today filed an amicus brief in support of a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that has met with community opposition and a lawsuit.
The brief was filed in a state court action in which a group of Murfreesboro landowners are attempting to stop construction of the mosque. Rutherford County, Tenn., is the defendant in the civil case, and had granted permission for the construction of the mosque. The county is opposing the landowners’ attempt to stop construction.
The department’s brief argues that Islam is a religion entitled to protection under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and points out that, “consistent among all three branches of government, the United States has recognized Islam as a major world religion.” It also argues that mosques are places of religious worship, and that Rutherford County properly determined that it must treat the mosque project as it would other proposals for construction of places of worship.
“A mosque is quite plainly a place of worship, and the county rightly recognized that it had an obligation to treat mosques the same as churches, synagogue, or any other religious assemblies. This is not only common sense; it is required by federal law. The Justice Department is committed to protecting rights of Americans of all faiths to build places of worship and to worship in peace,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
“Although this is presently a local matter, the U. S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee vigorously support the decision of the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners in approving the site plans and authorizing construction of a mosque and Islamic center,” said U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin. “To suggest that Islam is not a religion is quite simply ridiculous. Each branch of the federal government has independently recognized Islam as one of the major religions of the world. As pointed out in our brief filed with the court, had the Rutherford County Government adopted the position the plaintiffs set forth, it would likely be in violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2000.”
The department’s brief comes shortly after the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Religious Land Use or Institutionalized Persons act (RLUIPA) on Sept. 22, 2010. RLUIPA protects the rights of religious assemblies and institutions to be free from discrimination in the application of zoning and land-use laws. In the 10 years since its passage, RLUIPA has helped secure the ability of thousands of individuals and institutions to practice their faiths freely and without discrimination.
In the past 10 years, the department has opened 51 RLUIPA investigations, filed seven lawsuits under RLUIPA’s land-use provisions and participated in 40 privately filed lawsuits. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they have been victims of discrimination can call the Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, or e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected].
Justice Department Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) alleging that provisions of its agreements with hospitals raise hospital prices, prevent other insurers from entering the marketplace and discourage discounts. The department said that these agreements likely resulted in Michigan consumers paying higher prices for their healthcare services and health insurance.
The state of Michigan joined the department in its lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan.
The challenged provisions are known as most favored nation (MFN) clauses. In the healthcare context, MFN provisions generally refer to contractual clauses between health insurance plans (buyers) and healthcare providers (sellers) that essentially guarantee that no other plan can obtain a better rate than the plan wielding the MFN. Some of the MFNs in this case guarantee the plan an even better rate than given to any other plan or purchaser.
The department alleges in its complaint that BCBSM’s MFN clauses in its contracts with hospitals have caused hospitals to increase their prices to BCBSM’s competitors and insulated BCBSM from competition. According to the complaint, BCBSM has used MFNs or similar clauses in its contracts with at least 70 of Michigan’s 131 general acute care hospitals, including many major hospitals in the state.
"The department’s lawsuit alleges that the intent and effect of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s MFNs is to raise hospital costs for competing health plans and reduce competition for the sale of health insurance. As a result, consumers in Michigan are paying more for their healthcare services and health insurance,"said Christine Varney, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. "American consumers deserve affordable healthcare at competitive prices, and the Antitrust Division will vigorously pursue anticompetitive actions that stand in the way of achieving that goal."
The department said that the MFNs require a hospital either to charge BCBSM no more than it charges BCBSM’s competitors, or to charge the competitors a specified percentage more than it charges BCBSM, in some cases between 30 and 40 percent. The complaint alleges that BCBSM’s use of MFN provisions has reduced competition in the sale of health insurance in Michigan by raising hospital costs to BCBSM’s competitors, which discourages other health insurers from entering into or expanding within markets throughout Michigan. The complaint further alleges that BCBSM agreed to raise the prices that it pays certain hospitals to obtain the MFNs, thus buying protection from competition by increasing its own costs.
BCBSM is a Michigan nonprofit healthcare corporation headquartered in Southfield, Mich. It is the largest provider of commercial health insurance in Michigan, with revenues of more than $10 billion in 2009. BCBSM insures more than nine times as many Michigan residents as its next largest commercial health insurance competitor, covering more than 60 percent of Michigan’s three million commercially insured residents.
The court will determine a pretrial schedule for the case once BCBSM files its response to the government’s lawsuit.
Colorado Couple Sentenced for Illegal Trapping and Sale of BobcatsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Colorado couple has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Denver on charges related to the illegal trapping and interstate sale of bobcats, the Justice Department announced today.
Jeffrey M. Bodnar, 37, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release during which time he will be prohibited from hunting, trapping or fishing. Mr. Bodnar pleaded guilty on June 1, 2010, to one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Veronica Anderson-Bodnar, 46, was sentenced to five years of probation during which time she will be prohibited from possessing firearms and also prohibited from hunting, trapping or fishing. Ms. Anderson-Bodnar pleaded guilty on June 1, 2010, to one misdemeanor count of Lacey Act trafficking and one misdemeanor count of making false statements in violation of the Lacey Act.
"The Lacey Act has been in place for over 100 years to prevent the kind of interstate trafficking of wildlife and wildlife parts in which these defendants engaged for profit," said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. "This case is an excellent example of how state and federal wildlife agencies work together to protect our nation’s natural treasures from commercial plunder. The Justice Department is determined to assist in that effort by prosecuting violators to the full extent of the law."
"Prosecutions under the Lacey Act are essential to protect wildlife from illegal trapping and trafficking of wildlife pelts," said District of Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh.
The Lacey Act is a federal law that makes it illegal to transport or sell in interstate commerce any wildlife taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of state law or regulation. Bobcats, whether alive or dead, and including their pelts and other parts, are considered wildlife under the Lacey Act. Colorado law limits bobcat trapping to a specified season, requires that trappers obtain licenses and generally prohibits the trapping of bobcats with leghold traps.
In his guilty plea earlier this year, Jeffrey Bodnar admitted to conspiring with his wife, Veronica Anderson-Bodnar, to unlawfully trap and kill bobcats without a license and using prohibited leghold traps, and to sell the bobcat pelts to fur buyers in Montana and Kansas. He also admitted to conspiring with his wife to submit false records to the Colorado Division of Wildlife in order to obtain tags for the pelts. With regard to the firearms charge, Bodnar admitted to possessing a firearm after his conviction on a state felony charge in 2000.
In separate court documents related to her own guilty plea, Veronica Anderson-Bodnar admitted earlier this year to selling bobcat pelts to a buyer from Kansas in March 2008, when she should have known that the bobcats were trapped without a license and using prohibited leghold traps. She also admitted to making and submitting false records to the Colorado Division of Wildlife in order to obtain tags for the pelts.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.
Friday 15 October 2010
U.S. Embassy Employee in Iraq Charged with Theft of Public Funds and Conflict of InterestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A foreign national employed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was charged today with theft of public money and acts affecting a personal financial interest in connection with $237,236 in U.S. Government funds, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride of the Eastern District of Virginia and Acting Assistant Director in Charge John G. Perren of the FBI Washington Field Office.
An indictment returned today by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia charges Osama Esam Saleem Ayesh, 36, with two counts of theft of public money and one count of acts affecting a personal financial interest, commonly known as a conflict of interest charge. Ayesh was arrested on Aug. 16, 2010, based on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of conflict of interest.
According to the indictment, Ayesh held the position of shipping and customs supervisor at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Ayesh was responsible for preparing the necessary documents and logistical support for customs clearance and delivery of shipments coming into Iraq for the embassy and embassy officials and personnel. While Ayesh worked at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, his primary residence was in Amman, Jordan.
The indictment alleges that, between November 2008 and June 2010, Ayesh fraudulently caused $237,236 in U.S. Government funds, intended for the payment of services provided to the U.S. Embassy pursuant to two Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), to be sent to a bank account in Jordan that he controlled. The indictment further alleges that, between September 2008 and June 2010, Ayesh participated in the creation and operation of BPAs executed by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, in which Ayesh knew that he and his wife had a financial interest. The indictment alleges that Ayesh also knew that he and his wife had a financial interest in the instigation of U.S. electronic funds transfers to pay for services rendered under those BPAs.
The theft of public funds counts each carry a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The conflict of interest charge carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney David H. Laufman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, on detail from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas H. McQuillan for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance. The case is being investigated by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of State and the FBI, Washington Field Office, as part of the International Contract Corruption Task Force. The ICCTF is a joint law enforcement agency task force that seeks to detect, investigate, and dismantle corruption and contract fraud resulting from U.S. Overseas Contingency Operations worldwide, including in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Otros 7 residentes del área de Houston acusados por ardid de fraude de servicios médicos de $5 millones de dólaresRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Otros siete residentes del área de Houston que supuestamente se desempeñaron como reclutadores de pacientes y un enfermero han sido acusados por su supuesta participación en un ardid de fraude de servicios médicos a domicilio, anunciaron hoy los Departamentos de Justicia y Salud y Servicios Humanos [Health and Human Services (HHS)]. Las primeras apariciones de los demandados estaban programadas para ayer y hoy en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito en Houston ante el Juez Magistrado Stephen Wm. Smith.
Una acusación formal revelada presentada el 7 de octubre de 2010 y emitida hoy en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito acusa a Clifford Ubani, 52; Ezinne Ubani, 45; Princewill Njoku, 51; Caroline Njoku, 45; Mary Ellis, 54; Michelle Turner, 42; Cynthia Garza-Williams, 49; Adelma Casas Sevilla, 44; y Sammie Wilson, 69, de conspirar para cometer fraude de servicios médicos. Florida Holiday Island, 50; Margaret Pleasant, 45; Estella Joseph, 61; Terrie Porter, 47; y Erica Walker, 30, están acusadas de conspirar para pagar o recibir comisiones ilícitas junto con Clifford Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Caroline Njoku, Ellis, Turner y Garza-Williams. Estos demandados también están acusados de cargos individuales relacionados con pagar y recibir comisiones ilícitas. Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku y Ellis también están acusados de realizar declaraciones falsas al presentar reclamos al programa Medicare. Clifford Ubani, Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Caroline Njoku, Ellis, Turner y Garza-Williams fueron acusados en la acusación formal original presentada el 21 de junio de 2010.
Según la acusación formal revelada, Clifford Ubani, Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku y Caroline Njoku eran propietarios y operadores de Family Healthcare Services. La acusación formal revelada alega que estos propietarios y operadores presentaron reclamos falsos y fraudulentos al programa Medicare por supuestamente brindar servicios médicos a domicilio que no eran médicamente necesarios y/o no se brindaron. Según la acusación formal revelada, el programa Medicare pagó a Family Healthcare Services alrededor de $5 millones de dólares basándose en los reclamos falsos y fraudulentos.
Se alega que Caroline Njoku, Ellis, Turner, Garza-Williams, Wilson, Island, Pleasant, Joseph, Porter y Walker reclutaron a beneficiarios de Medicare para que brindaran servicios calificados de enfermería en Family Healthcare Services y se alega que a cambio recibieron comisiones ilícitas de Clifford Ubani, Princewill Njoku y terceros por los referidos. Según la acusación formal revelada, Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Ellis, Garza-Williams y Sevilla supuestamente falsificaron o ayudaron a falsificar expedientes de pacientes para que pareciera que los beneficiarios de Medicare calificaban para los servicios médicos a domicilio y los habían recibido, cuando en realidad esos servicios no eran médicamente necesarios y/o no habían sido brindados.
La sentencia máxima por cometer fraude de servicios médicos es de 10 años de prisión. La sentencia máxima por conspirar para pagar o recibir comisiones ilícitas, cada cargo individual de pagar y/o recibir comisiones ilícitas y realizar declaraciones falsas al determinar el derecho a beneficios y pago por parte de Medicare es de cinco años de prisión. La acusación formal revelada solicita la confiscación de bienes de los demandados.
Una acusación formal es una mera acusación y se supone que los demandados son inocentes hasta que se pruebe lo contrario.
Los cargos de hoy fueron anunciados por el Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar Lanny A. Breuer de la División Criminal; el Fiscal Federal José Ángel Moreno del Distrito Sur de Texas; Richard C. Powers, Agente Especial a Cargo de la oficina de Houston del Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)]; el Agente Especial a Cargo Mike Fields de la Oficina de Investigaciones de la Oficina Regional de Dallas de la Oficina del Inspector General del HHS [HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG)]; y la Unidad de Control de Fraude contra Medicare [Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU)] de la Oficina del Secretario de Justicia de Texas.
Están a cargo de la acusación en el caso los Abogados Litigantes Charles D. Reed y Sam S. Sheldon de la Sección de Fraude de la División Criminal. Este caso fue investigado por el FBI, la HHS-OIG y la MFCU, y fue entablado como parte de la Fuerza de Ataque al Fraude contra Medicare, supervisada por la Sección de Fraude de la División Criminal y la Fiscalía Federal del Distrito Sur de Texas.
Desde su creación en marzo de 2007, las operaciones de la Fuerza de Ataque al Fraude contra Medicare en siete distritos obtuvieron las acusaciones formales de más de 810 personas que, en conjunto, facturaron fraudulentamente al programa Medicare más de $1.85 billones de dólares. Además, los Centros para Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid del HHS, en trabajo conjunto con la HHS-OIG, están tomando medidas para lograr una mayor responsabilización y una menor presencia de proveedores fraudulentos.
Para obtener más información sobre el Equipo de Acción, Prevención y Control de Fraude de Servicios Médicos [Healthcare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT)], visite: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
Justice Department Reached Agreements to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters from New York, Kansas and MississippiRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced that it has reached agreements with New York, Kansas and Mississippi officials to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. The agreements were necessary to ensure compliance with the 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE Act).
“The MOVE Act provides critical protections to ensure that members of the uniformed services, their families and other citizens living overseas are able to exercise their right to vote and know their votes will be counted. The Justice Department is committed to vigorously enforcing the MOVE Act to protect the rights of all Americans to vote in the upcoming elections,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “I am pleased that officials in these states have worked with the Department to reach these agreements, which will ensure military and overseas voters will have their votes counted.”
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires states to allow uniformed service voters (serving both overseas and within the United States) and their families and overseas citizens to register to vote and to vote absentee for all elections for federal office. In 2009, Congress enacted the MOVE Act, which made broad amendments to UOCAVA. Among those changes was a requirement that states transmit absentee ballots to voters covered under UOCAVA, by mail or electronically at the voter’s option, no later than 45 days before federal elections. The 45th day before the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election fell on Sept.18, 2010.
Pursuant to UOCAVA, the State of New York sought a waiver from the Department of Defense of the requirement to transmit ballots by the 45th day before the Nov. 2 federal general election on grounds that New York’s Sept. 14, 2010, primary election prohibited the State from complying with the requirement. The State’s waiver application included a comprehensive plan that outlined the steps the State would take to ensure that UOCAVA voters had time to receive, mark, and submit their ballots in time to have the ballot counted. New York’s comprehensive plan relied on two key provisions that together created a 45-day period for UOCAVA voters to receive, mark, and submit their ballots: (1) the transmission of absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters on Oct. 1, 2010, 32 days before the Nov. 2, 2010, Federal general election, and (2) the deadline of Nov. 15, 2010, 13 days after the election, for receipt of ballots from UOCAVA voters postmarked by Nov. 1, 2010. On Aug. 27, 2010, pursuant to its statutory authority, and based on the comprehensive plan set forth in New York’s waiver application, the Department of Defense granted the State’s request for a hardship exemption. In its determination letter, the Department of Defense noted the waiver was based “on an understanding that the State of New York will transmit absentee ballots for the November 2, 2010 Federal general election to UOCAVA voters no later than October 1, 2010.” Despite the Oct. 1, 2010 deadline outlined in the comprehensive plan set forth in New York’s waiver application, election officials in New York State nonetheless failed to transmit absentee ballots for the Federal general election to UOCAVA voters by that date in at least thirteen New York counties. These thirteen counties include the five counties in New York City (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx and Richmond Counties) and eight other counties around the State (Erie, Niagara, Putnam, Westchester, Onondaga, Albany, Nassau, and Wayne Counties).
On Oct. 12, 2010, the department filed suit against the State of New York and the New York State Board of Elections, and today the department, the State and the State Board of Elections signed a consent decree that they have submitted to the federal court in Albany for its approval. The consent decree provides for a statewide extension of the ballot receipt deadline for UOCAVA voters until Nov. 24, 2010, for ballots executed and postmarked by Nov. 1, 2010. The consent decree provides that election officials shall make efforts to notify UOCAVA voters of the agreement and of the option to receive ballots electronically through the state’s online ballot delivery wizard. The decree also provides for the state to file reports on the number of UOCAVA ballots sent, received and counted and on efforts by the state to adopt measures to ensure that these UOCAVA violations do not recur in future federal elections.
Kansas state officials informed the department that seven of its counties failed to send ballots by the Sept. 18, 2010, deadline: Marshall, Finney, Jackson, Hamilton, Wabaunsee Ellis and Stevens Counties. Under the agreement, the state will take actions to ensure that counties provide at least 45 days for the transmission, execution and return of ballots to all qualified UOCAVA voters who requested absentee ballots on or before Sept. 18, 2010, and will extend the receipt deadlines in those counties as commensurate with the delay in each of those counties in sending ballots. In addition, Kansas officials will notify UOCAVA voters about the agreement, explaining the extended deadline and providing appropriate contact information for voters needing assistance. The state will also file a report with the court concerning the number of UOCAVA ballots received and counted, and will take actions to ensure compliance with the law in future elections.
Following inquiries from the department, Mississippi state officials reported that the ballots for UOCAVA voters from 22 counties who had requested ballots on or before Sept. 18, 2010, were not sent at least 45 days before the federal general election: Adams, Alcorn, Attala, Clay, Coahoma, Covington, Forrest, Hinds, Jasper, Jones, Lafayette, Lamar, Montgomery, Neshoba, Perry, Pontotoc, Tishomingo, Union, Warren, Washington, Webster, and Yazoo. Under the agreement, Mississippi will extend the deadline for the receipt of ballots from military and overseas voters -- ballots from eligible voters who requested ballots by Sept. 18, 2010, that are executed and sent by Nov. 2, 2010, and received by 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2010, will be counted. Mississippi also will notify voters of the extension, provide a post-election report, and take steps to ensure compliance with the law in future elections.
The department previously reached agreements with Alaska, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada, North Dakota, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and filed lawsuits against New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and Guam seeking relief to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in the upcoming election. More information about UOCAVA and other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice website at www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/misc/activ_uoc.htm. Complaints may be reported to the Voting Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931.
7 More Houston-area Residents Charged in $5 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Seven additional Houston-area residents who allegedly served as patient recruiters and a nurse have been charged for their alleged participation in a $5 million Medicare home healthcare fraud scheme, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today. The defendants were scheduled to make their initial appearances yesterday and today in U.S. District Court in Houston before Magistrate Judge Stephen Wm. Smith.
A superseding indictment filed Oct. 7, 2010, and unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Houston charges Clifford Ubani, 52; Ezinne Ubani, 45; Princewill Njoku, 51; Caroline Njoku, 45; Mary Ellis, 54; Michelle Turner, 42; Cynthia Garza-Williams, 49; Adelma Casas Sevilla, 44; and Sammie Wilson, 69, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Florida Holiday Island, 50; Margaret Pleasant, 45; Estella Joseph, 61; Terrie Porter, 47; and Erica Walker, 30, are charged with conspiracy to pay or receive kickbacks, along with Clifford Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Caroline Njoku, Ellis, Turner and Garza-Williams. These defendants are also charged with individual counts relating to the payment and receipt of kickbacks. Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku and Ellis are also charged with making false statements in the submission of claims to the Medicare program. Clifford Ubani, Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Caroline Njoku, Ellis, Turner and Garza-Williams, were charged in the original indictment filed on June 21, 2010.
According to the superseding indictment, Clifford Ubani, Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku and Caroline Njoku were the owners and operators of Family Healthcare Services. The superseding indictment alleges that these owners and operators submitted false and fraudulent claims to the Medicare program for purportedly providing home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or not rendered. According to the superseding indictment, the Medicare program paid Family Healthcare Services approximately $5 million based on the false and fraudulent claims.
Caroline Njoku, Ellis, Turner, Garza-Williams, Wilson, Island, Pleasant, Joseph, Porter and Walker allegedly recruited Medicare beneficiaries to be placed at Family Healthcare Services for skilled nursing services, and in return allegedly were paid kickbacks by Clifford Ubani, Princewill Njoku and others for the referrals. According to the superseding indictment, Ezinne Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Ellis, Garza-Williams and Sevilla allegedly falsified or helped falsify patient files to make it appear that Medicare beneficiaries qualified for and received home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or not provided.
The maximum sentence for committing health care fraud is 10 years in prison. The maximum sentence for conspiracy to pay or receive kickbacks, each individual count of paying and/or receiving kickbacks, and making false statements in determining rights for benefit and payment by Medicare is five years in prison. The superseding indictment seeks forfeiture of assets held by the defendants.
An indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Today’s charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno of the Southern District of Texas; Special Agent-in-Charge Richard C. Powers of the FBI’s Houston field office; Special Agent-in-Charge Mike Fields of the Dallas Regional Office of HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations; and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Charles D. Reed and Sam S. Sheldon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG and MFCU, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than
810 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $1.85 billion . In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov .
Thursday 14 October 2010
U.S. Files PCB Cleanup Lawsuit Against 12 Polluters of Wisconsin’s Fox RiverRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced the filing of a major lawsuit today against 10 companies and two municipalities to require continued environmental cleanup work at Wisconsin’s Lower Fox River and Green Bay Site. The lawsuit also seeks payment of associated government costs and natural resource damages. The total cleanup costs and damages for the Green Bay Site are expected to exceed $1 billion. The Superfund lawsuit, brought jointly by the United States and the State of Wisconsin, targets risks to humans and wildlife posed by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in bottom sediment, banks, and shoreline areas of the Fox River and Green Bay.
In addition to the complaint, the United States and the state of Wisconsin filed a proposed settlement with one of the newly-named defendants, Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP. In the proposed settlement, Georgia-Pacific would agree that it is liable, along with other defendants, for performance of all required cleanup work downstream from a line across the Fox River slightly upstream of its paper mill in the city of Green Bay. The company also would pay $7 million to reimburse a portion of the government’s unpaid past and future costs. The proposed settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period.
The lawsuit will proceed against 11 other non-settling defendants, including: NCR Corporation; Appleton Papers Inc.; CBC Coating Inc. (formerly known as Riverside Paper Corp.); City of Appleton; Kimberly-Clark Corp.; Menasha Corp.; Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission; NewPage Wisconsin Systems Inc.; P.H. Glatfelter Co.; U.S. Paper Mills Corp.; and WTM I Co. (formerly known as Wisconsin Tissue Mills Inc.).
A large amount of cleanup and natural resource restoration work has already been done in the area under a set of partial settlements and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrative order. The parties performing the ongoing cleanup work under that order have protested, and they have not agreed to take full responsibility for completing the cleanup or paying all damages for injuries to natural resources, according to the Justice Department.
The complaint by the United States seeks a court order requiring the responsible parties to continue funding and performing the PCB cleanup without delay. It also seeks monetary damages for decades of PCB-related injuries to fish and birds and for lost recreational opportunities. By law, any damages recovery will be used to restore or replace the injured natural resources or acquire equivalent resources.
The defendants in the government’s lawsuit include paper companies that contaminated sediment in the Fox River and Green Bay when they made and recycled a particular type of PCB-containing “carbonless” copy paper. NCR Corporation and its affiliates produced that paper with PCBs from the mid-1950s until 1971. The suit also names two municipal sewer system operators that discharged relatively large amounts of PCBs to the Fox River. In 2009, the United States and Wisconsin reached pre-litigation settlements with several other local sewer system operators and a number of companies that made relatively minor contributions to the PCB contamination at the site.
The cleanup remedy at the site was jointly-selected by the EPA and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The remedy will remove much of the PCB-containing sediment from the Fox River by dredging. In other portions of the river, contaminated sediment will be contained in place with specially-engineered caps. The dredging and capping will reduce PCB exposure and greatly diminish downstream migration of PCBs to Green Bay. More than $300 million in cleanup work has already been done at the site. The remaining dredging and capping work could cost an estimated $550 million more.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state and tribal trustees for natural resources in the area also have prepared a related natural resource damage assessment under the Superfund law. According to that assessment, the additional cost of required natural resource restoration work may approach another $400 million.
Copies of the complaint and the consent decree with Georgia-Pacific are available on the Department of Justice’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html
For more information on cleanup and natural resource restoration activities at the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Superfund site, go to:
The Environmental Protection Agency’s website: www.epa.gov/region5/sites/foxriver/
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website: www.fws.gov/midwest/FoxRiverNRDA/
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ website: dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/foxriver/
Two Shenandoah, Pa., Men Convicted of Hate Crime in the Fatal Beating of Luis RamirezRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - A federal jury in Scranton, Pa., has convicted Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak, both of Shenandoah, Pa., of a hate crime arising out of the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez. The jury found the defendants guilty of violating the criminal component of the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it a crime to use a person’s race, national origin or ethnicity as a basis to interfere, with violence or threats of violence, with a person’s right to live where he chooses to live. In addition, the jury found that Donchak conspired to, and did in fact, obstruct justice.
During the trial, the jury heard evidence from multiple eyewitnesses that the defendants, aided and abetted each other and some of their friends in fatally beating Luis Ramirez because he was Latino and because they did not want Latinos living in Shenandoah.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on July 12, 2008, the defendants came upon Ramirez in a park after leaving a community festival. The defendants and several of their friends, some of whom testified during the trial, attacked Ramirez. During the course of the beating, the defendants and their friends yelled racial epithets in which they repeatedly called Ramirez a racial derogatory term and told him "This is Shenandoah. This is America. Go back to Mexico." According to testimony, Donchak beat Ramirez while holding a thick piece of metal identified at trial as a "fist pack." Piekarsky kicked Ramirez in the head as he lay prone on the ground. After Piekarsky kicked Ramirez, he told a bystander who was married to a Latino man to "tell your Mexican friends to get out of Shenandoah or you will be lying next to him." After the fight concluded, Ramirez was taken to Geisinger Regional Medical Center, where he died of massive head injuries. The jury also heard evidence that, immediately following the beating, Donchak conspired with some of his friends, some of their parents, and members of the Shenandoah Police Department to obstruct the investigation of the fatal assault.
"Hate crimes of this nature have no place in this country, and today’s verdict demonstrates that violence committed because of a victim’s race, national origin, or ethnicity will not be tolerated," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. "As this case illustrates, the Civil Rights Division will vigorously enforce the right of every person who lives in this country to do so free of racially-based violence and intimidation."
Because the jury found that death resulted from their acts, Donchak and Piekarsky face sentences of up to life in prison on the hate crime charge. In addition, Donchak faces up to 20 years in prison on the obstruction charge and five years on the conspiracy charge. The defendants will be sentenced on Jan. 24, 2011, by Senior District Judge A. Richard Caputo.
This case was investigated by special agents from the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, and was prosecuted by Gerard V. Hogan and Myesha Braden of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
South Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A McCormick, S.C., tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Teresa Little Moss, formerly known as Teresa Waller Little, appeared before U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs in Greenville, S.C.
According to court documents, Moss owned and operated The Little Tax Shop, a tax return preparation business with locations in McCormick and Abbeville, S.C. The business served clients from throughout the state. For tax years 2004 through 2007, she helped prepare false tax returns for numerous clients. The charges to which Moss pleaded guilty relate to the 2005 and 2006 tax returns of a particular client. The resulting tax loss is $18,977. The total tax loss that she caused is $557,429.
A sentencing date has yet to be set. Moss faces a sentence of up to three years in jail and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each of the counts to which she pleaded guilty.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco of the Justice Department’s Tax Division commended the investigative efforts of the IRS agents involved in the case and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Tracy Gostyla and Michelle Petersen, who are prosecuting the case.
More information about the Justice Department’s Tax Division and its enforcement efforts is available at www.usdoj.gov/tax/.
Ninth Taiwan Executive Indicted for Participating in Global LCD Price-Fixing ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned an indictment against a former executive of a Taiwan thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) producer for participating in a global conspiracy to fix prices of TFT-LCD panels, the Department of Justice announced today.
The indictment, returned in U.S. District Court in San Francisco today, charges that Hsin-Tsung Wang participated in a conspiracy to fix the prices of TFT-LCD panels sold worldwide. Wang, a resident of Taiwan and the former vice president of sales and marketing of Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corporation, is charged with participating in the conspiracy from at least as early as Sept. 14, 2001, and continuing at least until Dec. 1, 2006.
TFT-LCD panels are used in computer monitors and notebooks, televisions, mobile phones and other electronic devices. By the end of the charged conspiracy period, the worldwide market for TFT-LCD was valued at $70 billion. Companies directly affected by the LCD price-fixing conspiracy include some of the largest computer and television manufacturers in the world, including Apple, Dell and Hewlett Packard.
According to the one count felony charge, Wang and co-conspirators carried out the conspiracy by agreeing to fix prices of TFT-LCD panels during secret meetings and issuing price quotations in accordance with the agreements reached. As a part of the conspiracy, Wang is also alleged to have exchanged information on sales of TFT-LCD panels for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing adherence to the agreed-upon prices.
Including today’s filing, 20 executives and eight companies have been charged in the department’s ongoing investigation into price fixing in the LCD industry. As a result of this investigation, to date, more than $890 million in criminal fines have been obtained.
Wang is charged with violating the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
Today’s charge is the result of a joint investigation by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Field Office and the FBI in San Francisco.
Anyone with information concerning illegal antitrust conduct in the TFT-LCD industry is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Field Office at 415-436-6660 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.htm.
Michigan Clinic Operator Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for His Role in a Fraudulent Home Health SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A patient recruiter and operator of a Detroit-area home health agency was sentenced to 63 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services announced today.
Christopher Collins was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood in the Eastern District of Michigan to three years of supervised release following his prison term and was ordered to pay $6.97 million in restitution, jointly and severally with his co-conspirators.
Collins, 39, pleaded guilty in May 2010 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Collins admitted in court documents that he was responsible for submitting or causing the submission of approximately $6.96 million in false or fraudulent claims to the Medicare program between August 2007 and October 2009. According to the plea documents, in the late spring or early summer of 2007, Collins was hired by co-conspirator Muhammad Shahab to work as a nurse at Patient Choice Home Healthcare Inc. Patient Choice purported to provide home health services, including physical and occupational therapy services, to homebound Medicare beneficiaries.
According to plea documents, Collins solicited Medicare beneficiaries for Shahab and Patient Choice and offered them cash kickbacks in exchange for their Medicare patient information and signatures on medical documents. Collins admitted that he knew the beneficiaries he recruited were neither homebound nor in need of physical therapy services. Collins also admitted in court papers that he knew Patient Choice used the beneficiaries’ Medicare information to bill Medicare for physical therapy that was medically unnecessary and/or never performed.
In June 2008, Shahab helped finance and establish All American Home Care Inc. All American was owned at various times by Shahab and Hassan Akhtar, another co-conspirator. Beginning in April 2009, All American was owned by Collins. Collins admitted in court documents that he became the exclusive beneficiary recruiter at All American, recruiting hundreds of patients to the home health agency through the payment of cash kickbacks in exchange for their Medicare information and signature on medical documents. Collins admitted that All American billed Medicare for physical therapy services that were either not rendered or not medically necessary.
Shahab pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in February 2010. Akhtar pleaded guilty to the same charge in September 2010. Both defendants await sentencing.
Today’s result was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara L. McQuade; Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the HHS Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Chicago Regional Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief John K. Neal and Trial Attorney Gejaa T. Gobena of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Since its inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 810 individuals and organizations that collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $1.85 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/ .
Justice Department Sues to Shut Down North Carolina Tax PreparerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The United States has sued a Bryson City, N.C., tax return preparer seeking to bar her and her company from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. The civil injunction suit alleges that Jody S. Ball, doing business as Jody Ball Accounting and The Tax Lady Inc., claims bogus deductions and credits on customers’ federal tax returns.
Ball allegedly included fabricated claims for charitable deductions, business expenses and other deductions on tax returns that she and her businesses have prepared since 2006. According to the government’s complaint, Ball, who had penalties imposed against her in 2004 for similar conduct involving customer returns for 2001, 2002 and 2003, prepared more than 1,600 federal income tax returns since 2006. The Internal Revenue Service audited 144 of those returns, and approximately 80 percent of them understated customers’ tax liabilities.
In the past 10 years the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of tax return preparers and tax fraud promoters. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department website.
Justice Department Announces Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-related Employment DiscriminationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it has awarded $720,321 in grants to 13 organizations throughout the country to conduct public education programs for workers and employers about federal protections against immigration-related job discrimination.
The grants, which range from $43,664 to $88,000, are being awarded by the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) of the department’s Civil Rights Division. Recipients will assist discrimination victims; conduct seminars for workers, employers and immigration service providers; distribute educational materials in various languages; and place advertisements in local communities through both mainstream and ethnic media to educate workers and employers about their rights.
OSC enforces the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which protects U.S. and authorized immigrant workers against citizenship and national origin discrimination. As part of its mission, OSC also educates workers and their employers about the anti-discrimination provision.
“Awarding grants to professional and community-based organizations better enables us to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities under federal immigration law,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “Our grant recipients, who are well known and respected in their communities, will collaborate with us to prevent immigration-related discrimination in the workplace.”
The OSC grant recipients are:
- Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (Dearborn Mich.)
- CRLA Foundation (Sacramento Calif.)
- Catholic Charities of Dallas (Dallas
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Palm Beach (Palm Beach Gardens Fla.)
- Colorado Legal Services (Denver)
- International Institute of Metro St. Louis (St. Louis)
- La Raza Centro Legal (San Francisco
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
- Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (Utica, NY
- Lutheran Children and Family Service of Eastern PA (Philadelphia)
- National Immigrati on Law Center (Los Angeles)
- New York City Human Rights Commission (New York
- University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (Iowa City Iowa
For more information about protections against job discrimination under federal immigration law, call 800-255-7688, 202-616-5594, email: [email protected] or visit www.justice.gov/crt/osc.
El Departamento de Justicia anuncia subsidios para campaña de educación pública para combatir la discriminación en el empleo asociada a la inmigraciónRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy el otorgamiento de $720,321 dólares en subsidios a 13 organizaciones de todo el país para la realización de programas públicos educativos para trabajadores y empleadores sobre protecciones federales contra la discriminación en el empleo asociada a la inmigración.
Los subsidios, que varían de $43,664 a $88,000 dólares, son otorgados por la Oficina de Asesoramiento Especial sobre Prácticas de Empleo Injustas asociadas a la Inmigración [Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC)] de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento. Los destinatarios de los subsidios asistirán a víctimas de la discriminación, realizarán seminarios para trabajadores, empleadores y proveedores de servicios de inmigración, distribuirán materiales educativos en diversos idiomas y publicarán anuncios en comunidades locales en medios generales y étnicos para educar a los trabajadores y los empleadores sobre sus derechos.
La OSC hace valer la disposición antidiscriminación de la Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad, que protege a trabajadores estadounidenses e inmigrantes autorizados contra la discriminación asociada a la ciudadanía y el origen nacional. Como parte de su misión, la OSC también educa a los trabajadores y a sus empleadores sobre la disposición antidiscriminación.
“El otorgamiento de subsidios a organizaciones profesionales y comunitarias nos facilita la tarea de educar a trabajadores y empleadores sobre sus derechos y responsabilidades bajo nuestras leyes federales de inmigración”, dijo Thomas E. Pérez, Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles. “Los destinatarios de nuestros subsidios, quienes son conocidos y respetados en sus comunidades, colaborarán con nosotros para prevenir la discriminación asociada a la inmigración en el lugar de trabajo”.
Los destinatarios de los subsidios de la OSC son:
- El Centro de Servicios Económicos y Sociales de la Comunidad Árabe (Dearborn, Mich.)
- La Fundación CRLA (Sacramento, Calif.)
- Las Organizaciones Benéficas Católicas de Dallas
- La Diócesis de Palm Beach de Organizaciones Benéficas Católicas (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
- Servicios Legales de Colorado (Denver)
- El Instituto Internacional de la Zona Metropolitana de St. Louis
- Centro Legal La Raza (San Francisco )
- La Fundación de Ayuda Legal de Los Ángeles
- La Sociedad de Ayuda Legal de la Región Media de Nueva York (Utica, NY)
- El Servicio Luterano para Niños y Familias de la Zona Este de PA (Filadelfia)
- El Centro Nacional de Leyes de Inmigración (Los Ángeles)
- La Comisión de Derechos Humanos de la Ciudad de Nueva York
- El Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Universidad de Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa )
Para obtener más información sobre protecciones contra la discriminación laboral bajo las leyes federales de inmigración, llame al (800) 255-7688, (202) 616-5594, envíe un correo electrónico a: [email protected] o visite www.justice.gov/crt/osc.
Dos hombres de Shenandoah, Pa. condenados por delito por odio en la golpiza fatal a Luis RamírezRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Un juez federal en Scranton, Pa. condenó a Brandon Piekarsky y Derrick Donchak, de Shenandoah, Pa. por un delito por odio relacionado con la golpiza fatal sufrida por Luis Ramírez. El jurado determinó que los demandados eran culpables de violar el componente criminal de la Ley Federal de Vivienda Justa, que establece que es un delito usar la raza, el origen nacional o su origen étnico de una persona como base para interferir, con violencia o amenazas de violencia, con el derecho de una persona de vivir donde desee. Además, el jurado determinó que Donchak conspiró para obstruir la justicia y de hecho lo hizo.
Durante el juicio, el jurado escuchó evidencia de diversos testigos oculares de que los demandados se ayudaron y asistieron mutuamente y a algunos de sus amigos en la golpiza fatal de Luis Ramírez por ser Latino y porque no querían que vivieran Latinos en Shenandoah.
Según la evidencia presentada en el juicio, el 12 de julio de 2008, los demandados atacaron a Ramírez en un parque después de salir de un festival comunitario. Los demandados y muchos de sus amigos, algunos de los cuales testificaron durante el juicio, atacaron a Ramírez. Durante la golpiza, los demandados y sus amigos le gritaron epítetos raciales a Ramírez en repetidas ocasiones usando un término racial despectivo y le dijeron, "Esto es Shenandoah. Esto es Estados Unidos. Vuelve a México". Según los testimonios, Donchak golpeó a Ramírez usando una pieza gruesa de metal identificada en el juicio como "nudillera". Piekarsky golpeó a Ramírez en la cabeza mientras yacía tirado en el piso. Después de patear a Ramírez, Piekarsky le dijo a una transeúnte casada con un hombre Latino: "diles a tus amigos mexicanos que se vayan de Shenandoah si no quieren terminar como él". Después de que terminó la pelea, Ramírez fue llevado al Centro Médico Regional Geisinger, donde falleció por lesiones intensas en la cabeza. El jurado también escuchó evidencia de que, justo después de la golpiza, Donchak conspiró con algunos de sus amigos, algunos de sus padres y miembros del Departamento de Policía de Shenandoah para obstruir la investigación de la agresión fatal.
"Los delitos de odio de esta naturaleza no tienen lugar en este país y el veredicto de hoy demuestra que la violencia cometida por la raza, el origen nacional o el origen étnico de la víctima no será tolerada", dijo Thomas E. Pérez, Secretario de Justicia Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. "Como demuestra este caso, la División de Derechos Civiles hará valer enérgicamente el derecho de todos los habitantes de este país a vivir libres de violencia e intimidación basadas en cuestiones raciales".
Dado que el jurado determinó que el fallecimiento fue resultado de sus actos, Donchak y Piekarsky enfrentan sentencias de hasta cadena perpetua por el cargo de delito por odio. Además, Donchak enfrenta hasta 20 años de prisión por el cargo de obstrucción de la justicia y cinco años por el cargo de conspiración. Los demandados serán sentenciados el 24 de enero de 2011 por el Juez Principal de Distrito A. Richard Caputo.
El caso fue investigado por agentes especiales de la División de Filadelfia del Buró Federal de Investigaciones [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)] y enjuiciado por Gerard V. Hogan y Myesha Braden de la Sección Criminal de la División de Derechos Civiles.
Wednesday 13 October 2010
William K. Harrington Appointed U.S. Trustee for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – William K. Harrington has been appointed by Attorney General Eric Holder as U.S. Trustee for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island (Region 1), and he will assume his duties on November 8, 2010, the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees announced today. Mr. Harrington replaces John P. Fitzgerald, who has served as Acting U.S. Trustee for Region 1 since March 2010.
Mr. Harrington has served since October 2008 as the Assistant U.S. Trustee in Wilmington, Del., after joining the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) as a trial attorney in March 2004. He has significant experience in the oversight of complex chapter 11 cases. Prior to joining the USTP, Mr.Harrington practiced law in a large regional law firm concentrating on bankruptcy, corporate and commercial litigation matters. Before attending law school, he worked as a senior accountant for an investment management firm in Boston.
Mr. Harrington received a law degree from Villanova University School of Law in Villanova, Pa., and a Bachelor of Science (Economics) degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.
The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. The USTP has 21 regions and 95 field offices. Region 1 is headquartered in Boston, with additional offices in Worcester, Mass.; Manchester, N.H.; Portland, Maine; and Providence, R.I.
Contact:Jane Limprecht, Public Information Officer
Executive Office for U.S. Trustees
(202) 305-7411Northern Virginia Couple Indicted for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., returned an indictment against a married couple from Fairfax Station, Va., for conspiracy, bank fraud and tax evasion, the Justice Department today announced.
According to the indictment, Kevin and LuAnn Shaffer were co-owners of a Manassas, Va.,-based consulting business named Matrix-DSS. From 2003 to 2006, the indictment alleges that the couple conspired to defraud four separate banks, including attempting to secure approximately $5.6 million from one bank for a home loan. The Shaffers are accused of submitting false information to their lenders that overstated their assets and made other material misrepresentations, including inflated 401(k) account balances, false W-2 forms, false pay stubs and false wage information.
In addition, the couple are charged with four counts of tax evasion for allegedly failing to make an income tax return for the calendar years 2005 to 2007 and for understating their taxable income in 2004 by more than $380,000.
Finally, Kevin Shaffer is also accused of failing to account for and pay over to the IRS more than $200,000 in federal taxes that he withheld from the paychecks of Matrix DSS employees from July 1, 2006, to Jan. 31, 2008.
The 12-count indictment, which was unsealed today, was announced by John A. DiCicco, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice, Tax Division; U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride of the Eastern District of Virginia; and Rebecca A. Sparkman, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation’s Washington, D.C., Field Office.
The case is being investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Office and U.S. Secret Service. Trial Attorney Tracy L. Gostyla from the department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles F. Connolly from the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in New MexicoRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with New Mexico officials to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. The agreement was necessary to ensure New Mexico’s compliance with the 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE Act).
The agreement was filed in conjunction with a lawsuit by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division alleging that election officials in six New Mexico counties violated federal law when they failed to transmit ballots by Sept. 18, 2010, to military and overseas voters who requested absentee ballots. The affected counties are Curry, Los Alamos, McKinley, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Taos. The agreement extends the deadline for receipt of ballots from military and overseas voters. Ballots from eligible voters who requested ballots by Sept. 18, 2010, that are executed and sent by Nov. 2, 2010, and received by 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2010, will be counted.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) requires states to allow uniformed service voters (serving both overseas and within the United States) and their families and overseas citizens to register to vote and to vote absentee for all elections for federal office. In 2009, Congress enacted the MOVE Act, which made broad amendments to UOCAVA. Among those changes was a requirement that states transmit absentee ballots to voters covered under UOCAVA, by mail or electronically at the voter’s option, no later than 45 days before federal elections.
"The Justice Department is committed to vigorous enforcement of the MOVE Act so that members of the uniformed services, their families and other citizens living overseas are able to exercise their right to vote and know their votes will be counted," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "I am pleased that officials in New Mexico worked cooperatively with the Department to reach this agreement, which will ensure that the state’s military and overseas voters can participate in the upcoming federal elections."
As part of the agreement, the state will take s teps to ensure compliance in future federal elections and provide a report to the Department of Justice on those efforts.
The department previously reached agreements with Alaska, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada, North Dakota, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and filed lawsuits against New York, Wisconsin and Guam seeking relief to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in the upcoming election. More information about UOCAVA and other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/crt/voting/misc/activ_uoc.php . Complaints may be reported to the Voting Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931.
Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination at Royal Arms Apartment Complex in OhioRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of Royal Arms Apartments, a 26-unit apartment building in Ravenna, Ohio, for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating on the basis of familial status in the rental of apartments.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, names as defendants Testa Family Enterprises Ltd. LLC, the owner of Royal Arms Apartments, and its manager Christine Testa. The suit alleges that the defendants refused to rent the above-ground-level units at Royal Arms to families with young children.
“Equal access to housing in the United States is a fundamental right, and this nation will not tolerate discrimination in housing,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez. “The Justice Department will continue its vigorous enforcement of Fair Housing laws along with its partners at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).”
“Few things are more fundamental to success and happiness than having a safe place to live. Fair and equal access to housing is a cornerstone of our society,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Steven M. Dettelbach. “Apartment owners must ensure that their managers treat all tenants, and potential tenants, in a fair and equitable manner without regard to race, national origin or whether they have children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will actively pursue these cases with the goal of fairness and equity for all.”
As alleged in the complaint, the defendants refused to show an apartment to a mother of a four-year-old child and a 10-month-old child. The individual complained to the Fair Housing Advocates Association (FHAA) in Akron, Ohio, which conducted testing at Royal Arms that corroborated the complaint. The individual and the FHAA filed complaints with HUD. After an investigation, the Secretary of HUD determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that discriminatory housing practices had occurred and issued a charge of discrimination. The FHAA elected to have the matters asserted in the HUD charge heard in federal court.
“Housing discrimination is illegal and unacceptable,” said HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John Trasviña. “HUD and the Justice Department work vigorously to eliminate this form of discrimination.”
The suit seeks monetary damages for those harmed by the defendants’ actions, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination.
Fighting illegal discrimination in housing is a top priority of the Justice Department. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected], or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.
The complaint is an allegation of unlawful conduct. The allegations must still be proven in federal court.
Justice Department Concludes No Federal Criminal Violation in the Death of Imam Abdullah in DearbornRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that the evidence does not reveal a violation of the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute or warrant further federal criminal investigation in the death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, a Detroit Muslim cleric, who was shot during an Oct. 28, 2009, arrest by FBI agents in Dearborn, Mich.
The department conducted a complete, thorough, and independent review of this matter. The review included examining all documents witness accounts, forensic evidence and reports, and operational plans and procedures that were generated by an FBI Inspection Division inquiry, a Dearborn Police Department investigation, and the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s office. Additionally, a senior Civil Rights Division prosecutor consulted with Dearborn detectives and forensic experts and interviewed critical witnesses, including the FBI agents who shot Imam Abdullah and who voluntarily agreed to be interviewed.
To establish a violation of 18 U.S.C., Section 242, the applicable federal statute, the government must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that an official, acting under color of law, willfully deprived a person of a right protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. In prosecuting a Section 242 case, the government must show that the official used unnecessary and unreasonable force that was not warranted to achieve a legitimate law enforcement purpose. The government must also prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the official acted willfully, that is, with the specific intent to do something the law forbids.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Thomas E. Perez met in Detroit today with members of Imam Abdullah’s family and later with representatives of interested local groups. Assistant Attorney General Perez explained based on a thorough review of the evidence, federal prosecutors have determined that the evidence does not reveal a violation of Section 242.
The attached summary of the findings regarding the shooting incident provides detailed information and legal analysis to support the department’s conclusion. This matter is being returned to the FBI to complete its administrative inquiry of the incident.
Jury Finds Asbestos Air Monitoring Company and Employees Guilty of Clean Air Act and Fraud ViolationsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Utica, N.Y. has found Certified Environmental Services Inc. (CES); two of its managers, Nicole Copeland and Elisa Dunn; and one of its employees, Sandy Allen, guilty of conspiring to aid and abet Clean Air Act violations, commit mail fraud, and defraud the United States, the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The defendants were also convicted of substantive Clean Air Act violations and mail fraud counts. CES and Elisa Dunn were also convicted of making false statements to federal law enforcement.
As alleged in the indictment, CES (an asbestos air monitoring company and accredited laboratory), and several of its senior employees, together with Aapex Environmental and Paragon Environmental (asbestos removal companies, having already pled guilty) conspired over the course of nearly a decade to falsify lab results used to prove that asbestos removal was done properly. In numerous instances, asbestos removal companies represented that homes, schools and other buildings were free of asbestos contamination when asbestos debris remained behind. Owners of local homes and buildings were unaware that asbestos had been left behind from sloppy abatement work because air quality reports were falsified by CES and its supervisors and employees. Due to the false lab reports, people that lived or worked in these buildings were exposed to asbestos, putting them at risk of developing cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. EPA investigators have notified affected building owners of the asbestos problem so proper clean up can be conducted.
"Because of the dishonest and illegal practices of this company, many people were left unaware for years of their possible exposure to asbestos," said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. "Companies and employees will be fully investigated and prosecuted when they put the public’s health at risk by violating environmental laws."
"Falsifying asbestos reports and air quality data is a serious crime and undermines our nation’s efforts to protect human health and the environment," said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Exposure to asbestos can be fatal, and the conviction by a jury shows that the American people will not tolerate illegal activity that puts the public at risk of cancer or other serious respiratory diseases."
The conspiracy and substantive Clean Air Act and false statements counts of the indictment each carry a maximum term of incarceration of five years and a fine of $250,000. The mail fraud counts each carry a maximum term of incarceration of 20 years. CES faces a possible maximum fine of $7.5 million, and restitution to all victims. Nicole Copeland faces a maximum possible sentence of 110 years in jail and a fine of $3,000,000. Elisa Dunn faces a maximum possible sentence 40 years in jail and a fine of $1,250,000. Sandy Allen faces a maximum possible sentence 50 years in jail and a fine of $1,000,000. Sentencing has been set for February 25, 2011 at 10 a.m. in Utica, NY before the Honorable David N. Hurd.
Today’s conviction is the latest in a series of asbestos removal cases that EPA and the Justice Department have brought to trial. For example, in June 2010, the owners of Kodiak Construction Service were sentenced to a combined total of more than 13 years in prison after being found guilty of numerous asbestos related violations. Another example is the four year sentence and requirement to provide restitution to victims of more than $850,000 for the operator of J & W Construction Inc. that violated the Clean Air Act through illegal asbestos removal and disposal activities.
Asbestos has been determined to cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, an invariably fatal disease. EPA has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the EPA and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig A. Benedict of the Northern District of New York and trial attorneys Jessie M. Alloway and Todd W. Gleason of the Environmental Crimes Section, U.S. Department of Justice.
More information on asbestos: www.epa.gov/asbestos/ .
Jurado encuentra culpables a empresa que observa asbesto en el aire y empleados de violaciones a la Ley de Aire Limpio y a la Ley de FraudeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Un jurado federal en Utica, N.Y. ha hallado culpables a Certified Environmental Services Inc. (CES); dos de sus gerentes, Nicole Copeland y Elisa Dunn; y uno de sus empleados, Sandy Allen, de conspirar para ayudar y asistir en violaciones a la Ley de Aire Limpio, cometer fraude postal y defraudar a los Estados Unidos, anunciaron hoy el Departamento de Justicia y la Agencia de Protección Ambiental [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)]. Los demandados también fueron condenados por violaciones sustanciales a la Ley de Aire Limpio y por cargos de fraude postal. CES y Elisa Dunn también fueron condenados por realizar declaraciones falsas a fuerzas del orden público federales.
Como se alega en la acusación formal, CES (una empresa de observación de asbesto en el aire y laboratorio acreditado) y algunos de sus empleados de alto rango, junto con Aapex Environmental y Paragon Environmental (empresas de eliminación de asbesto que ya se declararon culpables), conspiraron durante casi una década para falsificar resultados de laboratorio usados para probar que la eliminación de asbesto había sido realizada correctamente. En numerosas ocasiones, las empresas de eliminación de asbesto hicieron creer que los hogares, escuelas y otras edificaciones estaban libres de contaminación con asbesto cuando en realidad quedaban residuos de asbesto. Los propietarios de hogares y edificaciones locales no sabían que había quedado asbesto por el trabajo descuidado de reducción porque los informes de calidad del aire eran falsificados por CES y sus supervisores y empleados. A raíz de los falsos informes de laboratorio, las personas que vivían en estas edificaciones estaban expuestas al asbesto, lo que las ponía en riesgo de desarrollar cáncer u otras enfermedades asociadas al asbesto. Los investigadores de la EPA han notificado a los propietarios de las edificaciones afectadas del problema de asbesto para que puedan realizar las tareas correspondientes de limpieza.
"Debido a las prácticas deshonestas e ilegales de esta empresa, muchas personas vivieron años sin saber que podían estar exponiéndose a asbesto", dijo Ignacia S. Moreno, Secretaria de Justicia Auxiliar de la División de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Justicia. "Las empresas y los empleados serán investigados y enjuiciados con todo el peso de la ley cuando pongan en riesgo la salud pública al violar leyes ambientales".
"La falsificación de informes de asbesto y datos de calidad del aire es un delito grave que debilita las iniciativas de nuestro país para proteger la salud de las personas y el medio ambiente", dijo Cynthia Giles, Administradora Auxiliar de la Oficina de Control y Garantía de Cumplimiento de la EPA. "La exposición al asbesto puede ser fatal y la condena por parte de un jurado demuestra que el pueblo estadounidense no tolerará actividad ilegal que ponga en riesgo de cáncer u otras enfermedades respiratorias graves al público".
Los cargos de conspiración, violaciones sustanciales a la Ley de Aire Limpio y declaraciones falsas de la acusación formal conllevan cada uno una condena a prisión máxima de cinco años y una multa de $250,000 dólares. Los cargos de fraude postal conllevan cada uno una condena máxima a prisión de 20 años. CES enfrenta una multa posible máxima de $7.5 millones de dólares y restitución a todas las víctimas. Nicole Copeland enfrenta una sentencia posible máxima de 110 años de prisión una multa de $3,000,000 de dólares. Elisa Dunn enfrenta una sentencia posible máxima de 40 años de prisión y una multa de $1,250,000 dólares. Sandy Allen enfrenta una sentencia posible máxima de 50 años de prisión y una multa de $1,000,000 de dólares. La lectura de la sentencia ha sido programada para el 25 de febrero de 2011 a las 10a.m. en Utica, NY ante el Juez David N. Hurd.
La condena de hoy es la última en una serie de casos de eliminación de asbesto que la EPA y el Departamento de Justicia han llevado a juicio. Por ejemplo, en junio de 2010, los propietarios de Kodiak Construction Service fueron sentenciados a un total combinado de más de 13 años de prisión después de ser declarados culpables de numerosas violaciones relacionadas con el asbesto. Otro ejemplo es la sentencia a cuatro años y la restitución a las víctimas de más de $850,000 dólares impuestas al operador de J & W Construction Inc., que violó la Ley de Aire Limpio a través de actividades ilegales de eliminación y desecho de asbesto.
Se ha determinado que el asbesto provoca cáncer de pulmón, asbestosis y mesotelioma, una enfermedad que siempre es terminal. La EPA ha determinado que no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto.
Este caso fue investigado por Agentes Especiales de la EPA y el Departamento de Conservación Ambiental del Estado de Nueva York. Estuvieron a cargo de la acusación en el caso el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Craig A. Benedict del Distrito Norte de Nueva York y los abogados litigantes Jessie M. Alloway y Todd W. Gleason de la Sección de Delitos Ambientales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE.UU.
Para obtener más información sobre el asbesto, visite: www.epa.gov/asbesto/ .