U.S. Department of Justice
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Recent News About U.S. Department of Justice
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Former Las Vegas official convicted in charity fraud scheme
A former Las Vegas city councilwoman has been convicted by a federal jury in Nevada on charges related to a charity fraud scheme. Michele Fiore, 54, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud. The charges stem from her actions while serving as a city councilwoman, during which she misled donors into believing their contributions would fund memorials for police officers killed in the line of duty. -
G7 summit addresses competition challenges in AI markets
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission recently took part in the G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers Summit held in Rome. The summit aimed to address how competition can be maintained within AI-related technologies, products, and applications. -
California real estate agent faces charges for alleged tax crimes
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted Gabriel Guerrero, a commercial real estate agent based in Los Angeles, on charges of tax evasion and obstructing the IRS. According to the indictment, Guerrero failed to file timely tax returns for several years and later filed over a decade's worth of returns in 2014 without paying the self-reported amounts owed. -
Federal court orders Thornapple to use accessible voting system for November election
A federal court in the Western District of Wisconsin has issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Town of Thornapple to provide an accessible voting system at its polling places for the upcoming November 5 federal general election. This decision follows a complaint filed by the United States on September 20, alleging that Thornapple had not complied with Section 301 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) during previous elections. -
Four men charged with exporting firearms illegally from US
Haitham Al-Dulaimi, Haider Lazem, Hasan Wasak, and Abdullah Alsajee have been arrested in Louisville, Kentucky. The arrests followed an unsealed indictment charging them with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling goods from the United States, engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, making false statements in firearm purchases, and defrauding the U.S. government. Additionally, Alsajee, Lazem, and Wasak face charges for making false statements when purchasing firearms. -
Pharmaceutical executives charged for unlawful sale of nearly 70 million opioid pills
Charges have been filed against ten pharmaceutical distributor executives, sales representatives, and brokers in connection with the illegal distribution of nearly 70 million opioid pills. The charges were unsealed in several districts including the Southern District of Texas, Southern District of Florida, Eastern District of Missouri, and Eastern District of North Carolina. This enforcement action also involved three Houston-area pharmacy operators. -
Justice Department seizes Russian-operated domains linked to phishing schemes
The Justice Department has revealed the unsealing of a warrant authorizing the seizure of 41 internet domains used by Russian intelligence agents and their proxies for computer fraud and abuse in the United States. This action is part of a broader effort outlined in the National Cybersecurity Strategy, aiming to disrupt malicious cyber activities through public-private collaboration. The department's move was made alongside Microsoft's civil action to restrain 66 internet domains used by similar actors. -
Court issues permanent injunction against Miami-based Brito brothers
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has issued a permanent injunction against Miami tax return preparers, George and Luis Brito, along with their businesses. This legal action prohibits George Brito from preparing federal income tax returns, participating in any tax preparation business, assisting others in preparing tax returns, or transferring customer lists to others. Similarly, Luis Brito is barred from preparing income tax returns for individuals. The brothers have consented to the entry of this injunction. -
Justice Department hosts AI symposium focusing on cybercrime strategies
The Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) recently co-hosted a symposium focused on artificial intelligence at the Department of Justice. The event took place in Washington, D.C., at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on October 2. -
DOJ charges ten linked to illegal sale of 70M opioid pills
The Department of Justice has announced charges against ten individuals linked to pharmaceutical distributors. These individuals are accused of channeling approximately 70 million opioid pills and 30 million doses of other prescription drugs, primarily to "pill-mill" pharmacies in the Houston, Texas area. The estimated street value of these drugs exceeds $1.3 billion. -
Three ex-Memphis police officers convicted in connection with Tyre Nichols' death
Following a nearly four-week trial, a federal jury in Memphis, Tennessee, has convicted three former Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers of federal felonies connected to the death of Tyre Nichols on January 7, 2023. -
Justice Department sues Missouri landlords over alleged discriminatory tenant policy
The Justice Department has initiated legal proceedings against the owners and managers of Suburban Heights Apartments in Kinloch, Missouri, alleging discriminatory practices against Black tenants. The lawsuit claims that Suburban Heights LLC, Crestline Property LLC, Triline Properties LLC, and Jingle Properties LLC violated the Fair Housing Act by enforcing a ban on tenants with felony convictions and certain other criminal histories. -
Foreign nationals sentenced for defrauding Apple out of over $2.5 million
Two individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme that defrauded Apple Inc. of millions of dollars worth of iPhones. Haotian Sun, 34, and Pengfei Xue, 34, both Chinese citizens residing in Maryland, received prison sentences and financial penalties as part of their sentencing. -
Attorney General Garland praises law enforcement partnerships during visit to Rhode Island
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island on October 2, 2024, to deliver remarks and meet with local law enforcement officials. He expressed gratitude for their efforts in maintaining safety and highlighted the importance of partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies. -
Justice Department settles with Maryland State Police over alleged discriminatory hiring
The Justice Department has announced a settlement with the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) concerning allegations of discriminatory hiring practices. The United States claims that MDSP's hiring process for state troopers violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. According to these allegations, the written test used by MDSP discriminates against Black candidates, while the physical fitness test discriminates against female candidates. The settlement agreement is pending approval from a federal judge. -
Precision Toxicology agrees to pay $27M over false claims allegations
Precision Toxicology, operating as Precision Diagnostics, has agreed to pay $27 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act and similar state statutes. The company was accused of billing Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests and providing free items to physicians who referred laboratory testing business to Precision. Based in San Diego, Precision is one of the largest urine drug testing laboratories in the United States. -
Texas hospital CEO settles kickback allegations with $5M payment
Former hospital CEO Jeffrey Madison has agreed to pay $5,343,630 to settle allegations under the False Claims Act. The claims involve illegal payments to physicians for laboratory referrals, violating the Anti-Kickback Statute. Madison will also cooperate with ongoing Justice Department investigations related to these allegations. -
Russian man sentenced for illegal money transmission involving over $150 million
Feliks Medvedev, a 43-year-old resident of Buford, Georgia, has been sentenced to three years and ten months in prison. Following his release, he will undergo three years of supervised release and is required to pay a $10,000 fine. This sentencing comes after Medvedev was found guilty of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated the transfer of over $150 million in Russian funds. -
GSA invites feedback for sixth U.S. Open Government National Action Plan
The U.S. Open Government Secretariat, part of the Government Services Administration (GSA), is inviting public comments for the development of the Sixth U.S. Open Government National Action Plan (NAP). This initiative is part of the United States' commitment as a founding member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The GSA seeks input from various stakeholders, including those in public, private, advocacy, not-for-profit, and philanthropic sectors. Contributions are also encouraged from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. -
Justice Department unveils strategic approach to countering cybercrime
Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Head of the Criminal Division, addressed a symposium organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). Her remarks focused on the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence in law enforcement.