U.S. Department of Justice
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Recent News About U.S. Department of Justice
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Justice Department initiates process to reschedule marijuana
The U.S. Justice Department has announced that the Attorney General has submitted a notice of proposed rulemaking to the Federal Register, initiating a formal process to consider reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). -
Seven Sinaloa Cartel members sentenced for drug trafficking conspiracy
Seven members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel have been sentenced to prison for their role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The defendants had previously pleaded guilty to these charges. -
Dominican national sentenced for role in international cocaine trafficking conspiracy
A Dominican Republic national was sentenced yesterday to a prison term of 15 years and four months for his involvement in an international conspiracy aimed at distributing 385 kilograms of cocaine for illegal importation into the United States. -
Justice Department secures agreement to cease HIV discriminatory law enforcement
The Justice Department has announced that the Shelby County, Tennessee, District Attorney General (DA) has reached an agreement to halt the prosecution of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) under Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law. The DA will also implement reforms to rectify discrimination against people living with HIV who have been subjected to discriminatory and harsher penalties under this law. -
Investment company chairman and consultant convicted in bribery scheme
A federal jury in Charlotte, North Carolina has convicted Greg E. Lindberg, founder and chairman of multinational investment company Eli Global LLC, and his consultant John D. Gray, for their involvement in a bribery scheme. The conviction came after a retrial that focused on the duo's orchestration of improper campaign contributions and manipulation of independent expenditure accounts. -
Homeland Security and Justice Department announce new process for efficient immigration hearings
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland have announced a new Recent Arrivals (RA) Docket process to expedite the resolution of immigration cases for certain noncitizen single adults who attempt irregular crossings between ports of entry at the Southwest border. The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice aim to swiftly impose consequences, including removal, on those without a legal basis to remain in the United States and grant immigration relief or protections more promptly to noncitizens with valid claims. -
Brothers charged with stealing $25M from Ethereum blockchain
An indictment was unsealed recently, charging Anton Peraire-Bueno, 24, of Boston, and James Pepaire-Bueno, 28, of New York with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from an alleged scheme by the defendants to exploit the Ethereum blockchain's integrity to fraudulently obtain approximately $25 million worth of cryptocurrency within approximately 12 seconds. The brothers were arrested in Boston and New York respectively and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson for the District of... -
Justice Department investigates Kentucky youth detention centers' conditions
The Justice Department has announced a statewide investigation into conditions at eight youth detention centers and one youth development center run by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. The probe will assess whether Kentucky safeguards children in these facilities from harm caused by excessive force by staff, prolonged and punitive isolation, and inadequate protection from violence and sexual abuse. Additionally, the investigation will scrutinize whether Kentucky provides sufficient mental health services and necessary special education to children with disabilities. -
Seven sentenced for 2020 D.C. clinic invasion and FACE Act violations
Seven individuals have been sentenced following their convictions for federal conspiracy against rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act offenses. These sentences are the result of three separate trials related to the forceful blockade of a Washington, D.C., area reproductive health clinic on Oct. 22, 2020. -
Justice Department settles with Maxim Healthcare over immigration-related discrimination claims
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Maxim Healthcare Services, a Maryland-based home healthcare company operating in 35 states. The agreement resolves allegations that Maxim violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) at its Gardena, California office by discriminating against a non-U.S. citizen worker. -
US-Mexico joint effort continues to counteract fentanyl trafficking
On May 14 and 15, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance (INL) as well as the Mexican Attorney General’s office (FGR), conducted the third in a series of workshops with prosecutors from FGR. The workshop was held under the guidance of Licenciado Miguel Angel Méndez Buenos Aires, director of the Specialized Office for International Affairs (FEAIN). -
Justice department investigates conditions at Kentucky youth detention centers
The Justice Department disclosed that it has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the conditions at eight youth detention centers and one youth development center managed by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. -
Justice Department accuses Nebraska of violating civil rights laws
The Justice Department has declared that Nebraska is in violation of federal civil rights laws, due to the unnecessary segregation of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) in assisted living and day program facilities. This segregation breaches the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. -
Attorney General Merrick Garland commemorates 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board decision
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently delivered remarks to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. The event took place in the Justice Department’s Great Hall, with Secretary Cardona representing the Department of Education. -
Maryland woman admits guilt in plot to disrupt Baltimore power grid
Sarah Beth Clendaniel, a 36-year-old woman from Catonsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to damage or destroy electrical facilities in the state. Court documents reveal that Clendaniel became acquainted with Brandon C. Russell, a Florida resident currently awaiting trial on similar charges, in 2018. Both individuals espouse white supremacist ideologies and advocate for a concept known as “accelerationism.” -
Deputy Attorney General addresses Election Threats Task Force on evolving technology-driven crimes
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently addressed the Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the critical role it plays in safeguarding democratic processes and those who facilitate them. -
Kabbage Inc. resolves allegations of defrauding Paycheck Protection Program
The Justice Department has announced that Kabbage Inc., a now-bankrupt financial technology company, has agreed to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The company is accused of knowingly submitting thousands of false claims for loan forgiveness, loan guarantees, and processing fees to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with its participation in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). -
White House Roundtable drives forward interagency collaboration for legal aid
The White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), overseen by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ), has been actively working this year to enhance collaboration among 28 federal agencies with the aim of advancing access to justice. LAIR's mission is to "improve coordination among Federal programs, so that programs are more efficient and produce better outcomes," including broadening access to legal services. -
Justice Department addresses surge in threats against election officials
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently addressed the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the importance of protecting election workers and officials from violent threats. The Task Force was launched three years ago in response to a surge in such threats following the 2020 election. -
Justice Department intervenes in Muscogee (Creek) Nation's lawsuit against Tulsa
The U.S. Justice Department, representing the Department of the Interior, has filed a motion to intervene in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s lawsuit against the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The lawsuit, which also includes the city's mayor, chief of police and city attorney as defendants, is currently before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma.