U.S. Department of Justice
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Recent News About U.S. Department of Justice
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Justice Department announces nearly $30M in grants against hate crimes
The Department of Justice has announced nearly $30 million in grant funding to combat the rise in hate and bias crimes. The funding, distributed through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will support law enforcement agencies, states, community-based organizations, national civil rights organizations, and other stakeholders. These grants aim to improve the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, solve cold cases, serve victims, and support related research. -
Justice Department announces new initiatives at 2024 Hate Crimes Grantee Conference
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer addressed the 2024 Hate Crimes Grantee Conference, organized by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The event brought together grantees of the Justice Department’s hate crime grants, including law enforcement agencies, states, community-based organizations, and national civil rights organizations. -
DC accountant charged with mortgage fraud and tax crimes
A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has indicted a certified public accountant (CPA) on charges of not filing income tax returns, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment, which was unsealed today, accuses Timothy Trifilo of Washington, D.C., of failing to file federal income tax returns for nearly a decade despite earning over $7.7 million during that period. -
Justice Department secures indictment for attempted assassination of former President Trump
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland addressed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina on September 25, 2024. He began by acknowledging a significant development: the Justice Department secured a federal indictment against Ryan Routh for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. -
Federal court permanently bars Illinois-based My Unity Tax from preparing federal returns
A federal court in the Northern District of Illinois has permanently barred Joliet tax return preparer Sir Michael Joseph Davenport and his company, My Unity Tax Financial & Tax Preparation LLC (My Unity Tax), from preparing federal tax returns for others. The injunction also prevents them from owning or operating any tax return preparation businesses in the future. Davenport agreed to this permanent injunction. -
Ohio prosecutor charged with bribery conspiracy involving auto repairs
An indictment was unsealed today charging two Ohio men with a bribery scheme involving a municipal prosecutor who allegedly agreed to assist a criminal defendant with his pending cases in exchange for auto repair work. -
Ukrainian nationals face charges over Florida labor-staffing company operations
Two Ukrainian nationals appeared in court following their extradition from Thailand to the United States. They face charges related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida. -
Adam G. Brief named acting trustee for Northern Illinois and Wisconsin
Adam G. Brief has been appointed as the Acting U.S. Trustee for Northern Illinois and Wisconsin, effective September 28. This appointment was announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees today. -
Justice reform discussed at World Affairs Council event
Rachel Rossi, Director of the Office for Access to Justice, delivered opening remarks at the World Affairs Council’s event titled “From Local to Global: Justice Reform & Community Engagement in the United States and Ukraine” on September 24, 2024. The event brought together representatives from Ukraine and Seattle to discuss community prosecution efforts and equal access to justice. -
Justice Department files lawsuit against visa for monopolizing debit card market
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Visa, alleging monopolistic practices in the debit card market. The announcement was made by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki, who detailed the department's concerns about Visa's dominance in processing debit transactions. -
Justice Department updates guidelines on corporate compliance programs
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri addressed the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) at their 23rd Annual Compliance & Ethics Institute, highlighting the Department of Justice's efforts to hold companies accountable for corporate crime. -
Florida man convicted on multiple counts of sex trafficking
Following a nine-day trial, a federal jury in the Southern District of Florida has convicted Shannima Yuantrell Session, also known as Shalamar, 47, from Lake Placid, Florida. He was found guilty on 13 charges related to sex trafficking nearly a dozen women and girls. Session compelled some victims to commit commercial sex acts between July 2011 and July 2013, while others were forced into similar acts between February 2016 and February 2019. -
James B Nutter agrees $2 4m settlement over false federal mortgage insurance claims
James B. Nutter & Company, a former mortgage lender based in Kansas City, Missouri, has agreed to pay $2.4 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. The company allegedly underwrote Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that did not meet program eligibility requirements. -
Access-to-justice director visits Kansas discussing rural community challenges
Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) traveled to Kansas this week to engage with stakeholders about the access to justice challenges rural communities face and to discuss innovative solutions. The visit built upon the ongoing work of ATJ to address the rural access to justice gap in the United States. -
Leader convicted for $4M international telemarketing scheme
A federal jury in North Carolina convicted a man today for his role in orchestrating a years-long telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims in the United States from a call center in Costa Rica. -
Justice Department sues Wisconsin townships over lack of accessible voting machines
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a complaint against the Town of Thornapple, Wisconsin, and the State of Wisconsin for violations of Section 301 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). This section requires polling places to be equipped with at least one voting machine accessible to voters with disabilities during federal elections. The department also secured an agreement with the Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin, to resolve its complaint alleging HAVA violations. -
Justice Department holds quarterly meeting with Jewish community stakeholders
The Justice Department convened its quarterly interagency meeting with Jewish community stakeholders yesterday. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland provided remarks, underscoring the department’s commitment to addressing hate crimes. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division outlined relevant enforcement efforts and highlighted actions to prevent and combat discrimination and hate crimes. Assistant Secretary of Education Catherine Lhamon of the Office for Civil Rights also addressed attendees, emphasizing efforts to ensure safe learning... -
Mohammad Bazzi pleads guilty to sanctions evasion involving Hizballah financing
Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. -
Ohio restaurant owner convicted on multiple employment tax crimes
After five days of trial, a federal jury convicted Richard Bhoolai, 65, of Cincinnati, for failing to pay taxes he withheld from employees’ wages at three restaurants he owned and operated. -
Justice Department settles gender-based pay discrimination case with Wisconsin agency
The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement to resolve a gender-based pay discrimination lawsuit filed in January 2023 against the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (WDMA). The lawsuit alleged that the WDMA discriminated against former employee Michelle Hartness, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, when it offered her a lower salary than similarly or less qualified men for a director position in the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management.