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Chicago-Area Tax Preparer Sentenced for False Return Scheme
An Illinois woman, Vervia Watts, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for her involvement in preparing and filing false income tax returns for clients. Watts, operating a tax preparation business, filed over 900 fraudulent income tax returns for clients between January 2017 and June 2023. These returns included false education expenses and business income to inflate IRS refunds, totaling approximately $1.3 million.In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins for the Northern District of Illinois has ordered Watts to serve one...
U.S. Trustee Program Cracks Down on Bankruptcy Petition Preparers Exploiting Vulnerable Consumers
Two bankruptcy petition preparers have been prohibited from providing bankruptcy-related services after being found guilty of targeting vulnerable consumers facing foreclosure, thanks to the enforcement efforts of the Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP).In one case, Kafil Hamim Quaiyum Tunsill was permanently barred from acting as a bankruptcy petition preparer in the Middle District of Florida. Tunsill was also fined $12,500 and instructed to refund $1,900 to a debtor. Director Tara Twomey of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees emphasized, "Unscrupulous...
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivered remarks at the ATF's Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors' Summit on April 23, 2024. She expressed her gratitude to all attendees, especially those who have lost loved ones to gun violence, stating, "Your presence honors their memory and fuels our fight for a better, safer future."Monaco acknowledged the courage and commitment of the community gathered at the summit, emphasizing that despite being survivors, advocates, and members of law enforcement from diverse backgrounds, they are bound by extraordinary courage. She highlighted...
Consolidated Nuclear Security Settles False Claims Allegations for $18.4 Million
Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC (CNS) has agreed to pay $18.4 million to settle allegations of timecard fraud involving the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at the Pantex Site near Amarillo, Texas. The settlement comes after CNS was accused of knowingly submitting false claims for work not performed between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton emphasized the government's stance on the issue, stating, “We will not tolerate the misuse of public funds by those who do business with the United States....
Justice Department Reaches Civil Settlement with Victims Abused by Lawrence Nassar
The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a civil settlement with victims of the sexual abuse perpetrated by former physician and USA Gymnastics official Lawrence Gerard Nassar. The settlements are in response to 139 administrative claims arising from allegations of sexual abuse committed by Nassar.Nassar, who was arrested in 2016 by the State of Michigan, had sexually abused hundreds of victims over nearly two decades under the pretense of medical treatments. These settlements aim to address administrative claims against the United States regarding the...
Much of 'usually hungover' plaintiff's case over cost of McD's orange juice tossed
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A plaintiff who testified she is "usually hungover" when she orders McDonald's breakfast will get to try again with a lawsuit over the extra charge for orange juice in combo meals.
Republicans vote to rein in 'rogue' CFPB
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Following a hearing in which Republicans criticized what they feel is overreach by a federal agency, a House committee last week voted to repeal limits credit card companies can charge for late fees.
Limestone Univ. settles claims over hidden camera in locker room
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Anonymous plaintiffs allegedly filmed in locker rooms at Limestone University in South Carolina who then saw the footage on pornography sites have reached a settlement.
Lawsuit: Ferry crash at Disney World dumped man into garbage can
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A visitor to Disney World says a ferry taking him to the park crashed, causing him to sustain injuries and fall into a trash can.
Lawsuit against Boston Housing Authority blames slow response for man's death
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Boston Housing Authority is accused of not responding to an emergency situation for more than an hour, leading to a man's death.
Justice Department Charges Four Iranian Nationals for Multi-Year Cyber Campaign Targeting U.S. Companies
The Justice Department has unveiled charges against four Iranian nationals involved in a cyber campaign targeting U.S. companies, including government entities and defense contractors. Hossein Harooni, Reza Kazemifar, Komeil Baradaran Salmani, and Alireza Shafie Nasab are accused of engaging in a hacking scheme that compromised American organizations, as well as the U.S. Departments of Treasury and State.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Criminal activity originating from Iran poses a grave threat to America’s national...
Attorney General Treg Taylor Joins 24 States Challenging EPA’s Electric Vehicle Mandate
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor has joined 24 states challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring electric vehicles (EVs) to make up 70 percent of sales within the next decade.
Jess Clucas, of Clam Gulch, Convicted for Dozens of Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
On April 16, 2024, at the conclusion of a three-week trial, a Kenai jury convicted 47-year-old Jess Clucas of Clam Gulch of 60 felony counts related to sexually abusing three grade-school age girls living in his home over a fifteen-year period.
Attorney General Steve Marshall Files Petition Demanding EPA Rescind ‘Environmental Justice’ Initiatives Harming States
Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a coalition of 23 states in filing a petition for review demanding that Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency modify its Title VI regulations.
US Supreme Court Allows Idaho to Enforce Law Protecting Vulnerable Children
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Labrador v. Poe to narrow a lower court’s order to apply only to the challengers and allow Idaho to otherwise enforce its law that protects children from harmful and experimental drugs and procedures.
Attorney General Brown Announces Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to review and resolve consumer complaints against airlines and ticket agents.
Attorney General James Secures More than $700,000 from Pathward Bank for Illegally Freezing Bank Accounts and Turning Over Consumer Funds to Debt Collectors
New York Attorney General Letitia James secured more than $700,000 from Pathward, National Association (Pathward), a national bank formerly known as MetaBank, for unlawfully freezing customer accounts and illegally transferring money to debt collectors.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers Joins 25-State Coalition to Halt the Biden Administration’s Electric Vehicle Mandate
Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed suit to defend Americans who drive gas and diesel-powered trucks and cars against the Biden Administration’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate.
Attorney General James Urges U.S. Senate to Confirm Adeel Mangi to Federal Appeals Bench
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 11 attorneys general urged the U.S. Senate to confirm President Biden’s judicial nominee Adeel Mangi to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Drummond praises House for approving HB 4156
Attorney General Gentner Drummond lauded state House members for their passage of House Bill 4156.