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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....
Virginia Receives $123 Million from Tobacco Settlement
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia announced today that the state has received a payment of $122.5 million from major tobacco companies as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. The agreement, finalized in 1998, aimed to address violations of consumer protection laws and deceptive marketing practices by tobacco companies, which led to increased healthcare costs for the state.Over the years, Virginia has received a total of $3.3 billion in payments from the Master Settlement Agreement, with annual payments helping to offset healthcare expenses related to...
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.
Attorney General Moody Announces Arrest of Two Seminole County Residents for Medicaid Fraud
Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her dismay at the actions of Debora Behnke and Suman Bhattacharjee, who were arrested for their involvement in a Medicaid fraud scheme that siphoned off over $250,000 from the Medicaid program. Moody highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “Conspiring together, these individuals defrauded Medicaid out of more than $250,000." She commended the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies that led to the apprehension of the culprits, emphasizing that the fraudulent scheme has now come to an end.The Medicaid...
Attorney General Moody Honors Victim Advocates and Law Enforcement During 2023 Crime Victims’ Rights Awards Ceremony
Attorney General Ashley Moody highlighted the dedication and commitment of individuals who have gone above and beyond to assist crime victims during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony. Moody expressed her appreciation for the award recipients, stating, “This year’s Distinguished Victim Services Award recipients have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help crime victims through their darkest days. I’m honored to highlight their incredible stories and the vital selfless work they do to help victims.”Among the recipients of the Attorney General’s...
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...
Sex Traffickers Sentenced in Maine
Ricardo Middleton, 32, of Boston, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release after a jury found Middleton guilty in December 2023 of sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud, and coercion and obstruction in Maine.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed, "This significant sentence imposed by the court reflects the severity of the defendant’s exploitation of the victim over three days. He used drugs, threats, physical force and rape to force her to engage in...
OVW Holds Information Session for Restorative Practices Pilot Program Evaluation
OVW conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Restorative Practices Pilot Program Evaluation solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed this program’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.
Criminal Division Launches Voluntary Self-Disclosures Pilot Program for Individuals
The Criminal Division has unveiled a new pilot program aimed at encouraging individuals to come forward and disclose corporate wrongdoing. This initiative, announced earlier this week, focuses on voluntary self-disclosures for individuals involved in criminal conduct, with the promise of a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) for those who meet specific criteria.According to a statement from the Criminal Division, the program is designed to incentivize individuals to report misconduct that was previously unknown to the department. Individuals who voluntarily, truthfully, and...
'Kick my ass': Doctor's statement after problem in surgery ruled inadmissible
NEWPORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - A surgeon who allegedly told the family of a patient to "kick my ass, I deserve it" after complications led to severe blood loss has won in court again after the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled the statement inadmissible.
Atlanta business owner: Lawsuits are ‘causing auto and commercial rates to explode’
Chris Hellgeth, owner of the Atlanta-based fuel-hauling company Vi-Mac, has called for "tort reform" to prevent lawsuits from "causing auto and commercial rates to explode." Hellgeth made this statement in an April 16 post on X.
Lawyer in hot water over insurance claims deserved a hearing, Fifth Circuit rules
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A lawyer who worked at a Houston law firm that has run afoul of the law will get a second chance to show he shouldn't have been suspended for nine months.
Tennessee SC blocks companies from using defense in negligent training, supervision claims
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Trader Joe's has lost a court decision in Tennessee that will have implications for other corporations fighting personal injury lawsuits.
Privacy class action firms jockey for control of 23andMe data breach claims; Edelson calls for new approach
Data privacy class action firm Edelson P.C. is seeking to control 40 class actions, potentially worth huge money, against 23andMe for allegedly allowing genetic info to be stolen in a data breach. In a new filing, Edelson is asking courts to reconsider how they decide which lawyers should lead
AGs urge federal court to review EPA’s new tailpipe emissions rules
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is leading a group of 25 states calling on a federal appeals court to review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule on car tailpipes.