Legal Roundup
Former Comptroller General of Ecuador Convicted for $10M International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme
A federal jury in Miami has convicted the former Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, for his involvement in a $10 million international bribery and money laundering scheme. According to court documents, Polit solicited and received bribes from Odebrecht S.A. and an Ecuadorian businessman in exchange for various favors.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, stated, “As Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni was entrusted to protect the people of...
McGuireWoods Bolsters Securities and Capital Markets Team With Partner Carly Ginley
McGuireWoods continues expanding its highly ranked securities and capital markets team with the arrival of partner Carly E. Ginley, an accomplished corporate lawyer who advises on capital markets transactions, securities law compliance and corporate governance matters.
Attorney General Miyares Honors Victims’ Rights Advocates at 7th Annual Unsung Heroes Award Ceremony
Attorney General Jason Miyares hosted the 7th annual Unsung Heroes Award Ceremony, recognizing Virginians who provide exemplary service and support to victims of crime in Virginia. The Office of the Attorney General established these awards to acknowledge Virginians who dedicate their work to support crime victims with trauma-informed responses in their recovery and healing journey."Unsung Heroes wake up each morning, not knowing what horrors or pain the work day could bring, but recognizing that there are crime victims in need of their support, advocacy, and care. The...
Laboratory Owners Charged in $36M COVID-19 Testing Fraud Scheme
An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida charging three men for their alleged roles in an approximately $36 million health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering scheme that involved submitting false and fraudulent claims for COVID-19 testing to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.Enrique Perez-Paris, 47, of Aventura, Florida, and Diego Sanudo Sanchez Chocron, 47, of Venice, California, made their initial appearances today in the U.S....
Bradley Adds Corporate Finance Partner Kimberly E. Zirkle to Charlotte Office
Bradley is pleased to announce that Kimberly E. Zirkle has joined the firm’s Banking & Financial Services Practice Group as a partner in the Charlotte office.
Jackie Menk Elected to Atlanta Bar Association Litigation Section Board of Directors
Associate Jackie Menk was elected to the Atlanta Bar Association Litigation Section’s Board of Directors as a Member-at-Large.
AG Nessel’s FORCE Team Partners with Postal Inspection Service to Combat Organized Retail Crimes
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a partnership between the FORCE Team and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to tackle organized retail crimes that leverage the postal system to conduct their illegal enterprises.
Attorney General Griffin Leads 23-state Amicus in Support of West Virginia’s Abortion Law
After filing an amicus brief on behalf of himself and 22 other state attorneys general in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit supporting West Virginia’s abortion prohibition, Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement:
Attorney General Bird Sues Biden EPA to Block Electric Vehicle Mandate
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined a 25-state lawsuit to block Biden’s latest electric vehicle mandate and stand up for Americans who drive gas and diesel-powered cars and trucks.
2024AG Fitch Leads Bipartisan Coalition Asking SupremeCourt to Reconsider Section 230 Immunity
Attorney General Lynn Fitch led a bipartisan coalition of 23 State Attorneys General in an amicus brief supporting a petition for certiorari by a young man seeking to hold Snapchat accountable for its rolein the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his teacher.
UPDATE: Attorney General’s Office Releases Identities of the Decedent and State Trooper Involved in Fatal Crash in Southampton, N.J., on April 9, 2024
The Attorney General’s Office identified the motorcyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) vehicle on April 9, 2024, in Southampton Township, New Jersey.
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...
Justice Department Dedicates “Faces of Gun Violence” Exhibit at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and ATF Director Steven M. Dettelbach dedicated the new “Faces of Gun Violence” exhibit during ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit. Garland expressed, “As we remember those we have lost to gun violence, the Justice Department promises that we will strive every single day to honor their lives in our work,” emphasizing the commitment to ensuring safety from gun violence for all. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco commended the survivors of gun violence for sharing their stories and engaging in discussions to prevent further...
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...
Attorney General Garland & ATF Director Dettelbach Dedicate “The Faces of Gun Violence” Exhibit at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Director Steven M. Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) dedicated a new “Faces of Gun Violence” exhibit today at a ceremony hosted during ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit. The exhibit honors and memorializes those whose lives have been tragically lost to gun violence."As we remember those we have lost to gun violence, the Justice Department promises that we will strive every single day to honor their lives in our work," expressed Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "We promise...
Doctor Charged with Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances and Health Care Fraud
A New Hampshire doctor, Adnan S. Khan, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and commit health care fraud. Khan, 48, of Grantham, allegedly orchestrated illegal prescribing and health care fraud through New England Medicine and Counseling Associates (NEMCA), operating clinics in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. According to court documents, Khan distributed drugs outside the usual course of professional practice, requiring patients to pay cash for prescriptions despite having insurance. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M....
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....
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland addressed a gathering at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit, expressing gratitude for the introduction he received and acknowledging the hard work of the ATF professionals in protecting communities.Garland also highlighted the importance of meeting gun violence survivors, stating, "They shared with me their stories, their grief, and their devotion to preventing other families from experiencing the profound loss that they have experienced."Reflecting on the victims of gun violence, Garland emphasized the impact each...
Florida Man Sentenced for Laundering Proceeds of Nigerian Romance Scams and Business Email Compromises
A Florida man, Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for his involvement in laundering the proceeds of scams against American consumers and businesses to co-conspirators in Nigeria. Garcia, of Winter Garden, was part of a network that facilitated the laundering of funds from romance scams, business email compromises, and other fraud schemes by supplying bank accounts and using a cryptocurrency exchange to transfer the funds in Bitcoin to Nigeria.According to court documents, Garcia personally laundered over $2.3 million of criminal proceeds...