District Not Recorded

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department, in close coordination with the Department of Education, announced today a successful first year of the new process for handling cases in which individuals seek to discharge their federal student loans in bankruptcy. One year after Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta announced the process in November 2022, data and information show that the process is achieving its goals of ensuring consistency and equity in the evaluation of student loan discharge requests, and that the process has translated into increasing numbers of eligible federal student loan borrowers seeking and obtaining debt relief under the Bankruptcy Code.   

The departments finalized new guidance in November 2022 that outlined a fairer, more accessible process to ensure consistent treatment of the discharge of federal student loans, reduce the burden on borrowers of pursuing such proceedings, and facilitate identifying cases where discharge is appropriate. At the time, both the departments committed to assessing the guidance after the first year of implementation. To do so, the Justice Department surveyed all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and consulted closely with the Department of Education to gather data and comments on the process. A dedicated group of experts within the Civil Division also collected input on the new process from consumer law groups, including the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Finally, the Civil Division has conducted large-scale trainings for Department attorneys, as well as public training events supported by regional bar associations and the courts, including most recently a training session hosted by the American Bankruptcy Institute that was attended by over 300 consumer bankruptcy attorneys. The Department of Education also participated in training events hosted by regional bar associations, as well as at the annual meeting of the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees (NACTT), which included private attorneys as well as Chapter 13 trustees.

The information that the departments have collected indicates that the new process is making it easier for eligible debtors to achieve bankruptcy discharge of their federal student loan debts. Since the process was announced one year ago:     

• 632 cases were filed in the first 10 months of the new process (November 2022 through September 2023), a significant increase from recent years. The departments anticipate that this trend will continue.
• 97% of all borrowers in the cases filed are voluntarily using the new streamlined process.
• The vast majority of borrowers seeking discharge have received full or partial discharges. In 99% of cases where courts have entered orders or judgments to date, the government recommended, and the court agreed to, a full discharge or partial discharge. 
• Two bankruptcy courts — the Northern and Central Districts of California — have adopted procedures recognizing the utility of the new process, aimed at further streamlining the procedures debtors must follow to obtain discharges.

“One year ago, we set out to simplify and improve the process for student loan borrowers in bankruptcy,” said Associate Attorney General Gupta. “I am thrilled that our one-year review indicates that our efforts have made a real difference in borrowers’ lives by ensuring student-loan discharges are more accessible to eligible borrowers. We will continue working with our partners at the Department of Education to ensure the process continues to be a success.”

“It is clear that this improved process is helping struggling borrowers,” said Chief Operating Officer Rich Cordray of the Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid. “This guidance is an important piece of our overall efforts to create a student loan system that is more humane, with affordable payments and programs that work as intended. In partnership with the Justice Department, we will continue working to streamline this process and to provide student loan borrowers a pathway to obtaining much-needed relief in bankruptcy.”

Because the new process is working well, the Justice Department is not making any changes to the guidance at this time. The departments will continue to meet regularly to ensure that the guidance is appropriately implemented and to consider adjustments as warranted. Subject-matter experts in the Civil Division plan to continue to promote awareness of and provide training on the guidance both within and outside the government. The departments will also continue to conduct outreach to the broader community potentially affected by the process.

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (NYCHH), which provides health care services to more than one million New Yorkers. The agreement resolves the department’s determination that NYCHH violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it rejected a worker’s valid work authorization document based on the worker’s national origin.

“Employers cannot reject valid documents showing someone’s permission to work based on the country the person was born in,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Federal civil rights law protects workers from discrimination that can occur when employers are checking their permission to work. The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable employers that treat workers differently because of where they were born or their national origin.”

The department’s investigation determined that NYCHH unlawfully rejected a worker’s valid employment authorization document (EAD), which was automatically extended through a notice in the Federal Register applicable to those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The department determined that NYCHH rejected the valid document and delayed the onboarding of the worker based on its incorrect assumption that the worker’s country of birth listed on her EAD had to be the same as the country designated for TPS.

TPS is a temporary immigration benefit that allows qualified individuals from designated countries to stay in the United States for a limited time period due to conditions in the designated country, such as on-going armed conflict, environmental disaster or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Workers with TPS, like all workers, have the right to provide their choice of valid documentation to demonstrate their permission to work. Federal Register notices that automatically extend a TPS worker’s permission to work explain that the worker does not have to show additional documentation or prove their citizenship status, and that the country of birth listed on the worker’s documentation does not have to match the TPS-designated country.

Under the terms of the agreement, NYCHH will pay back pay to the affected worker to compensate for lost wages that the department determined the worker was eligible for due to the discrimination. It will also pay a civil penalty to the United States, train its staff on the anti-discrimination provision of the INA, review and revise its employment policies and training materials and be subject to departmental monitoring for three years.

The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. The statute prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee, unfair documentary practices and retaliation and intimidation. 

Find more information on how employers can avoid discrimination when verifying someone’s permission to work on IER’s website. Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Individuals with TPS who have questions about their rights can find more information on IER’s website. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify), or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email IER@usdoj.gov; sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER.

The Justice Department announced today the launch of the Federal Language Access Working Group, a new interagency effort that will coordinate language access across the federal government. Along with the creation of this working group, the Department also announced the release of updated federal agency language access plans on its website, www.LEP.gov, on the one-year anniversary of the Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s language access memorandum to federal agencies.

In November 2022, Attorney General Garland directed federal agencies to revise their language access plans, share best practices, and exchange information about language access initiatives and efforts in compliance with Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.” Today marks the release of the first batch of those updated plans with additional federal agencies posting updated plans in the coming months.

“Our government serves all Americans better when we ensure that language barriers do not stand in the way of participation in civic life,” said Attorney General Garland. “Today, I’m pleased to share that more than a dozen federal agencies have answered my call to re-examine the ways in which they are addressing these barriers through the release of updated language access plans and policies aimed at ensuring that government programs remain accessible to all. The Justice Department will continue to support agencies in implementing their language access plans and their broader efforts to close the language gap across federal programs and services.”

“Everyone in the country should be able to exercise their rights, obtain critical information and access benefits and services that they are eligible for, regardless of the language they speak, read or write,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The updated language access plans released today lay out the steps that federal employees are taking to ensure that people with limited English proficiency are provided real and meaningful access to federal programs and activities. These plans also equip federal employees with the information they need to communicate accurately and effectively with all communities.”

The Federal Language Access Working Group will serve as a central resource for providing support and technical assistance to federal agencies as they work to implement their updated language access plans. The working group will also directly engage with community groups, individuals with limited English proficiency, and other stakeholders to ensure adherence with Executive Order 13166 and other federal language access obligations. The working group will also focus on ensuring that recipients of federal funds comply with their language access obligations under federal law. The Attorney General’s memorandum called upon agencies to consider additional ways in which agencies can ensure that federal financial assistance recipients understand and comply with their obligations to provide meaningful language access under the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations.

Today’s announcement builds on the Justice Department’s longstanding commitment to advancing language access. The Civil Rights Division recently issued a fact sheet on courts language access in coordination with a webinar for state courts. The division also launched the Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative, a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies in meeting their obligations to provide meaningful language access.

Pursuant to the Attorney General’s November 2022 memorandum, the Justice Department issued its revised Language Access Plan in August, which can be found here. Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, and French translations are also available. The Office for Access to Justice’s Language Access Program coordinates implementation of the Department’s revised plan, provides training and technical assistance to Department components, expands language access resources, and promotes improved language access policies and practices in compliance with the Department’s plan. The program’s Language Access Coordinator chairs the Department’s Language Access Working Group, a Department-wide effort to implement the Department’s plan.

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and information about limited English proficiency and Executive Order 13166 is available at  www.LEP.gov.   

The Justice Department announced today its findings that Service Oklahoma violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining a mobile application that is inaccessible to individuals with vision disabilities.

In a letter issued to Service Oklahoma, the department detailed its findings following its investigation of a complaint filed by an Oklahoma resident who is blind and could not access the Oklahoma Mobile ID Application (OK Mobile ID App).

Service Oklahoma’s OK Mobile ID App allows users to store their identification on a smartphone and use it in many contexts where a person would normally use a physical driver’s license or other state-issued ID. This includes applying for unemployment benefits and paying for purchases at retail stores. It can also be used to start an application for a REAL ID, which will be required in the future for such things as boarding domestic flights, visiting military bases or entering specific federal buildings.  

“Public entities, like Service Oklahoma, are increasingly using mobile apps to offer a wide range of critical government services, yet people with disabilities often face significant barriers accessing them,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “In Oklahoma, the OK Mobile ID App provides users with important benefits such as additional convenience, security and privacy. We will fully enforce the law to ensure that when public services are made available through technology such as mobile apps, those services are equally accessible to people with disabilities.”

The department found that the OK Mobile ID App imposes critical accessibility barriers for people with vision disabilities. To use the OK Mobile ID App, people must scan or take photos of their identification cards and take pictures of themselves by connecting the dots that appear on the screen using only head and eye movements. Both tasks are difficult or impossible for individuals who are blind to do without receiving any verbal feedback. Thus, Service Oklahoma violates the ADA by denying people with vision disabilities equal access to the OK Mobile ID App and by failing to ensure that communications with them are as effective as communications with others.

This letter is part of the Civil Rights Division’s Tech Equity Initiative to combat disability discrimination that occurs through technology, such as in websites and mobile apps. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (TTY 833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov.  For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. Complaints may be filed online at www.civilrights.justice.gov/.

El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (NYCHH), que proporciona servicios de atención médica a más de un millón de neoyorquinos. El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que NYCHH infringió la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés) cuando rechazó el documento válido de autorización para trabajar de un trabajador con base en la nacionalidad de origen del trabajador.

«Los empleadores no pueden rechazar documentos válidos que demuestran el permiso de alguien para trabajar en función del país en el que esa persona nació», afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Las leyes federales de derechos civiles protegen a los trabajadores de la discriminación que puede ocurrir cuando los empleadores verifican su permiso para trabajar. El Departamento de Justicia seguirá responsabilizando a aquellos empleadores que traten a los trabajadores de forma diferente debido al lugar donde nacieron o a su nacionalidad de origen».

La investigación del departamento determinó que NYCHH rechazó, de manera ilegal, un documento de autorización para trabajar («EAD», por sus siglas en inglés) válido de un trabajador, que se había prorrogado automáticamente a través de una notificación en el Registro Federal aplicable a aquellos que son beneficiarios del Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS). El Departamento determinó que NYCHH rechazó el documento válido y retrasó la incorporación del trabajador, basándose en su suposición incorrecta que el país de nacimiento del trabajador indicado en su EAD tenía que ser el mismo que el país designado para el TPS.

El TPS es un beneficio migratorio temporal que permite que las personas calificadas de países designados permanezcan en los Estados Unidos durante un período de tiempo limitado debido a las condiciones en el país designado, como un conflicto armado en curso, un desastre ambiental u otras condiciones extraordinarias y temporales. Los trabajadores con el TPS, al igual que cualquier otro trabajador, tienen derecho a elegir los documentos válidos que desean presentar para demostrar su permiso para trabajar. Los avisos del Registro Federal que prorrogan automáticamente el permiso de trabajo de un trabajador con el TPS explican que el trabajador no tiene que mostrar documentación adicional ni demostrar su estatus de ciudadanía, y que el país de nacimiento indicado en la documentación del trabajador no tiene que coincidir con el país designado por el TPS.

En virtud de los términos del acuerdo, NYCHH reembolsará el pago al trabajador afectado para compensar los salarios perdidos para los cuales el Departamento determinó que el trabajador era elegible, debido a la discriminación. Por otra parte, pagará una sanción civil a los Estados Unidos, capacitará a su personal sobre la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA, revisará sus políticas de empleo y materiales de capacitación y se someterá a la supervisión por parte del Departamento durante tres años.

La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados («IER», por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. La ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación. 

Puede obtener más información sobre cómo los empleadores pueden evitar la discriminar al verificar el permiso para trabajar de alguien en el sitio web de la IER. Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. Los individuos con el TPS que tengan preguntas sobre sus derechos pueden encontrar más información en el sitio web de IER. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); enviar un correo electrónico a IER@usdoj.gov; inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito o visualizar una presentación a la carta; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español . Suscríbase para recibir  actualizaciones por correo electrónico  de la IER.

Hoy el Departamento de Justicia anunció el lanzamiento del Grupo de Trabajo Federal de Acceso al Lenguaje, el cual constituye un nuevo esfuerzo interagencial en el que coordinarán el acceso al lenguaje a través del gobierno federal. Junto con la creación de este Grupo de Trabajo, el Departamento de Justicia también anunció en su sitio web, www.LEP.gov,  el lanzamiento de planes actualizados de acceso al lenguaje por parte de agencias federales, tras marcar el primer aniversario en que el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland emitió el memorándum de acceso al lenguaje a agencias federales.    

En noviembre de 2022, el Fiscal General Garland ordenó a las agencias federales que revisaran sus planes de acceso al lenguaje, compartieran sus mejores prácticas e intercambiaran información sobre iniciativas y esfuerzos de acceso al lenguaje en cumplimiento de la Orden Ejecutiva 13166, “Mejorar el acceso a los servicios para las personas con dominio limitado del inglés”. Hoy marca el lanzamiento del primer lote de esos planes actualizados y en los próximos meses más agencias federales publicarán sus planes actualizados.

“Nuestro gobierno sirve mejor a todos los estadounidenses cuando garantizamos que las barreras de idioma no obstaculizan la participación en la vida cívica”, dijo el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland. “Hoy, me complace compartir que más de una docena de agencias federales han respondido a mi llamado para reexaminar las formas en que están abordando estas barreras mediante la publicación de planes y políticas actualizados de acceso al lenguaje destinados a garantizar que los programas gubernamentales sigan siendo accesible a todos. El Departamento de Justicia seguirá apoyando a las agencias en la implementación de sus planes de acceso lingüístico y sus esfuerzos más amplios para cerrar la brecha lingüística en todos los programas y servicios federales”.

“Toda persona en el país debe poder ejercer sus derechos, obtener información crítica y tener acceso a beneficios y servicios a los cuales es elegible, independientemente del idioma que hable, lea o escriba”, señaló Kristen Clarke, Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Los planes actualizados de acceso al lenguaje que se difunden hoy establecen los pasos que el personal federal debe tomar para garantizar que las personas con dominio limitado del inglés se les provea acceso significativo a los programas y actividades federales. De igual manera, equipan al personal federal con la información que necesita para comunicarse con todas las comunidades de manera precisa y efectiva”.

El Grupo de Trabajo Federal de Acceso al Lenguaje funcionará como un recurso central que proporcionará apoyo y asistencia técnica a las agencias federales mientras que ellas trabajen en la implementación de sus planes actualizados de acceso al lenguaje. El Grupo de Trabajo también colaborará directamente con grupos comunitarios, personas con dominio limitado del inglés y otras partes interesadas en garantizar el cumplimiento de la Orden Ejecutiva 13166 y otras obligaciones relacionadas con el acceso al lenguaje a nivel federal. El Grupo de Trabajo también se enfocará en garantizar que las agencias que reciban fondos federales cumplan en conformidad con la ley federal con sus obligaciones de acceso al lenguaje. En el memorándum del fiscal general se pidió a las agencias que consideraran otras formas en que las agencias puedan cerciorarse de que los beneficiarios de asistencia financiera federal comprendan y cumplan con sus obligaciones de proveer un acceso lingüístico significativo en virtud de los requisitos del Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y sus reglamentos de aplicación.  

El comunicado de hoy se construye sobre el compromiso desde hace tiempo del Departamento de Justicia de promover el acceso al lenguaje. La División de Derechos Civiles publicó recientemente una hoja informativa sobre el acceso al lenguaje en los tribunales en coordinación con un seminario web para los tribunales estatales. La división también lanzó la Iniciativa del Orden Público Para el Acceso Lingüístico, la cual es una iniciativa nacional que ayuda a las agencias del orden público a cumplir sus obligaciones de proporcionar un acceso lingüístico significativo.

De acuerdo con el memorándum del fiscal general de noviembre de 2022, el Departamento de Justicia emitió su Plan de Acceso al Lenguaje el cual fue revisado en agosto de 2023. Este plan se puede encontrar aquí. También se encuentran disponibles traducciones al español, chino simplificado, chino tradicional, vietnamita, coreano, tagalo, árabe y francés. El Programa de Acceso al Lenguaje de la Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia coordina la implementación del plan actualizado del Departamento, proporciona capacitación y asistencia técnica a los componentes del Departamento, amplía los recursos de acceso al lenguaje y promueve mejores políticas y prácticas de acceso al lenguaje en conformidad con el plan del Departamento de Justicia. La Coordinadora de Acceso al Lenguaje que dirige el Programa también preside sobre el Grupo de Trabajo de Acceso al Lenguaje del Departamento de Justicia, el cual es un esfuerzo por parte del Departamento de Justicia para llevar a cabo el Plan del Departamento de Justicia.

Puede obtener más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en la dirección http://www.justice.gov/crt. Igualmente, puede obtener información sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y la Orden Ejecutiva 13166 en la dirección www.LEP.gov.  

A doctor and a clinic owner were sentenced yesterday for their roles in a pill mill scheme.

Jonathan Rosenfield, M.D., 40, of Atlanta, and Elmer Taylor, 44, of Houston, were sentenced to 10 and 12 years in prison, respectively, following their guilty pleas to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances.

According to court documents, Rosenfield owned, operated, and was a physician at the two Sunnyside Medical pill-mill clinics, which did business as Sunnyside Wellness, and Elmer Taylor co-owned and co-operated the clinics. Rosenfield, Taylor, and their co-conspirators issued prescriptions for opioids, including approximately 752,000 pills of oxycodone and 419,000 pills of hydrocodone, under Rosenfield’s name, outside the usual course of professional practice, and not for a legitimate medical purpose. The prescriptions often were issued to individuals paid by drug dealers to pose as patients, and the pills ultimately were diverted to the illegal market. From May 2018 to August 2019, the Sunnyside Medical clinics grossed approximately $5,478,000 from the sale of these prescription drugs.

Co-defendants Sokari “Momma” Bobmanuel and Alantha Stewart were previously sentenced to 14 years and 10 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Acting Special Agent in Charge David Martinez of the FBI Houston Field Office made the announcement.

The DEA Houston Division and FBI Houston Field Office investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Monica Cooper, Ariel Glasner, and Courtney Chester of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Emily Petro, formerly of the Fraud Section and currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24.7 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

A federal court on Nov. 15 enjoined two Utah-based companies from distributing and manufacturing adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements, the Justice Department announced.

In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the United States alleged that Evig LLC and the company’s CEO, David Lex Howard, violated the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by distributing adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements. In a separate complaint filed the same day, the United States alleged that Premium Productions LLC and the company manager's, Ryan Petersen, violated the FDCA by manufacturing adulterated dietary supplements. According to the complaints, the dietary supplements involved are marketed throughout the United States under the brand name Balance of Nature.

The complaint against Evig LLC and Howard alleges that the defendants claimed their dietary supplements can cure, treat and prevent a variety of diseases and health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and coronavirus. According to the complaint, the supplements were neither approved by FDA nor exempt from approval, making them unapproved new drugs and misbranded under the terms of the FDCA. The complaint further alleges that FDA inspections showed the defendants had no system in place to handle customer complaints, despite receiving reports asserting that their products may have caused allergic reactions from ingredients not identified on the label.

The complaint against Premium Productions LLC and Petersen alleges that the defendants’ operation did not follow required current good manufacturing practices and failed to develop good operating procedures and adequate quality controls, making their products adulterated under the FDCA.  

FDA sent both companies warning letters in August 2019 explaining that their conduct did not comply with the FDCA. According to the government’s complaints, the defendants failed to take appropriate steps to come into compliance after receiving those letters.

“Products intended to treat or cure diseases require FDA approval,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Dietary supplement makers also must abide by federal health and safety requirements. The department will continue to work closely with FDA to stop the distribution of unapproved, adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements.”

“This FDA action ensures that dietary supplements distributed to American consumers are appropriately labeled, lawfully manufactured and prevents products that potentially put people’s health at risk with unproven claims to cure, treat or prevent a serious illness,” said Acting Associate Commissioner Michael C. Rogers of the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs. “We previously warned Evig LLC and Premium Production LLC, but they have demonstrated repeated violations of manufacturing requirements, and the public cannot have confidence that their products are what they purport to be. The FDA will continue to protect the U.S. public health by taking appropriate actions when companies violate the law.”

In both cases, the defendants agreed to settle the suits and be bound by consent decrees of permanent injunction. The orders entered by the court permanently enjoin the defendants from violating the FDCA and require manufacturing process improvements.

Senior Trial Attorney Sarah Williams of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch is handling the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Berndt for the District of Utah and Assistant Chief Counsel Todd Miller of the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

The claims resolved by the injunctions announced today are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

A Florida man was sentenced today to four years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $21.7 million in restitution for his role in a health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy that resulted in over $50 million in false and fraudulent claims being submitted to Medicare.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Steven King, 45, of Miramar, was the chief compliance officer of a pharmacy holding company that fraudulently billed Medicare for dispensing lidocaine and diabetic testing supplies that Medicare beneficiaries did not need or want. King, along with his co-conspirators, operated A1C Holdings LLC, a holding company for a number of pharmacies in various states, including All American Medical Pharmacy in Warren, Michigan. The pharmacies operated by A1C Holdings LLC secured prescriptions and refills for medically unnecessary prescriptions for lidocaine and diabetic testing supplies, in violation of Medicare’s rules and regulations, as well as the pharmacy benefit managers’ rules and regulations with which the pharmacies had contracts.

The evidence presented at trial also showed that King and his co-conspirators took several steps to conceal their scheme, including enrolling their mail order pharmacies as brick-and-mortar retail pharmacies to evade more rigorous oversight, shipping prescription refills for high-reimbursing medications and supplies without patient consent, concealing the ownership of A1C Holdings LLC and its pharmacies, and transferring patients between these pharmacies without patient consent.  Each of these steps was taken to ensure that profitable medications and supplies, like lidocaine and diabetic testing supplies, continued to be billed to Medicare.

In June, King was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office made the announcement.

HHS-OIG and the FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Shankar Ramamurthy of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion.  In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes.  More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Bộ Tư Pháp hôm nay đã công bố sự ra mắt của Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ Liên bang, một nỗ lực liên ngành mới, và sẽ điều phối việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ trên toàn chính phủ liên bang.  Cùng với việc thành lập nhóm làm việc này, bộ cũng công bố việc phát hành cập nhật ngôn ngữ cùa cơ quan liên bang trên trang web của mình, www.LEP.gov, vào dịp kỷ niệm một năm của bản ghi nhớ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của Tổng Chưởng Lý Merrick B. Garland cho các cơ quan liên bang.

Vào tháng 11/2022, Tổng Chưởng Lý Merrick B. Garland đã chỉ đạo các cơ quan liên bang sửa đổi kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của họ, chia sẻ các phương pháp hay nhất, trao đổi thông tin về các sáng kiến truy cập ngôn ngữ, và nỗ lực tiếp cận ngôn ngữ tuân theo Sắc lệnh điều hành 13166, “Cải thiện khả năng tiếp cận những Dịch vụ cho những Người với trình độ Anh văn Hạn chế.” Hôm nay đánh dấu viếc phát hành đợt đầu tiên của các kế hoạch cập nhật đó với các cơ quan liên bang đề đăng các kế hoạch cập nhật trong những tháng tới.

 “Chính phủ chúng tôi có thể phục vụ tất cả người Mỹ tốt hơn khi chúng tôi đảm bảo được sự trở ngại ngôn ngữ sẽ không còn là một hàng rào để cản trở việc tham gia vào đời sống công dân,” Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland nói. “Hôm nay chúng tôi hân hoan chia sẻ là đã có một chục cơ quan liên bang đáp ứng lời kêu gọi của tôi để xem xét lại cách họ đang giải quyết những cản trở này thông qua việc phát hành các kế hoạch và chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ nhằm đảm bảo là tất cả mọi người vẫn có thể truy cập được các chương trình của chính phủ. Bộ Tư pháp sẽ tiếp tục hổ trợ các cơ quan trong việc thực hiện các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của họ và những nỗ lực rộng lớn của họ để thu hẹp khoảng cách ngôn ngữ giữa các chương trình và dịch vụ liên bang.”

“Mọi người trong nước đều có thể thực hiện các quyền của mình, có được những thông tin quan trọng và tiếp cận được các lợi ích và dịch vụ mà họ đủ điều kiện, bất kể ngôn ngữ họ nói, đọc hay viết,”  Trợ lý Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Kristen Clark thuộc Bộ phận Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp nói. “Các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cập nhật được phát hành hôm nay đưa ra những bước mà nhân viên liên bang đang thực hiện, để đảm bảo rằng những cá nhân với trình độ Anh văn hạn chế được cung cấp quyền truy cập thực sự và có ý nghĩa của các chương trình và hoạt động của liên bang. Những kế hoạch này cũng trang bị cho nhân viên liên bang với những thông tin họ cần để họ giao tiếp chính xác và có hiệu quả với tất cả các cộng đồng.”

Vai trò của Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ Liên bang sẽ là trung tâm nguồn lực thông tin để hỗ trợ và trợ giúp kỹ thuật cho các cơ quan liên bang trong quá trình họ thực hiện các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cập nhật. Nhóm Công tác sẽ trực tiếp tham gia với các nhóm trong cộng đổng, các cá nhân với trình độ Anh văn hạn chế và các bên liên quan khác để đảm bảo việc tuân thủ Lệnh Hành pháp 1366 và các nghĩa vụ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ liên bang khác. Nhóm công tác cũng sẽ chú tâm vào việc đảm bảo là những người nhận tiền của liên bang phải tuân theo các nghĩa vụ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ theo luật liên bang. Bản ghi nhớ cùa Tổng Chưởng lý kêu gọi các cơ quan xem xét các cách bổ xung để các cơ quan có thể đảm bảo rằng người nhận hỗ trợ tài chính của liên bang phải ý thức và tuân thủ nghĩa vụ của họ khi được cung cấp quyền truy cập ngôn ngữ cho có ý nghĩa theo các yêu cầu của Tiêu đề VI của Đạo luật Dân quyền năm 1964 và các quy định thực hiện.     

Thông báo hôm nay dựa vào sự cam kết lâu dài của Bộ Tư pháp trong việc thúc đẩy việc truy cập ngôn ngữ. Bộ phận Dân quyền gần đây đã ban hành một văn bản thông tin về việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của toà án và phối hợp với hội thảo trên web cho các toà án tiểu bang.  Bộ phận này cũng đưa ra Sáng kiến Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ cho Giới Thực thi Pháp luật, là một nỗ lực trên toàn quốc nhằm hỗ trợ các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật để đáp ứng nghĩa vụ của họ trong việc cung cấp quyền truy cập ngôn ngữ cho có ý nghiã.

Căn cứ vào bản ghi nhớ tháng 11/2022 của Tổng Chưởng lý, Bộ Tư pháp đã ban hành một bản kế hoạch Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ sửa đổi vào tháng 8 năm 2023.  Quý vị có thể xem ở đây. Bộ đã có sẵn bản dịch cho các tiếng Tây ban Nha, Trung Hoa giản thể và Trung Hoa truyền thống, Việt Nam, Đại Hàn, Phi Luật Tân, Ả Rập và Pháp. Văn phòng Tiếp cận cho Chương trình Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ điều phối việc thực hiện kế hoạch sửa đổi, đào tạo và hỗ trợ kỹ thuật cho các thành phần trong bộ, bành trướng các nguồn lực tiếp cận ngôn ngữ, và thúc đẩy việc cải thiện chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và thực hành để phù hợp với đường lối của bộ.  Điều phối viên của chương trình chủ trì cho Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ; văn phòng này chủ yếu lo việc thực hiện kế hoạch của bộ.

Thông tin bổ sung về Văn phòng Dân quyền có sẵn trên trang web www.justice.gov/crt, và thông tin về trình độ Anh văn hạn chế và Lệnh Điều hành 13166 có sẵn tại www.LEP.gov.  

Inihayag ngayon ng Departamento ng Hustisya ang paglunsad ng Pederal na Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika, isang bagong pagsisikap ng pangkaloobang ahensiya na magtutugma ng kaparaanan sa wika sa buong pederal na pamahalaan.  Kasama ng paglikha sa nagtatrabahong grupo na ito, inihayag din ng Departmento ang pagpapalabas ng  pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika ng pederal na ahensiya sa website nito, www.LEP.gov, sa unang anibersaryo ng panandaan [memorandum] sa kaparaanan sa wika ni Pangunahing Abogado Merrick B. Garland sa pederal na mga ahensiya.   

Noong Nobyembre 2022, nangasiwa si Pangunahing Abogado Garland sa pederal na mga ahensiya na baguhin ang kanilang mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika, magbahagi ng pinakamahusay na mga kagawian, at makipagpalitan ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga pagsisimula at mga pagsisikap sa kaparaanan sa wika bilang pagsunod sa Nakatataas ng Utos 13166 [Executive Order 13166], “Pagpapabuti ng Kaparaanan sa mga Serbisyo para sa mga Tao na may Limitadong Kasanayan sa Ingles.”  Minarkahan ngayon ang pagpapalabas ng unang grupo ng pinakabagong mga planong iyon kasama na ang pagpo-post ng mga karagdagang pederal na mga ahensiya ng pinakabagong mga plano sa darating na mga buwan. 

“Mas mahusay na masisilbihan ng ating pamahalaan ang lahat ng mga Amerikano kapag sinigurado namin na ang mga hadlang sa wika ay hindi hahadlang sa pakikilahok sa buhay sibiko,” sabi ni Pangunahing Abogado Garland.  “Ngayon, ikinalulugod kong ibahagi na sinagot ng mahigit ng isang dosenang pederal na mga ahensiya ang aking tawag upang muling suriin ang mga paraan kung paano nilang tinutugunan ang mga hadlang na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalabas ng pinakabagong mga plano at mga patakaran na naglalayong tiyakin na ang mga programa ng pamahalaan ay manatiling makukuha ng lahat.  Ipagpapatuloy ng Departamento ng Hustisya ang pagsusuporta sa mga ahensiya sa pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika at ang kanilang mas malawak na pagsisikap na isara ang agwat ng wika sa buong pederal na mga programa at mga serbisyo.”

 “Lahat ng tao sa bayan ay dapat magawang gamitin ang kanilang mga karapatan, makakuha ng kritikal na impormasyon at kaparaanan sa mga benepisyo at mga serbisyo kung saan sila ay karapat-dapat, hindi alintana sa wika na kanilang sinasalita, binabasa, o sinusulat,” sabi ni Pangalawang Pangunahing Abogado Kristen Clarke para sa Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng Departamento ng Hustisya.  “Ang pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika na ipinalabas ngayon ay inilalatag ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng mga kawani ng pederal upang matiyak na ang mga taong may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles ay nabibigyan ng tunay at makabuluhang kaparaanan sa pederal na mga programa at mga aktibidad.  Ang mga planong ito ay nagbibigay din ng kasangkapan sa mga kawani ng pederal ng impormasyon na kanilang kailangan para sa pakikipag-usap ng wasto at mabisa sa lahat ng mga komunidad.”

Ang Pederal na Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ay magsisilbing isang sentral na mapagkukunan sa pagkakaloob ng taguyod at teknikal na tulong sa mga pederal na mga ahensiya habang tinatrabaho nila ang pagpapatupad ng kanilang pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika.  Ang nagtatrabahong grupo ay direktang makikibahagi rin sa mga grupo ng komunidad, sa mga indibidwal na may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles at iba pang mga nagsasapalaran upang matiyak ang pagsunod sa Nakatataas na Utos 13166 at iba pang pederal ng mga obligasyon sa kaparaanan sa wika.  Pagtutuunan din ng nagtatrabahong grupo na tiyakin na ang mga tatanggap ng pederal na mga pondo ay susunod sa kanilang mga obligasyon sa kaparaanan sa wika sa ilalim ng pederal na batas.  Nanawagan ang panandaan ni Pangunahing Abogado sa mga ahensiya na isaalang-alang ang mga karagdagang paraan kung saan na makakatiyak ang mga ahensiya na ang mga tatanggap ng pederal na tulong pinansiyal ay nauunawaan at sumusunod sa kanilang mga obligasyon upang magkaloob ng makahulugang kaparaanan sa wika sa ilalim ng mga kinakailangan ng Titulo VI ng Batas sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng 1964 at ang mga regulasyon nito sa pagpapatupad. 

Ang pahayag ngayon ay bumubuo sa Departamento ng Hustisyang katagalang pangako sa pagsulong sa kaparaanan sa wika.  Kamakailan lamang ang Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil ay naglathala ng isang katotohanang pilyego [fact sheet] tungkol sa kaparaanan sa wika sa mga hukuman sa pakikipagtuwangan sa isang webinar para sa mga hukumang pang-estado.  Inilunsad din ng dibisyon ng Pagkukusa sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Tagapagpatupad ng Batas [Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative], isang buong bansang pagsisikap upang tulungan ang mga ahensya sa pagpapatupad ng batas upang matugunan nila ang kanilang mga obligasyon sa pagkakaloob ng makabuluhang kaparaanan sa wika. 

Alinsunod sa Panandaan ni Pangunahing Abogado noong Nobyembre 2022, nagpahayag ang Departamento ng Hustisya ng binagong Plano sa Kaparaanan sa Wika nito noong Agosto, kung saan ay makikita dito [here]. Espanyol, Pinasimpleng Intsik, Tradisyonal na Intsik, Vietnamese, Koreano, Tagalog, Arabe, at Pranses na mga pagsasalin ay magagamit din.  Ang Tanggapan ng Kaparaanan sa Programa sa Kaparaanan sa Wika [Language Access Program] ng Hustisya ay nakikipag-tugma sa pagpapatupad ng binagong plano ng Departamento, nagkakaloob ng pagsasanay at teknikal na tulong sa mga bahagi ng Departamento, pinapalawak ang mga mapagkukunan sa kaparaanan sa wika, at nagtataguyod sa pagpapabuti sa mga patakaran at kasanayan sa kaparaanan sa wika bilang pagsunod sa plano ng Departamento.  Niluluklok ng Tagapag-ugma sa Programa ng Kaparaanan sa Wika ang Nagtatrabahong Grupo sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Departamento, isang pagsisikap sa buong Departamento upang ipatupad ang plano ng Departamento. 

Mayroong mga karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil sa website nito sa www.justice.gov/crt at impormasyon tungkol sa limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles at ang Nakatataas na Utos 13166 ay magagamit sa  www.LEP.gov.   

On Nov. 13 and 14, the U.S.-EU Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs took place in Washington, D.C. The United States was represented by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary for Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. The European Union (EU) was represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Consumers Didier Reynders and the Spanish Minister for Justice Pilar Llop. The incoming Presidency of the EU Council was represented by the Belgian Minister for Justice, Paul Van Tigchelt, and Minister for the Interior, Annelies Verlinden.

The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong transatlantic partnership and joint commitment to a regular dialogue and close cooperation on Justice and Home Affairs, at a time of major geopolitical challenges. Both sides remain committed to uphold democratic values and strengthen respect for the rule of law.

The United States and the European Union are unwavering in their long-term support to Ukraine and its people as they defend themselves against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression. Both sides remain committed to providing protection to those who were forced to flee Ukraine, and they expressed concern for those currently living under Russian occupation or who have otherwise been displaced as a result of the Russian aggression.

Russia and its leadership must be held accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine. The United States and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing full accountability for atrocities that have been perpetrated in Ukraine. The United States and the European Union called for work to continue, including in the Core Group, on efforts to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine that would enjoy the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy. Both sides saluted the important role of the International Criminal Court, Ukrainian courts, and other courts in accountability efforts, and condemned Russian attempts to undermine their work. They also praised the vital work being conducted at Eurojust, including the investigatory work carried out by participants in the Joint Investigation Team for Ukraine and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and the development and contributions to the Core International Crimes Evidence Database, all of which are strongly supported by the United States.

The United States and the European Union reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Russia pays for all the damage it has and continues to cause in Ukraine. Both sides also stressed the importance of the Register of Damage established by the Council of Europe. They reaffirmed their readiness to work towards the establishment of a future compensation mechanism.

The United States and the European Union confirmed that they are exploring all possible avenues to aid Ukraine, consistent with their respective legal systems and international law, including with regard to Russian sovereign assets. They reiterated that in the short term, they will explore how any extraordinary revenues held by private entities stemming directly from immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be used to support Ukraine and its recovery and reconstruction consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in compliance with applicable laws.

Close cooperation on the full enforcement of sanctions, including trade related sanctions, remains paramount, as does cooperation with other international partners, including G7 countries, to avoid any enforcement gap. This cooperation will be enhanced following the adoption of EU legislation on harmonizing criminal offenses and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures, as well as on asset recovery and confiscation.

The United States and the European Union emphasized their commitment to addressing security threats created by the Russian invasion, in particular working with Ukraine to bolster efforts to prevent, detect and fight against diversion and trafficking of firearms, other small arms and light weapons, and trafficking in human beings, as well as law enforcement cooperation on information exchange and joint operational actions.

The United States and the European Union discussed their joint intent to deepen cooperation in assisting Ukraine on justice reform, the rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts as it continues on its European path.

The importance of continuing to provide necessary support to the Republic of Moldova was discussed, and the sides concurred on the need for exploring more operational cooperation from the United States and the European Union in that respect, and to support the necessary rule of law and justice reforms, also in view of its European path.

The United States and the European Union stand united and firm in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the United States and the European Union recalled the U.S.-EU Summit Joint Statement of Oct. 20 in which the United States and the European Union stated:

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal terrorist attacks across Israel. There is no justification for terrorism. The United States and the European Union affirm Israel’s right to defend itself against these heinous attacks, in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The United States and the European Union will work closely with partners in the region to stress the importance of protecting civilians, supporting those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitating access to food, water, medical care, and shelter. The United States and the European Union are concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation. The United States and the European Union call for the immediate release of all hostages and emphasize their shared view that a two-state solution remains the viable path to lasting peace.”

In this context, both sides reject all forms of incitement to violence, deplore hatred in all forms, and express concern about the rise of criminal acts inspired by hate, religious intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, both in Europe and the United States including with respect to radicalization to violence of young people. They share the sense of urgency in strengthening the ability to detect and counter new methods used by terrorists and violent extremist groups, including online recruitment. They also discussed the role and negative effects of algorithmic amplification, and the overall misuse of platform services, as they continue to expand their respective prevention efforts internally. Both sides remain committed to further cooperation between law enforcement in the European Union and the United States to counter these threats.

Countering terrorism and violent extremism threats requires concerted efforts and appropriate tools. Exchange and effective use of terrorism-related information including battlefield information, financial intelligence and Passenger Name Records, are key in achieving this objective. Both sides praised the continued cooperation on exchange of information between the FBI and Europol on known or suspected terrorists identified in conflict zones and intend to further step up information sharing regarding, in particular, the Sahel region while continuing notably the cooperation on Afghanistan.

Both sides praised, and intend to continue, ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-Europol pilot projects aimed at exchanging information related to terrorism and removals in a more systematic way. These pilot projects are a good blueprint for a more structured cooperation between DHS and Europol on topics of mutual interest.

The United States and the European Union remain committed to reinforcing cooperation against cross border organized criminal networks, in particular those involved in illicit manufacture and trafficking of cocaine and synthetic drugs, including fentanyl. The United States and European Union also decided to further their exchanges through the U.S.-EU Dialogue on Drugs, and at appropriate multilateral fora, in relation to supply and demand reduction. The United States and the European Union underlined the need for joint efforts to address synthetic drugs in the context of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats and encouraged its members to work on tangible, forward-looking deliverables.

The United States and the European Union welcomed the progress of the negotiations for an U.S.-EU. agreement facilitating access to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings and expressed their commitment to advance those negotiations rapidly.

The United States and the European Union will continue to closely coordinate towards a new United Nations Convention on cybercrime, especially as its negotiations reach their final and most crucial stage. The United States and the European Union support a convention that advances international cooperation to fight cybercrime, while respecting human rights and rule of law safeguards, and reaffirm that the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and its Second Additional Protocol remain the primary instruments for international cooperation on cybercrime.

The United States and the European Union exchanged views on the benefits and risks associated with new and emerging artificial intelligence technology and tools relevant for law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Both sides also confirmed their intent to discuss this topic further and collaborate where possible for the broader good and safety of the public.

The United States and the European Union exchanged views on their external borders’ situation, where they have identified common risks and challenges. The discussion was focused on addressing irregular migration. The sides committed to meet regularly on the topic at a technical level, namely by exchanging information about trends, methods, and responses to irregular migration and developing potential solutions together. 

The United States and the European Union praised the successful first Ministerial Meeting of the Resettlement Diplomacy Network (RDN) in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. Both sides reiterated their commitment to work more closely together to strengthen and expand their respective resettlement programs and offer more durable solutions, provided for, in particular, by lawful pathways.

The European Union and the United States welcomed the progress made by the three EU Member States not yet in the Visa Waiver Program and reiterated their willingness to pursue efforts in the context of the Tripartite process and bilateral discussions to reach a positive result. The two sides concurred on the importance of reciprocal visa-free travel under their respective legal frameworks.

Reaffirming their joint commitment to advance together towards common solutions in all these areas, the United States and the European Union decided to meet again in the first half of 2024 in Brussels.

On Nov. 13, Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer and members of her team visited Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg, which has a medium-security and low-security Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) facility for men with an adjacent minimum security camp, located in Petersburg, Virginia. The Pardon Attorney and her team provided a series of educational sessions about the federal clemency process and answered questions from inmates and staff. The Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 300 inmates and staff during their visit.

The visit to FCI Petersburg was the fourth in a series of quarterly educational events that the Pardon Attorney is conducting for inmates and staff at different FBOP locations.

The first took place at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security institution in New Jersey in January. During that visit, the Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 700 inmates and staff in a day-long series of trainings throughout the facility. The second took place at United States Penitentiary Lewisburg, a medium-security institution in Pennsylvania in April. During that visit, the Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 300 inmates and staff in a day-long series of trainings throughout the facility. The third took place at FCI Aliceville, a low-security institution for women in Alabama in July. During that visit, the Pardon Attorney and her team met with over 500 inmates and staff in a day-long series of trainings throughout the facility.

These educational sessions within the FBOP are part of a year-round initiative by the Office of the Pardon Attorney to increase the accessibility and transparency of the clemency process through education and community engagement. 

A Pennsylvania man and woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States related to their efforts to evade paying employment taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Theodore Shearba and Jennifer Cemini, of Perkiomenville, owned a landscaping and excavation business. They did not report income received from the business, nor did they pay employment taxes the business owed to the IRS. Shearba and Cemini attempted to thwart IRS efforts to collect the unpaid employment taxes by depositing business gross receipt checks in nominee bank accounts. Shearba also did not file personal income tax returns for 2019, 2020 or 2021. Together, the defendants caused a tax loss to the IRS of $682,446.80.

Shearba and Cemini are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27, 2024, and face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The defendants also face periods of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant Chief Thomas F. Koelbl and Trial Attorney Alexandra K. Fleszar of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Sudesh Rai, 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 14, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Rai to 42 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rai’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Rai was ordered to pay $1,100 in special assessments.

On June 1, 2021, Rai was interviewed in person by law enforcement in Omaha, Nebraska, in relation to a separate matter. During the interview law enforcement requested consent to seize and search Rai’s cell phone. Rai completed a Consent to Search Form. The data extraction and forensic review of Rai’s cell phone revealed four videos and two images of minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with Kforce Inc. (Kforce), a staffing agency with 36 offices across the United States. The agreement resolves the department’s determination that Kforce violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by discriminating against non-U.S. citizens with permission to work in the United States and excluding them from job opportunities based on their citizenship status.

“Companies cannot unlawfully exclude people with permission to work in the United States from job opportunities because of their citizenship status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold those accountable who engage in behavior that runs afoul of our nation’s federal civil rights laws.”

The department’s investigation determined that from at least March 1, 2019, to Feb. 28, 2022, Kforce distributed job advertisements that contained unlawful hiring restrictions based on citizenship status or otherwise screened out candidates based on their citizenship status. These actions harmed workers who have been granted asylum or refugee status, and lawful permanent residents by unlawfully deterring them from applying to the job advertisements and failing to meaningfully consider those who did apply.

Under the terms of the settlement, Kforce will pay $690,000 in civil penalties to the United States and set aside $230,000 to compensate affected workers. The agreement also requires Kforce to train its personnel on the INA’s requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.

The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute generally prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation. 

Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email IER@usdoj.gov; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Sign up for email updates from IER.

El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con Kforce, Inc. (Kforce), una agencia de contratación con 36 oficinas por todo Estados Unidos. El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que Kforce vulneró la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés) al discriminar a no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. con permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos cuando los excluyó de oportunidades laborales con base en sus estatus de ciudadanía.

«Las compañías no pueden, de manera, ilícita, excluir a personas que tienen permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos de oportunidades laborales debido a estatus de ciudadanía», dijo Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia seguirá haciendo responsables a aquellos que incurran en conductas que vulneran las leyes de derechos civiles de nuestro país».

La investigación del Departamento determinó que, desde al menos el 1 de marzo del 2019 hasta el 28 de febrero del 2022, Kforce distribuyó anuncios de empleo que contenían restricciones de contratación ilícitas basadas en el estatus de ciudadanía o de otro modo eliminó a candidatos en función de su estatus de ciudadanía. Estas acciones perjudicaron a los trabajadores a los que se les ha otorgado el asilo o el estatus de refugiado, así como a los residentes permanentes legales, al disuadirles, de manera ilícita, de presentar una solicitud para los anuncios de trabajo y no considerar, de forma significativa, a aquellos que sí solicitaron un trabajo. 

En virtud de los términos del acuerdo, Kforce pagará $690,000 en sanciones civiles a los Estados Unidos y destinará otros $230,000 para compensar a los trabajadores afectados. El acuerdo también requiere que Kforce capacite a su personal en cuanto a los requisitos de la INA, que revise sus políticas de empleo y que se someta a los requisitos de supervisión y declaración departamentales.

La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados (IER, por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. Entre otras cosas, por lo general, la ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación.  

Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito o visualizar una presentación a la carta; enviar un correo electrónico a IER@usdoj.gov; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español. Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico desde IER.

A federal court on Nov. 14 enjoined an Arizona CEO and its company, which distributed a product marketed as a contraceptive from selling and distributing unapproved new drugs in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

In a civil complaint for permanent injunction filed on Oct. 12 in the District of Arizona, the United States alleges that Smart Women’s Choice and its CEO, Jennifer A. Richard, sold and distributed “Smart Women’s Choice,” a cream marketed as a contraceptive, to consumers across the country. The complaint alleges that the defendants sold the product through a website that claimed the product was “hormone-free,” “formulated to be used as a stand-alone contraceptive” and “99.8% effective.” According to the complaint, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found no published, adequate and well-controlled clinical investigations or any other scientific literature demonstrating that the product was safe and effective for its intended use as a contraceptive.

In May 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Smart Women’s Choice, explaining that the sale and distribution of the product was prohibited under the FDCA. According to the complaint, the company continued to make the same unproven claims about the product after receiving the warning letter and took no corrective action. The product never received FDA approval.

“Drug distributors are obligated to comply with the FDCA, which is designed to protect consumers and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drugs they take,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work closely with the FDA to stop the distribution of unapproved new drugs.”

“Americans expect and deserve drugs that have been scientifically proven to be safe, effective and of high quality,” said Director Jill Furman of the Office of Compliance for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The FDA remains fully committed to taking enforcement action against companies and executives responsible for marketing unapproved drugs in violation of federal law.”

The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the federal court permanently enjoins the defendants from violating the FDCA and requires them to comply with federal drug safety regulations before selling any drugs.  

Trial Attorney Carolyn Rice of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch is handling the case with the assistance of Associate Chief Counsel Aravind Sreenath of the FDA’s Office of the General Counsel.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

The claims resolved by the resolution announced today are only allegations. There has been no determination of liability.

A federal grand jury in Denver returned an indictment yesterday charging a Colorado woman with willfully failing to account for and pay over employment taxes for several years.

According to the indictment, Shandel Arkadie, of Agate, operated a home health care business, Alternative Choice Home Care Nursing LLC (ACHCN). From at least 2015 through 2020, ACHCN allegedly withheld income, Social Security and Medicare taxes from its employees’ wages. Arkadie allegedly did not timely file ACHCN’s quarterly employment tax returns or pay the withholdings to the IRS, despite being legally required to do so. Arkadie is alleged to have caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $500,000.

If convicted, Arkadie faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each employment tax count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Julia Rugg and Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

An Illinois woman pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Vervia Watts, of Lansing, operated a tax preparation business for clients in Illinois and elsewhere. From January 2017 through June 2023, Watts prepared and filed individual income tax returns for her clients, intentionally reporting false education expenses and business income to obtain refunds from the IRS in amounts greater than they were entitled to receive. Watts received at least $300 for each return she prepared, which, in total, claimed more than $1.5 million in fraudulent refunds.

Watts is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 14, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Watts also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Meredith Havekost and Regina Jeon of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

A Minnesota man pleaded guilty yesterday for attempting to evade his federal income taxes by submitting an incomplete bankruptcy filing.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2000 until 2023, Robert Schlosser, of Prior Lake, owned and operated a business that installs Christmas lighting, special event lighting and decoration displays for its customers. In 2018, Schlosser filed for bankruptcy and listed the IRS as a creditor for his unpaid federal income taxes. As part of the bankruptcy, Schlosser was required to sign and file, under penalty of perjury, a bankruptcy petition and schedules providing information regarding his assets, income and other financial affairs. Schlosser attempted to evade the payment of his delinquent taxes by filing false bankruptcy schedules that concealed assets to hinder IRS collection efforts. In total, Schlosser admitted that his conduct resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of $429,848.

Schlosser faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Thomas Flynn and Samuel Robins of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Colin Kreuziger of the U.S. Trustee Program.

The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland following today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of State that the United States will provide $1 million to the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine (ICPA), which was established in The Hague at Eurojust with the support of the European Commission:

“The United States stands in steadfast and unwavering support for the people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy against the brutal and unjust war being waged by the Russian regime.

That is why, earlier this year, I traveled to The Hague to announce the appointment of the first U.S. prosecutor in nearly 80 years to be engaged in efforts to build cases on the crime of aggression, Jessica Kim.

As the U.S. Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression, Jessica has been and will continue to work closely with the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine, which was established at Eurojust with the support of the European Commission. The resources announced today by the State Department will build on this important work.

This announcement, and the Justice Department’s continued work alongside our Ukrainian and international partners make clear that we are not waiting for the hostilities to end before pursuing justice and accountability. We are gathering evidence and building cases so that when the time comes, the United States and our partners will be ready to ensure accountability for Russia’s war of aggression.”

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today held a formal investiture ceremony for the Data Protection Review Court (DPRC) at the Justice Department, formally swearing in six judges of the eight-member, fully independent court, following the Constitutional oath they have already taken, and marking another milestone in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). 

“In October 2022, I issued new regulations establishing the Data Protection Review Court to serve as the second level of a new redress process established by the President’s Executive Order on Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals Intelligence Activities,” said Attorney General Garland. “Although this court has been established at the Department of Justice, its judges will independently decide what remedies, if any, are appropriate for the cases in front of them, and the intelligence agencies will be expected to abide by their decisions.”

Last October, the Attorney General issued regulations creating the DPRC within the Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties at the Department of Justice.  The DPRC serves as the second level of the new redress process established by the President through Executive Order 14086, which also strengthened other safeguards for U.S. signals intelligence activities. The DPRC will independently review determinations made by the Civil Liberties Protection Officer of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in response to qualifying complaints sent by individuals through appropriate public authorities that allege certain violations of U.S. law in the conduct of U.S. signals intelligence activities.

The Executive Order and the new Justice Department regulations are a critical part of the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and the UK-U.S. Data Bridge Extension. These arrangements reflect the strength of U.S. partnerships with the European Union and the United Kingdom and the shared commitment to the rule of law and respect for the value of individual privacy.  

Two additional judges were unable to attend today’s ceremony in person.

The judges on the court include:

• James E. Baker
• Rajesh De
• James X. Dempsey
• Mary B. DeRosa
• Thomas B. Griffith
• Eric H. Holder Jr.
• David F. Levi
• Virginia A Seitz

For full bios and more information on the Data protection Review Court, visit https://www.justice.gov/opcl/redress-data-protection-review-court.

Also in attendance at the investiture ceremony was Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD), European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders and members of NSD, the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State, ODNI, and the National Security Council.

St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith today announced that Kishawn Lopez, 35, of St. Croix, was charged and detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson after being charged with Possession of firearms and ammunition by a Convicted Felon.

“The rate of gun violence in the Virgin Islands is unacceptable, and the proliferation of ghost guns and other illegal firearms is a main source of the problem,” said United States Attorney Smith. “Working in collaboration with our federal and local law enforcement partners, we are committed to taking ghost guns and other illegal firearms off the streets. Targeting firearms traffickers and those who illegally possess firearms is a priority for this office, and those who commit such crimes will be brought to justice.”

According to court documents, on November 8, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Lopez’s Frederiksted home. During the search, agents recovered more than 30 firearms, including multiple “ghost guns,” assault rifles, and other handguns. “Ghost guns” are assembled from firearm kits which can be purchased from various kit manufacturers or secondary retailers. “Ghost guns” are unregistered, lack serial numbers and are untraceable. During the search, agents also recovered approximately 5830 rounds of ammunition and a cache of extended magazines. In 2011, Lopez was convicted of firearm possession in federal court, and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.

This investigation is part of the Virgin Islands Violent Crime Task Force which consists of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspections Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, United States Marshal Services, and the Virgin Islands Police Department. The mission of the Violent Crime Task Force is to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice individuals that plague the Virgin Islands community with acts of drug and gun violence.

“This collaboration with law enforcement partners is an essential element towards combatting violent crime and illicit activities in our area of responsibility” said Homeland Security Investigations Resident Agent in Charge Bernhardt Simmonds. Our agency remains steadfast in our fight against weapons trafficking into the Virgin Islands, which contributes to the uptick in violent crimes in our territory.”

“These individuals pose the greatest threat to the safety and health of our citizens”, stated Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster. “We will continue to allocate all our law enforcement resources to make a greater impact in vulnerable areas where criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking are causing greater damage.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yasir Sadat and Evan Rikhye. United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that a complaint is merely an allegation that a crime was committed, and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A federal court last week permanently enjoined a Houston-area tax return preparer and her business from preparing federal tax returns for others, among other related prohibitions.

Crystal Ojeda and her tax return preparation business, Money Market Tax Company LLC, consented to a permanent injunction in an order entered against them on Nov. 9. The complaint filed earlier this year alleges that Ojeda prepared over 10,000 federal income tax returns during 2018-2023 from her business Money Market Tax Company LLC, as well as through two separate sole proprietorships: Money Market Financial Services and Money Market Financial. The complaint further alleges that in a substantial number of these tax returns, Ojeda significantly overstated her customers’ tax refund amounts by fabricating or inflating business losses, medical and dental expenses and charitable contributions. In addition, the complaint alleges that for some customers’ returns, Ojeda falsely claimed residential energy credits to which her customers were not entitled.

By repeatedly understating her customers’ tax liabilities, Ojeda allegedly caused the United States harm of an estimated $4.8 million in tax revenue just from the years 2020 to 2022, and millions more from earlier years.

In addition to other prohibitions, the injunction order prohibits Ojeda and her business from acting as a federal tax-return preparer for any person or entity other than on their own behalf and from using or obtaining any Preparer Tax Identification Number or Electronic Filing Identification Number.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard personal information.

In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

A Texas man, formerly of Chicago, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for mail fraud arising out of a scheme to fraudulently obtain tax refunds from the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately June 2010 through January 2014, Lamar “Cory” Thompson obtained the Social Security numbers of individuals in the Chicago area and persuaded them to get fingerprinted under the false pretense that they would be working for him as tax return preparers. Thompson used this personal information without the knowledge of these individuals to unlawfully obtain Electronic Filing Identification Numbers, Preparer Tax Identification Numbers and Employer Identification Numbers from the IRS for the purpose of filing fraudulent tax returns. Thompson knew the personal information would be used to prepare and file false tax returns claiming refunds in the names of other individuals and cause the IRS to issue fraudulent tax refunds. In furtherance of this scheme, Thompson caused bank accounts to be opened in the names of others and used these accounts to deposit and withdraw the fraudulently-obtained tax refunds. In total, Thompson attempted to obtain approximately $1,549,342 in fraudulent tax refunds from the IRS.

In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah for the Northern District of Illinois ordered Thompson to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution to the United States in the amount of $908,727.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Mahana Weidler and Boris Bourget of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.

Marking 37 years since Congress passed the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the Justice Department announced today that it secured an agreement with Cox Communications Inc., a Georgia-based provider of residential and business telecommunication services to resolve claims of discrimination.

Specifically, this agreement resolves the department’s determination that Cox Communications violated the INA by using a Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) on-campus recruiting platform to post dozens of discriminatory job advertisements that unlawfully excluded students and alumni based on their citizenship status. The department previously secured agreements with 30 other employers to resolve similar claims — 16 in June 2022, four in September 2022 and another 10 in May 2023 — and with Georgia Tech in August 2023.

“With this latest resolution, the Justice Department has now held Georgia Tech and 31 employers accountable for their roles in unlawful hiring discrimination based on students’ citizenship status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These agreements have secured more than $2.5 million in civil penalties and demonstrate the department’s commitment to ensuring that college students and graduates embarking on their careers have a fair chance to compete for jobs.”

The department started its investigations after a Georgia Tech student, who was then a lawful permanent resident, complained about a U.S. citizens-only internship advertisement on Georgia Tech’s on-campus job recruitment platform. The department’s investigation of the student’s complaint revealed dozens of other discriminatory advertisements on the platform, including several posted by Cox Communications. The department found that Cox Communications posted numerous job advertisements that unlawfully excluded workers granted asylum or refugee status, lawful permanent residents and, in one instance, U.S. citizens. The department also determined that Cox Communications used features of Georgia Tech’s online platform to deter and automatically exclude qualified students from applying because of their citizenship status.

Under this agreement, Cox Communications is required to pay a civil penalty of $459,895 and to train its recruiting staff on the INA’s anti-discrimination provision. The agreement also prohibits Cox Communications from including specific citizenship or immigration status designations in their campus job postings unless the restrictions are legally required.

This agreement is part of the department’s efforts to combat discrimination related to artificial intelligence and automated systems, as described in the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. 

The INA’s anti-discrimination provision was passed as part of the Immigration Reform and Control Act in November 1986. This law prohibits employers and recruiters from limiting jobs based on citizenship or immigration status unless required by a law, regulation, executive order or government contract. The INA protects those granted asylum or refugee status, recent lawful permanent residents, U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals from citizenship status discrimination in hiring, firing and recruitment or referral for a fee.

Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. IER’s website has more information on how employers can avoid discriminating based on citizenship status when hiring and recruiting. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email IER@usdoj.gov; sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER.

View the settlement agreement here.

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a landmark agreement with Apple Inc. (Apple) to resolve allegations that Apple illegally discriminated in hiring and recruitment against U.S. citizens and certain non-U.S. citizens whose permission to live in and work in the United States does not expire.

Under the agreement, Apple is required to pay up to $25 million in backpay and civil penalties, the largest award that the department has recovered under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality act (INA).

“Creating unlawful barriers that make it harder for someone to seek a job because of their citizenship status will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This resolution reflects the Civil Rights Division’s commitment to ending illegal discriminatory employment practices.”

The settlement agreement resolves the department’s determination that Apple violated the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements during Apple’s recruitment for positions falling under the permanent labor certification program (PERM). The PERM program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It allows employers to sponsor workers for lawful permanent resident status in the United States after completing recruitment and meeting other program requirements. Any U.S. employer that utilizes the PERM program cannot illegally discriminate in hiring or recruitment based on citizenship or immigration status.

The department’s investigation, which started in February 2019, found that Apple engaged in a pattern or practice of citizenship status discrimination in recruitment for positions it hired through PERM, and that the company’s unlawful discrimination prejudiced U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and those granted asylum or refugee status. These less effective recruitment practices deterred protected workers from applying to positions that Apple preferred to fill instead with PERM beneficiaries.

Specifically, the department’s investigation found that Apple did not advertise positions Apple sought to fill through the PERM program on its external job website, even though its standard practice was to post other job positions on this website. It also required all PERM position applicants to mail paper applications, even though the company permitted electronic applications for other positions. In some instances, Apple did not consider certain applications for PERM positions from Apple employees if those applications were submitted electronically, as opposed to paper applications submitted through the mail. These less effective recruitment procedures nearly always resulted in few or no applications to PERM positions from applicants whose permission to work does not expire.  

Pursuant to the $25 million agreement, Apple is required to pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and establish an $18.25 million back pay fund for eligible discrimination victims. The agreement also requires Apple to ensure that its recruitment for PERM positions more closely matches its standard recruitment practices.

Specifically, Apple will be required to conduct more expansive recruitment for all PERM positions, including posting PERM positions on its external job website, accepting electronic applications, and enabling applicants to PERM positions to be searchable in its applicant tracking system. Apple has implemented some of these measures after the department opened its investigation. Additionally, Apple will train its employees on the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements and be subject to departmental monitoring for the three-year period of the agreement.

The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the INA’s anti-discrimination provision. This law prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; and retaliation and intimidation. Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video or watch an on-demand presentation. Find more information on how employers can avoid discrimination when hiring and recruiting on IER’s website.  

Workers who have questions about this settlement can contact IER at 1-888-473-3897 or ierapplecase@usdoj.gov. The public can get more information about how to get help from IER by visiting IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER.

View the settlement agreement here.

View Attachment A here.

The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in two consolidated lawsuits seeking to protect the right to interstate travel, including the right to travel to another state to obtain an abortion that is legal in the destination state. The statement of interest explains that the Constitution protects the right to travel across state lines and engage in conduct that is lawful where it is performed and that states cannot prevent third parties from assisting others in exercising that right. The statement argues that the Alabama Attorney General’s threatened prosecutions of individuals for providing assistance to people seeking lawful out-of-state abortions are therefore unconstitutional. The cases are Yellowhammer Fund v. Marshall and West Alabama Women’s Center, et al., v. Marshall.

“As I said the day Dobbs was decided, bedrock constitutional principles dictate that women who reside in states that have banned access to comprehensive reproductive care must remain free to seek that care in states where it is legal,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This filing demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to defending the constitutional right to travel and to protecting reproductive freedom under federal law.”

“The Reproductive Rights Task Force has been scrutinizing state laws and enforcement actions that threaten to infringe on federal protections of reproductive rights, including illegal attempts to prevent interstate travel,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Today’s filing is just one part of the Justice Department’s ongoing work to use all available tools to safeguard reproductive freedoms protected by the Constitution and federal law.”

“Alabama may not infringe the constitutional right to travel in order to meet its policy goals,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Civil Division will continue to assert the interests of the United States.”

The Department’s statement of interest explains that the right to travel from one state to another is firmly embedded in the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence and the Constitution. It notes that Justice Kavanaugh — one of the five justices who formed the majority in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — has explained that the question of whether a State may “bar a resident of that State from traveling to another State to obtain an abortion” is “not especially difficult” — “the answer is no based on the constitutional right to interstate travel.” The Department’s filing also explains that the Supreme Court has held that states may not prevent third parties from assisting others in exercising their right to travel. Further, the statement of interest explains that because of these precedents, the Alabama Attorney General may not criminalize third-party assistance for interstate travel, particularly where the sole purpose of those prosecutions is to impede individuals’ exercise of their constitutional rights.

The plaintiffs in these cases are organizations and individuals within Alabama seeking to facilitate individuals’ access to legal, out-of-state abortions. They brought suit in response to the Alabama Attorney General’s argument that he may criminally prosecute individuals within Alabama who assist others in obtaining legal, out-of-state abortions. Specifically, the Alabama Attorney General contends that providing assistance within Alabama to someone seeking an out-of-state abortion constitutes a criminal conspiracy, regardless of whether the abortion is legal in the state where it is performed, as long as the abortion would be illegal if performed within Alabama. Plaintiffs have challenged the Alabama Attorney General’s threatened conspiracy prosecutions on a variety of grounds, including as being inconsistent with the Constitution’s right to travel.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs overturning Roe v. Wade, the Justice Department has worked with commitment and urgency to defend the reproductive freedoms that are protected by federal law. The Reproductive Rights Task Force, led by Associate Attorney General Gupta, consists of senior officials and dedicated staff from across a dozen Department components who are working daily to address complex and widespread threats to reproductive health in the wake of Dobbs. Since the Task Force was formed, one of its core responsibilities has been to assess state and local legislation and enforcement actions that threaten to impair women’s right to seek reproductive care in states where it is legal and to coordinate appropriate federal government responses to those actions, including proactive and defensive legal action where appropriate. Additional information on the work of the Task Force can be found at www.justice.gov/reproductive-rights.

The Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit under the Sherman Act and Packers and Stockyards Act today against Koch Foods Incorporated (Koch), the fifth largest poultry processor in the United States. The complaint alleges that Koch anticompetitively and unfairly required chicken farmers, or growers, to pay Koch a termination penalty to switch from working for Koch to a rival chicken processor. At the same time, the department filed a proposed consent decree that would prohibit Koch from penalizing growers for switching processors and require Koch to return certain expenses, fees and penalties it unlawfully imposed on growers who tried to work for other chicken processors.

“Antitrust and competition laws protect growers’ right to benefit from competition for their products, their services and their labor,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Kades of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This enforcement action marks another important step in the division’s renewed partnership with the Department of Agriculture to promote free and fair competition and reinvigorate enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.”

“The Packers and Stockyards Act stands for fairness, and that’s what this enforcement action today delivers,” said Senior Advisor for Fair and Competitive Markets Andy Green of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). “This action to protect growers’ right to compete signals the joint commitment of the USDA and Justice Department to open competitive markets.”

The complaint alleges that Koch, which operates processing facilities in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, deterred farmers from switching to other processors by requiring them to repay a substantial share of their income as a penalty if they terminated their contract. As alleged in the complaint, Koch’s termination penalty, which varies across chicken growers, amounted to more than half of most growers’ total annual take-home income and sometimes more than one year’s entire take-home earnings. Koch used the threat of the termination penalty to discourage growers from switching to Koch’s competitors and sued or threatened to sue more than a dozen family farmers who tried to switch to a Koch competitor. 

Accordingly, the termination penalty operated as an anticompetitive, de facto noncompete clause, in violation of the Sherman Act. The penalty provision is also an unfair practice or device in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act, a landmark statute passed in 1921 that protects livestock and poultry producers.

At the same time, the Antitrust Division filed a proposed consent decree to address its competition concerns. If approved by the court, the proposed consent decree would require Koch to:

• Inform all current growers with contracts containing a termination penalty provision that Koch will not enforce the provision;
• Reimburse growers for all termination penalty payments and out-of-pocket legal expenses incurred as a result of Koch enforcing the termination penalty;
• Refrain from including a termination penalty obligation in any grower contracts and from taking any steps to collect any termination penalty payments for the next seven years;
• Refrain from retaliating against, intimidating or harassing any grower who is involved in any dispute over a termination penalty or who cooperated with the Justice Department or USDA in their investigations of Koch’s termination penalty practices; and
• Meet certain reporting and compliance obligations including an annual certification for the next seven years that Koch is complying with the proposed final judgment.

Today’s lawsuit and proposed consent decree are the second recent Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement action referred to the Justice Department by the USDA. In June, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland entered a consent decree to resolve an action alleging that the “tournament system” used by processor Wayne-Sanderson Farms to compensate chicken farmers violated the Packers and Stockyards Act.

As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed consent decree, along with the competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed consent decree during a 60-day comment period to Chief, Civil Conduct Task Force, Antitrust Division, Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 8600, Washington, D.C. 20530. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.

Anyone with information about anticompetitive conduct in agricultural industries or any other violations of the antitrust laws is encouraged to contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258 or antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov. Information about anticompetitive practices in livestock and poultry markets can also be submitted to the USDA’s and Justice Department’s Agricultural Markets Enforcement Partnership at www.farmerfairness.gov.

View the complaint here.

View the memo here.

An indictment was unsealed in the District of Columbia today charging a foreign national with international fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana trafficking.

According to court documents, between January 2017 and April 2021, Juan Carlos Morgan Huerta, aka Cacayo, conspired to import large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana from Mexico into the United States. 

Morgan Huerta is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one kilogram or more of heroin, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana for importation into the United States. If convicted, Morgan Huerta faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram, and Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) supported the case.

The FBI Tucson Field Office, OCDETF Strike Force, DEA Nogales Field Division, and HSI Tucson Field Office are investigating this case.

Trial Attorneys Kirk Handrich and Lernik Begian of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations provided significant assistance.  

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha obtenido un acuerdo histórico con Apple Inc. (Apple) para resolver las acusaciones de que Apple discriminó ilegalmente en su contratación y reclutamiento, a ciudadanos de los EE. UU. y a ciertos no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. cuyo permiso para vivir y trabajar en los Estados Unidos no vence.

En virtud del acuerdo, Apple está obligada a pagar hasta $25 millones en pago retroactivo y sanciones civiles, la mayor concesión que el Departamento ha recuperado en virtud de la disposición antidiscriminación de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés).

«La creación de barreras ilícitas que le dificultan a alguien buscar un trabajo debido a su estatus de ciudadanía no se tolerará», dijo Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Esta resolución refleja el compromiso de la División de Derechos Civiles de acabar con las prácticas de empleo discriminatorias ilegales».

El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento de que Apple infringió los requisitos antidiscriminatorios de la INA durante el reclutamiento de Apple para puestos que forman parte del programa de certificación laboral permanente (PERM, por sus siglas en inglés). El programa PERM es administrado por el Departamento de Trabajo de los EE. UU. y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de los EE. UU. Permite a los empleadores patrocinar a los trabajadores para obtener el estatus de residente permanente legal en los Estados Unidos después de completar los pasos de reclutamiento requeridos y cumplir con otros requisitos del programa. Cualquier empleador en los Estados Unidos que utiliza el proceso PERM no puede discriminar ilegalmente en la contratación o el reclutamiento en función de la ciudadanía o el estatus migratorio.

La investigación del Departamento, que empezó en febrero del 2019, encontró que Apple incurrió en un patrón o una práctica de discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía en su reclutamiento para puestos que contrató a través del programa PERM, y que la discriminación ilícita de la compañía perjudicó a ciudadanos de los EE: UU., nacionales de los EE. UU., residentes permanentes legales y aquellos a los que se les ha concedido el asilo o el estatus de refugiado. Estas prácticas de contratación menos eficaces disuadieron a los trabajadores protegidos de solicitar vacantes que Apple prefirió llenar, en su lugar, con beneficiarios de PERM.   

En concreto, la investigación del Departamento determinó que Apple no publicaba puestos que Apple pretendía cubrir mediante el programa PERM en su sitio web de trabajo externo, aunque su práctica estándar era publicar otros puestos de trabajo en este sitio web. También exigía que todos los solicitantes de puestos PERM enviaran solicitudes en papel, aunque la empresa permitía solicitudes electrónicas para otros puestos. En algunos casos, Apple no consideró ciertas solicitudes para puestos PERM de los empleados de Apple si esas solicitudes se enviaron electrónicamente, en lugar de las solicitudes en papel enviadas por correo. El resultado de estos procedimientos de reclutamiento menos eficaces casi siempre era la escasa presentación de solicitudes, si es que alguna, para puestos PERM de solicitantes cuyo permiso para trabajar no vence.  

De conformidad con el acuerdo de $25 millones, a Apple se le requiere pagar $6,75 millones en sanciones civiles y establecer un fondo de pagos retroactivos de $18,25 millones para las víctimas de discriminación elegibles. Por otra parte, el acuerdo requiere que Apple se asegure de que su contratación para puestos PERM se ajuste más a sus prácticas habituales de contratación.

En concreto, Apple deberá realizar un reclutamiento más amplio para todos los puestos PERM, incluida la publicación de puestos PERM en su sitio web de empleo externo, la aceptación de solicitudes electrónicas y la posibilidad de buscar a candidatos para puestos PERM en su sistema de seguimiento de candidatos. Apple ha implementado algunas de estas medidas después de que el Departamento abriera su investigación. Además, Apple capacitará a sus empleados sobre los requisitos antidiscriminatorios de la INA y se someterá a la supervisión por parte del Departamento durante el período de tres años del acuerdo.

La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados (IER, por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. Esta ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión; prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación. Puede aprender más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo obtener asistencia a través de este vídeo corto o visualice una presentación a la carta. Hay más información disponible en el sitio web de la IER sobre cómo los empleadores pueden evitar la discriminación en los procesos de contratación y reclutamiento. 

Los trabajadores que tengan preguntas sobre este acuerdo pueden comunicarse con la IER al 1-888-473-3897 o ierapplecase@usdoj.gov. El público puede obtener más información sobre cómo conseguir ayuda de IER en los sitios web de la IER inglés y español. Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico de la IER.

View the settlement agreement here.

View Attachment A here.

En el 37º aniversario de la aprobación por parte del Congreso de la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés), el Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha logrado un acuerdo con Cox Communications Inc., un proveedor de servicios de telecomunicaciones residenciales y empresariales con sede en Georgia para resolver acusaciones de discriminación.

En concreto, este acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que Cox Communications vulneró la INA mediante el uso de una plataforma de reclutamiento en el recinto universitario del Instituto de Tecnología de Georgia («Georgia Tech») para publicar decenas de anuncios de empleo discriminatorios que excluyeron, de manera ilícita, a estudiantes y antiguos alumnos en función de su estatus de ciudadanía. Previamente, el Departamento llegó a un acuerdo con otros 30 empleadores para resolver acusaciones similares:16 en junio del 2022, cuatro en septiembre del 2022 y otros 10 en mayo del 2023—y con Georgia Tech en agosto del 2023.

«Con este último acuerdo, el Departamento de Justicia ha hecho a Georgia Tech y a 31 empleadores responsables del papel que han desempeñado en la discriminación ilícita en la contratación basada en el estatus de ciudadanía de los estudiantes», afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Estos acuerdos han obtenido más de $2.5 millones en sanciones civiles y demuestran el compromiso del Departamento de garantizar que los estudiantes universitarios y sus exalumnos que están comenzando sus carreras laborales tengan una oportunidad equitativa de competir por trabajos».

El Departamento inició sus investigaciones después de que un estudiante de Georgia Tech, que para aquel entonces era residente permanente legal, se quejó de un anuncio de prácticas restringido a ciudadanos de los EE. UU. en la plataforma de reclutamiento laboral en el recinto universitario de Georgia Tech. La investigación del Departamento de la denuncia del estudiante reveló decenas de otros anuncios discriminatorios en la plataforma, incluidos varios publicados por Cox Communications. El Departamento descubrió que Cox Communications publicó numerosos anuncios de trabajo que excluían, de manera ilegal, a los trabajadores a los que se les ha concedido el asilo o el estatus de refugiado, residentes permanentes legales y, en un caso, ciudadanos estadounidenses. Por otra parte, el Departamento también determinó que Cox Communications utilizó características de la plataforma en línea de Georgia Tech para disuadir y excluir automáticamente a los estudiantes calificados de solicitar puestos de trabajo, debido a su estatus de ciudadanía.

Este acuerdo requiere que Cox Communications pague una sanción civil de $459,895 y que capacite a su personal de reclutamiento en cuanto a la disposición antidiscriminación de la INA. El acuerdo también prohíbe a Cox Communications incluir designaciones específicas de ciudadanía o estatus migratorio en sus anuncios de trabajo en el recinto universitario, a menos que las restricciones sean legalmente obligatorias.

Este acuerdo forma parte de los esfuerzos del Departamento por combatir la discriminación relacionada con la inteligencia artificial y los sistemas automatizados, como se describe en la Orden ejecutiva sobre el desarrollo y uso seguro y fiable de la inteligencia artificial.

La disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA se aprobó como parte de la ley de Reforma y Control de la Inmigración en noviembre de 1986. Esta ley prohíbe que los empleadores y reclutadores restrinjan los trabajos en función de la ciudadanía o el estatus migratorio, a menos que lo exija una ley, una regulación, una orden ejecutiva o un contrato gubernamental. La INA protege a aquellos a los que se les ha concedido el asilo o el estatus de refugiado, residentes permanentes legales recientes, ciudadanos de los EE. UU. y nacionales de los EE. UU. de la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía en los procesos de contratación, despido y reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión.

Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. El sitio web de la IER tiene más información sobre cómo los empleadores pueden evitar la discriminación a base del estatus de ciudadanía al contratar y reclutar. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1‑800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); enviar un correo electrónico a IER@usdoj.gov; inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito o visualizar una presentación a la carta; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español. Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico de la IER.

View the settlement agreement here.

St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Keyran Coto Lopez, 28, of Costa Rica, was sentenced by District Judge Wilma Lewis to 46 months of incarceration following his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute marijuana onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

According to court documents, on November 7, 2022, while on patrol in international waters in the Eastern Pacific, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Campbell intercepted a go-fast vessel operating approximately 65 nautical miles South of Boca Chica, Panama, with no physical flag flown and no registration documents. Coast Guard officials also observed contraband on the deck of the go-fast vessel and three individuals later identified as Lopez, Alonso Hernandez-Hernandez and Luis Orellana-Orellana onboard. All three occupants claimed to be nationals of Costa Rica and claimed Colombian nationality for the go-fast vessel. The Colombian government neither confirmed nor denied nationality of the vessel thereby subjecting it to the jurisdiction of the United States. A search of the go-fast vessel resulted in the recovery of 4,104 pounds of marijuana. Hernandez-Hernandez and Orellana-Orellana also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Leandro De Los Santos, 33, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by Judge Wilma A. Lewis to 70 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 630 kilograms of cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

According to court documents, on September 11, 2022, while on routine patrol south of the Dominican Republic, United States Coast Guard Cutter U.S.S. Billings intercepted a go-fast vessel navigating on a northerly course approximately 80 nautical miles south of Bani, Dominican Republic. The vessel had no flag flown, no registration numbers and no name painted on its hull. The Dominican Republic Navy later confirmed that the vessel was not registered with their country, and it was therefore treated as a vessel without nationality thereby subjecting it to the jurisdiction of the United States. Onboard the vessel, the U.S.S. Billings boarding team detained De Los Santos and Victor Reyes-Martinez and recovered 630 kilograms of cocaine. On March 30, 2023, Reyes-Martinez pleaded guilty on March 30, 2023, and was sentenced to 57 months incarceration.

This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Rikhye. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

A federal grand jury in Sherman, Texas, returned an indictment today charging a Texas man with tax evasion and corruptly obstructing the IRS for attempting to evade his personal federal income taxes by, among other things, using an abusive-trust tax shelter. In September, a federal grand jury in Denver charged him with conspiring with others to defraud the United States by promoting nationwide the same abusive-trust tax shelter.

According to the indictment, from 2001 to 2014, Larry Conner, of Frisco, Texas, filed his individual income tax returns but did not pay the income taxes reported due on those returns. Conner allegedly attempted to prevent the IRS from collecting the unpaid taxes by creating sham trusts to hide over $5 million in income he earned from 2016 through 2021 and other assets from the IRS. Conner allegedly signed trust instruments purporting to create five trusts and opened bank accounts in the name of each trust, which he used to pay for personal living expenses. The indictment alleges that Conner assigned virtually all his income to the sham trusts and filed false individual income tax returns that did not report the income he assigned to those sham trusts. 

The indictment further alleges that in 2018, Conner submitted a false form to the IRS as part of an offer to settle a portion of his tax debt. In the form, Conner allegedly understated his assets, omitted multiple bank accounts and falsely represented to the IRS that he did not run a business.

If convicted, Conner faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion and three years in prison for corruptly obstructing the IRS. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The pending Denver federal indictment charges Conner with conspiring to defraud the United States by promoting nationwide the same abusive-trust tax shelter that he allegedly used to evade his personal taxes as charged in today’s indictment. In that matter, Conner is alleged to have promoted and sold the abusive-trust tax shelter for approximately $25,000 to $50,000 per client, assuring them that they would continue to benefit from and control the income assigned to the sham trusts. In total, Conner’s promotion and sale of the tax shelter allegedly resulted in tens of millions of dollars in unpaid federal income taxes.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Amanda R. Scott and Lauren K. Pope and Senior Litigation Counsel Corey J. Smith of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A federal grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, returned an indictment that was unsealed today charging a Wall Street bond trader for a scheme to manipulate the U.S. Treasuries market.

“Securities fraud and manipulation, as alleged here, victimize investors and degrade the integrity of our public securities markets,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department will continue to protect our financial systems and investors by holding accountable those who violate our securities laws.”

According to court documents, between approximately April 2018 and May 2019, Jeyakumar Nadarajah, 39, who was employed as a director at a bank in New York and head of the desk that was responsible for trading U.S. Treasuries, allegedly engaged in a scheme to mislead market participants in the secondary (or cash) market for U.S. Treasuries. Nadarajah is alleged to have engaged in a spoofing and layering scheme that involved placing orders that he did not intend to execute in order to create the appearance of false supply and demand, and to fraudulently induce other market participants to trade at prices, quantities, and times that they otherwise would not have traded.

“There’s money to be made in the financial markets. And if there’s money to be made, it means that fraudsters are right there looking to take advantage of other market participants,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “Whether it’s a simple investment scam or a complex scheme like the one Mr. Nadarajah allegedly tried to pull off, Postal Inspectors are there to bring the scammers to justice.”

Nadarajah is charged with two counts of wire fraud, seven counts of securities fraud, and seven counts of securities manipulation. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, securities fraud, and securities manipulation.

USPIS is investigating the case.

Assistant Chief Scott Armstrong and Trial Attorney John J. Liolos of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A federal jury in Jackson, Mississippi, convicted Adam Earnest, Christopher Randell and James Klish yesterday of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Earnest and Randell were separately convicted of individual counts of preparing false tax returns.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Earnest, Randell and Klish worked at Sunbelt Tax Services, a return preparation business with a primary office located in Jackson,. Earnest, Randell and Klish conspired together and with others at Sunbelt Tax Services to fraudulently claim inflated tax refunds for clients by reporting false education credits, itemized deductions and business profits or losses. Earnest and Klish also created at least four tax returns for some of their clients claiming false items.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2024. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, and Earnest and Randell face a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each false return count on which they were found guilty. They also each face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department's Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Patrick Elwell, Zachary Cobb and Mary Frances Richardson of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission participated in the G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers’ Summit today to discuss the ways in which enforcers and policymakers are addressing competition concerns in digital markets.

The Summit was convened by the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers and hosted in Tokyo by Japan’s Secretariat of Headquarters for Digital Market Competition and the Japan Fair Trade Commission. The Antitrust Division was represented by Chief of Staff Joshua Tzuker, assisted by International Counsel Mark Niefer.

“We thank Japan for organizing such a productive and important event,” said Chief of Staff Tzuker. “International cooperation is necessary if we are to protect consumers and workers from emerging risks to competition in digital markets around the world. The Summit was a significant step toward enhancing our collective efforts to protect digital market competition today and in the future.”

In preparation for the Summit, G7 members contributed to the Compendium of Approaches to Improving Competition in Digital Markets, which describes member efforts in digital markets. Japan also published the G7 Inventory of New Rules for Digital Markets and an accompanying Analytical Note which describe new or contemplated laws and regulations intended to address competition in digital markets.  

At the conclusion of the Summit, G7 competition authorities and policymakers issued a Digital Competition Communique, which describes a shared commitment to enforce competition laws and develop policies necessary to ensure that principles of fair competition are applied to digital markets. The Communique highlights competition concerns arising from emerging technologies, and it describes the ways in which G7 competition authorities and policymakers are enhancing their ability to better understand and anticipate the challenges to competition arising from new technologies such as generative AI. The Communique emphasizes that current competition law applies to AI and its uses, and that the G7 is committed to addressing any risks to competition associated with the rise of AI.   

WASHINGTON – Last week, INTERPOL Washington successfully launched a new phase of assistance to the Colombian government that will enhance its border security capabilities, improving its ability to detect and interdict transnational criminals and terrorists entering Colombia. Through Project TERMINUS, a technical team from INTERPOL Washington’s Border Security Division (BSD) worked on the ground in Bogotá to provide, install, and ensure effective operation of equipment that connects Colombian law enforcement authorities to INTERPOL databases.

“Project TERMINUS is bringing critical new law enforcement tools to our indispensable partners in Colombia,” said INTERPOL Washington BSD Deputy Assistant Director Keith Hood. “Close collaboration between nations is the only way to stop transnational crime and terrorism. By strengthening Colombia’s interconnection with INTERPOL, the world’s largest police organization, TERMINUS is making the world a safer place and protecting our communities.”

During the visit, the INTERPOL Washington technical team worked closely with National Central Bureau Bogotá and met with Colombian National Police representatives from each region of the country. They discussed the current threat landscape, challenges with irregular migration, and the security benefits of Project TERMINUS.

Project TERMINUS is a partnership established in 2016 between INTERPOL Washington’s BSD and the State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism. It helps deliver solid, actionable criminal intelligence in a secure manner around the world by extending INTERPOL’s I-24/7 secure global police communications system in high-risk areas and select host nations globally. Through Project TERMINUS, expert technical assistance is made available to countries seeking to integrate access via the TERMINUS Tool Kit of Solutions, enhancing their ability to screen against the illicit international travel of transnational criminals and terrorists. Partner nations receiving assistance from Project TERMINUS include Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, The Republic of Georgia, and The Maldives.

A component of the U.S. Department of Justice, co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—is the designated U.S. representative to INTERPOL. It serves as the national point of contact and coordination for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.

Yesterday, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco and Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo convened the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force Deputies to coordinate lines of effort to ensure that Russia bears the legal consequences of its internationally wrongful acts. Today’s task force meeting convened experts across the U.S. government and international community to explore all possible avenues to aid Ukraine – consistent with respective legal systems and international law – and to ensure Ukraine is compensated for the loss, injury and damage resulting from Russia’s full-scale aggression.

As Russia continues to commit flagrant violations of international law, REPO members remain united that, consistent with their respective legal systems, Russia’s sovereign assets in REPO jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. Given the urgent needs of Ukraine and the paramount importance of holding Russia accountable for its illegal invasion of Ukraine, principals of the REPO Task Force plan to convene again later this year.

The Justice Department announced today that the city of Anoka, Minnesota, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act by denying tenants with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to receive emergency assistance.

Following a comprehensive investigation, the department found that through the city’s “crime-free” housing program, the city discouraged and prevented tenants with mental health disabilities and those associated with them from using its emergency response service. The department found that people with mental health disabilities and their families or service providers refrained from calling for help to avoid risking their current housing or future housing prospects.

“Using a so-called ‘crime-free’ housing ordinance to invoke fear and prevent people with mental health disabilities from exercising their right to access housing and seek emergency assistance is discriminatory and runs afoul of our nation's civil rights laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “This scheme is cloaked as a public safety measure but in reality it callously targets people with disabilities and their loved ones by penalizing them simply for reaching out for emergency assistance in times of need. The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that every person, including those with disabilities, can access emergency services and enjoy access to fair housing without fear of retaliation.”

Under the city’s rental licensing and so-called “crime free” housing ordinance, the city can penalize landlords for “nuisance calls” to their properties. Nuisance calls include disorderly conduct and what the city describes as repeated “unfounded” calls to the police. The city can issue fines and revoke the landlord’s license if the landlord does not pursue eviction after nuisance calls to their property. When tenants with mental health disabilities and those associated with them (like their families or landlords) requested or received emergency assistance, they risked eviction, fines or loss of a rental license. 

For years, the city also sent weekly reports to licensed landlords detailing all calls for emergency service from all rental properties. Along with a general description, each report included the name and address of those involved and often revealed personal and sensitive information about the person’s mental health disabilities, such as their diagnoses, medications and names of psychiatric or medical providers. Some even shared intimate details about suicide attempts. The city used these reports to notify landlords of potential nuisance calls and encourage landlords to evict tenants.

The department provided its findings and minimum remedial measures necessary in a letter to the city. Specifically, the department asks the city to change its policies and procedures, designate an ADA coordinator, and train staff.

The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota investigated the case. 

People with information about these findings are encouraged to contact the department via email at Anoka@usdoj.gov or by calling a toll-free number at 888-473-3940. For more information on the ADA, please visit ADA.gov or call the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TTY 833-610-1264).

View the letter of findings here.

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 to reaffirm the Department’s close partnership with foreign counterparts to stop the flow of sensitive technologies to foreign adversaries. AAG Olsen was joined by the Disruptive Technology Strike Force co-lead Assistant Secretary (AS) Matthew Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security. AAG Olsen thereafter traveled to Berlin, Germany, where he met with German counterparts and  gave remarks at the U.S. Embassy during a roundtable discussion hosted by the American Academy.

The trip follows the creation of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force earlier this year. Co-led by AAG Olsen and AS Axelrod, the Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement effort targeting illicit actors, protecting supply chains and preventing critical technologies from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Senior officials from the FBI and Justice Department participated in the trip, including Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Counselor to the Attorney General for International Affairs Bruce Swartz and the Resident Legal Advisor in Kyiv, Jared Kimball.

While in Kyiv, the Strike Force delegation met with foreign counterparts and their staff, including Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin; Deputies Andrii Haichenko and Iryna Mudra of the Ukraine Ministry of Justice; Deputy Head of Security Service Olsekandr Poklad; and Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleksandr Lytvynenko. The delegation also visited the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice (KFI), a leading institution in the field of forensic examinations, housed within the Ministry of Justice and overseen by Director Oleksandr Ruvin and Deputy Director Dr. Nataliia Nestor. The visit to KFI gave the delegation the opportunity to view weapons recovered from the front lines, including ballistic missiles, air-guided missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Throughout the visit, AAG Olsen emphasized the U.S. government’s continued commitment to undermining the Russian government’s ability to obtain critical technology used in UAVs and other weapons systems to support its unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine. Olsen additionally described the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to bring criminal prosecutions and other enforcement actions aimed at stopping the illicit transfer of export-controlled, military-grade technology. The two governments further discussed opportunities for the Ukrainian government to support this work, including through information sharing and the exchange of best practices of forensic analysis.

From Berlin, AAG Olsen gave remarks at and participated in a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Embassy hosted by the American Academy. He also met with officials from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, including State Secretary Hans-Georg Engelke, and officials from the Germany Federal Ministry of Justice.

An estimated 10 million doses of controlled substances have been seized, including eight million doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder. The total street value of the drugs seized is upwards of $8 million. Three men have been arrested in connection with allegedly running this large-scale drug trafficking organization (DTO) on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Emilio Garcia, also known as 6, 25, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute; Sebastien Bejin, also known as Bash, 33, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute; and Deiby Felix, 40, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged with one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. The defendants will appear in U.S. District Court on Nov. 13. 

According to the charging documents, in July 2023, an investigation into an overdose death in Salem, Massachusetts, led investigators to a DTO allegedly led by Garcia, Bejin, and Felix. The defendants were surveilled for three months, which culminated in search warrants at locations identified in the investigation, and their arrests on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

On Nov. 1, searches were conducted at four locations in Lynn. These were identified as locations frequented by Garcia and Bejin. The searches resulted in, what is believed to be, one of the largest single-location seizures of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Massachusetts and the region. Over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of controlled substances were seized. The seizure included nine kilograms (20 pounds) of pink heart shaped fentanyl-laced pills pressed to look like candy.

In total, an estimated eight million individual doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder was seized. The street value is believed to be upwards of $8 million.

More specifically, according to the charging documents, the following drug quantities were seized from the basement of a two-family residential home that was occupied by multiple families and small children:

• More than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of white powder and rock like substances which field tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine base;
• More than 17 kilograms (37 pounds) of suspected raw methamphetamine which equates to approximately more than 3.5 million individual doses;
• Approximately 280,000 counterfeit Percocet pills, believed to contain fentanyl, weighing 28 kilograms (61 pounds) with a street value in the range of approximately $1.4 million to over $7 million;
• More than 27 kilograms (59 pounds) of counterfeit Adderall pills, believed to contain methamphetamine; and
• Approximately 1.8 kilograms (four pounds) of brown rock and powder-like substances, which tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. This quantity of fentanyl equates to about 900,000 individual doses.

Additional narcotics and five firearms were also seized during the searches.

“The only thing more depraved than trafficking deadly fentanyl is trafficking deadly fentanyl designed to look like candy to appeal to teenagers,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department is focused on attacking every link in the global fentanyl trafficking chain, and we will not stop until those responsible for the fentanyl poisoning epidemic are brought to justice. We also continue to urge families to have open and honest conversations about the urgent threat posed by this epidemic, and the fact that just one pill can kill.”

“This seizure by the FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force saved lives in communities throughout Massachusetts,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Not only was this seizure one of the largest in the history of Massachusetts, but some of the pills were created to look like candy, potentially presenting an enormous risk to children. The FBI will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in narcotics trafficking to keep drugs off our streets, and out of the hands of children.”

“The doses of controlled substances seized in this case exceed the number of residents in Massachusetts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. “The fact that we now are seeing fentanyl-laced pills pressed to resemble candy only underscores the urgency of this fentanyl crisis.”

Surveillance during the investigation revealed that Garcia and Bejin would travel to the Broadway stash location on a daily basis and then bring quantities of suspected from the premises to supply lower-level dealers. One such location that appeared to be supplied from the main stash location was an address at 341 Western Avenue in Lynn, where Deiby Felix is alleged to reside. A search of 341 Western Avenue revealed more than three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of pressed pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, consistent with those found in the Broadway stash location and a firearm.

The charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to do the same, each provide for a sentence of a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Boston Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Boston Division, IRS-Criminal Investigation in Boston, and the Chelsea, Lynnfield, Salem and Lynn Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Justice Department announced today its findings that four Texas counties violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by maintaining election websites that discriminate against individuals with vision or manual disabilities.

In public letters issued to Colorado County, Runnels County, Smith County and Upton County, the department detailed its findings following its investigation and asked the counties to work with the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas to resolve the identified civil rights violations.

“Voting is fundamental to American democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “It is imperative that all eligible voters with disabilities across the country have the information they need to access the ballot and exercise their right to vote in state and federal elections.”

The election websites for these four Texas counties provide important information about how to vote, such as registration requirements, identification requirements and voting information for people with disabilities. The websites also link to other critical information, including details about early voting and voting on election day.

The department found that the websites are not accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision, or who cannot grasp a mouse, and use screen readers, keyboards or other assistive technology. For example, on all four of the election websites, menus and links do not function properly for people who use a keyboard to navigate, and posted documents are inaccessible to people who use assistive technologies. Because the election websites are inaccessible, the counties deny people with vision and manual disabilities equal access to election programs and online services provided through these websites and fail to ensure effective communication with people with disabilities. 

These four investigations are part of the department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. People with information about these findings are encouraged to contact the department via email at TXWebsites@usdoj.gov, through the Civil Rights Division’s Civil Rights Portal, available at www.civilrights.justice.gov/, or by calling 888-473-2780. To read more about the ADA and how it applies to voting, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/voting/.

Today, the Attorneys General of Minnesota, California, North Carolina and Tennessee joined a civil antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division against Agri Stats Inc. for organizing and managing anticompetitive information exchanges among broiler chicken, pork and turkey processors. The Antitrust Division and the state Attorneys General filed an amended complaint in the District of Minnesota.

“We are pleased that our state law enforcement partners in Minnesota, California, North Carolina and Tennessee are joining our efforts to address these serious allegations,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We look forward to working closely with state Attorneys General to litigate this important case, which affects food prices for consumers across the country.”

Anyone with information about collusion in agricultural industries, competitors sharing competitively sensitive information (including price or compensation information) or any other violations of antitrust laws is encouraged to contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258 or antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov. Information about anticompetitive practices in livestock and poultry markets can also be submitted to the USDA and Justice Department’s Agricultural Markets Enforcement Partnership at www.farmerfairness.gov.

View the filing here. 

El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy sus hallazgos que cuatro condados en Texas, violaban el Título II de la Ley para Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990 (ADA por sus siglas en inglés), manteniendo sitios web electorales que discriminan contra individuos con discapacidades manuales o visuales.

En cartas públicas dirigidas a los Condados de Colorado, Runnels, Smith, y Upton, el departamento detalló los resultados de su investigación y les solicitó trabajar junto a la División de Derechos Civiles y las Fiscalías Federales para las regiones del Este, Norte, Sur y Oeste de Texas con el objetivo de resolver las violaciones de derechos civiles identificadas.

“El derecho al voto es fundamental para la democracia estadounidense” dijo Fiscal General Auxiliar Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Es imperativo que todas las personas con discapacidades elegibles para votar en todo el país, tengan la información que necesitan para acceder a la papeleta y ejercer su derecho en elecciones estatales y federales.”

Los sitios web electorales de estos cuatro condados tejanos brindan información importante sobre cómo votar. Por ejemplo, cuáles son los requisitos para el registro y la identificación del volante, así como, cuál es la información que necesitan las personas con discapacidades para votar. Los sitios web también contienen enlaces a información crítica, incluidos detalles sobre votación temprana y la votación el día de las elecciones.

El departamento determinó que los sitios web no son accesibles para individuos ciegos o que tienen visión reducida, o para los que no pueden agarrar un ratón de computadora y usan lectores de pantalla, teclados, u otra tecnología de apoyo. Por ejemplo, en todos los cuatro sitios web electorales, los menús y enlaces no funcionan correctamente para las personas que usan un teclado para navegar, y los documentos publicados son inaccesibles para aquellos que usan dichas tecnologías de apoyo. Debido a la inaccesibilidad de los sitios web electorales, los condados están negando a las personas con discapacidades visuales y manuales igual acceso a los programas electorales y a los servicios en línea proveídos a través de estos sitios. De ese modo, no logran los sitios web electorales asegurar una comunicación efectiva con las personas con discapacidades.

Estas cuatro investigaciones son parte de la Iniciativa de Votación ADA, la cual se enfoca en proteger los derechos de voto de los individuos con discapacidades. Se recomienda a las personas que tengan información sobre estos hallazgos que se comuniquen con el departamento por el correo electrónico TXWebsites@usdoj.gov, a través del Portal de la División de Derechos Civiles disponible en: www.civilrights.justice.gov/, o por teléfono al 888-473-2780. Para conocer más sobre el ADA y cómo esta se aplica a la votación usted puede visitar el sitio web a www.ada.gov/topics/voting/.

A U.S. businessman pleaded guilty today to evading his federal income taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, since 2007, Robert N. Dooner has lived outside the United States, intermittently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ibiza, Spain.  Starting in approximately 2007, Dooner worked as a business associate of Individual-1, an American living abroad. Together with others, including Individual-1, Dooner formed a joint venture incorporated in the UAE to provide internet services to U.S. military personnel at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Individual-1 helped fund the joint venture with proceeds from Company-1 – a business providing commodities to the U.S. Department of Defense in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and the Middle East. 

For 2015 through 2019, Dooner evaded taxes owed to the IRS by underreporting to his tax preparer the profits he earned from his ownership interest in the joint venture, as well as other compensation he received through his work for Individual-1. Dooner diverted his distributions to UAE bank accounts in the name of a Dubai-based shell company and then tried to conceal the foreign bank account records when they were specifically requested by U.S. authorities. In total, Dooner concealed approximately $2 million he earned from 2015 through 2019, causing a tax loss to the IRS of more than $744,977.

Dooner is the fifth defendant associated with the defense contracting company to plead guilty. Charles Squires pleaded guilty to tax evasion in February 2022, James Robar pleaded guilty to tax evasion in March 2022, Ronald “Ron” Thomas pleaded guilty to tax evasion in April 2022 and Zachary “Zack” Friedman pleaded guilty to tax evasion in August 2022.

Dooner faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia made the announcement.  

IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction are investigating the case. Assistance was provided by the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), which brings together the taxing authorities of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Tax Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office thank His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of the United Kingdom for their extensive assistance in this matter.

Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis and Trial Attorneys Sarah Ranney and Ezra Spiro of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Goemaat for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

A Maryland tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to preparing false tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2017 through 2022, Adis Smith, of Chula Vista, California, and formerly of Baltimore, prepared and filed false income tax returns for his clients in order to fraudulently lower the taxes they owed or to generate refunds from the IRS to which they were not entitled. Smith typically reported fictitious or inflated business losses and itemized deductions. To conceal his fraud from the IRS, Smith prepared and filed each client’s tax return as a “ghost preparer,” reporting it had been self-prepared by the client rather than by Smith. In total, Smith prepared over 1,000 false tax returns and caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $4,729,311.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 2. He and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland made the announcement. 

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. 

Trial Attorneys Matthew Cofer and Sarah Ranney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Delaney for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.  

A Nevada man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for evading payment of his federal income taxes.

Scott H. Lawrence, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to tax evasion on July 26, 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately 2009 through 2019, Lawrence owned and operated Turn Two Inc. (Turn Two), a Nevada real estate company. In March 2010, the IRS levied Lawrence’s personal bank account in an attempt to satisfy an outstanding tax debt. After learning of the IRS levy, Lawrence began taking steps to thwart IRS collection efforts by, among other things, cashing large portions of his wife’s paycheck to keep the funds out of a bank account the IRS could levy. Beginning in 2011, Lawrence began depositing his wife’s entire paycheck and other earnings into a corporate bank account not subject to levy, held by Turn Two and used that account to pay most of his family’s personal living expenses.

Lawrence then directed his wife to create a new interior design business, D Lawrence Hospitality LLC (DLH), and to open a business bank account for DLH. Lawrence funneled much of his and his wife’s personal income through DLH to impede the IRS’s ability to collect the couple’s unpaid taxes. For years, Lawrence concealed the existence and personal use of DLH’s bank account from the IRS.

Lawrence also caused his attorney to send a materially misleading letter to the IRS and to pay his taxes using an intentionally overdrawn bank account.

In all, as a result of his evasive conduct, Lawrence prevented the IRS from collecting more than $1.9 million in federal income taxes.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Anne R. Traum for the District of Nevada ordered Lawrence to serve two years of supervised release and to pay approximately $1,905,325 in restitution to the United States.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Patrick Burns and Boris Bourget of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.