News from 2024
Virginia Man Sentenced to More than Six Years in Prison for Tax Scheme
"A Virginia businessman was sentenced to 78 months in prison for evading the payment of employment taxes, filing false tax returns and obstructing the IRS."###
Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Honors Correctional Workers in Memorial Service
Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Marshall Miller delivered remarks at the Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Workers’ Memorial Service on May 7, 2024.
Oil tanker engineers admit to concealing pollution and illegal waste discharge
Two ship engineers on the oil tanker M/T Kriti Ruby pleaded guilty today to charges related to the concealment of pollution by falsifying records, with the chief engineer also pleading guilty to charges related to the discharge of oily waste into the sea from a commercial vessel near a petroleum terminal in Sewaren, New Jersey.
Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services Highlight Progress by State of Alabama to Implement Environmental Justice Reforms in Lowndes County
The Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today progress by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) in providing access to basic sanitation services, abating exposure to raw sewage from inadequate onsite wastewater systems, and improving health outcomes for the predominantly Black communities of Lowndes County, Alabama.
Former Tennessee Corrections Officer Sentenced for Using Excessive Force Against Inmate and Writing False Report to Cover It Up
Former Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) tactical officer, Javian Griffin, 38, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for using excessive force against an inmate and writing a false report to cover it up. Griffin pleaded guilty to the offense on Oct. 11, 2023.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “The defendant pledged to protect and serve but instead he abused his authority as a corrections officer, violently punching a man in the head and breaking his jaw. The...
Court Permanently Bars Missouri CPA from Promoting Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust Tax Scheme
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri has issued a permanent injunction against Aric Elliot Schreiner and his company, Columbia CPA Group LLC, prohibiting them from engaging in any activities related to promoting tax schemes involving charitable remainder annuity trusts (CRATs). Additionally, Schreiner has been ordered to forfeit $400,000 in ill-gotten gains from the scheme. The court's decision comes after the United States sued Schreiner, Columbia CPA Group, and five other defendants to halt the promotion of the CRAT scheme.According to the United...
Justice Department Plans Environmental Justice Strategic Plan Listening Sessions in May 2024
The Justice Department today marked the second anniversary of its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy (CEJES) and Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). The Justice Department will be incorporating those efforts into developing an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan, as directed by the President’s Executive Order “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.” The new strategic plan will further address environmental justice and help develop and capture the Justice Department's vision, goals, priority actions, and metrics to...
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Deputy U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks Jr. at Memorial Service
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered heartfelt remarks at the memorial service of Deputy U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks Jr., paying tribute to his life and legacy. Garland expressed his admiration for Mrs. Weeks' strength and resilience, highlighting her unwavering support for the U.S. Marshals Service and the Justice Department in the face of tragedy.Garland acknowledged the profound impact of Weeks' dedication to his family and his colleagues, describing him as a dependable, passionate, and humorous individual. He shared anecdotes that showcased Weeks' commitment to...
Five Federal Departments Reaffirm Commitment to Civil Rights Laws and Environmental Justice
Five federal departments have come together to reaffirm their shared commitment to uphold civil rights laws and advance environmental justice in communities across the United States. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Housing and Urban Development, jointly expressed their dedication to this important cause.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s...
Florida Hospital System Agrees to Pay $1.5 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations
Baptist Health System Inc. (Baptist Health) in Florida has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act by offering improper discounts to patients. The United States alleged that Baptist Health subsidiaries provided discounts without regard to financial need, potentially in exchange for referrals or purchases of services.In response to the settlement, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton stated, "The department will continue to rely on the False Claims Act to address the use of prohibited remuneration to induce...
Attorney General Miyares Announces $270 Million Multistate Settlement with Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia revealed that the state is set to receive about $3.1 million as part of a $270 million multistate settlement with Amneal Pharmaceuticals. The agreement, reached in principle, aims to address Amneal's involvement in the opioid crisis that has plagued the nation for years.According to a multistate coalition of attorneys general, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a major manufacturer of opioids from 2006 to 2019, is accused of neglecting to monitor and report suspicious orders made by its customers, contravening federal regulations.Miyares...
Sheetz's refusal to hire some criminals makes it racist, EEOC says
BALTIMORE – The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Sheetz, charging that the criminal background check in its hiring process has discriminated against job applicants of Black, American Indian/Alaska Native and/or multiracial origin.
Dental products company can't escape shareholder litigation over disappointing results
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has largely rejected the motion to dismiss a stockholder class action lawsuit against Dentsply, the world's largest producer of professional dental products.
Pickle-eaters score $2 million settlement over preservative in Wahlburgers; Attorneys to ask for $750K
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The maker of Wahlburgers dill spears and chips is getting itself out of a legal pickle with a $2 million settlement.
Fla. personal injury lawyer accused by client of not getting enough money
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida woman says bad advice from her lawyer resulted in her getting a lot less than what she was owed for her workplace-injury claim.
Budget faces lawsuit claiming it falsely accuses customers of stealing cars
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The automobile-rental company Budget faces a proposed class action lawsuit that claims it wrongly accuses customers of stealing its cars.
Ark. behavioral health facility blamed for sexual assault of resident
CONWAY, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - The parents of a girl allegedly sexually assaulted at an Arkansas behavioral health facility has filed a lawsuit against it.
School Incident in Mount Horeb, Wis. Under Investigation by DOJ
MOUNT HOREB, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is actively looking into the recent incident that took place in the Village of Mount Horeb, Wis. on May 1, 2024.According to the report, a citizen alerted authorities after observing an individual heading towards Mount Horeb Middle School carrying what seemed to be a long gun. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and encountered the subject matching the description near the middle school. Despite commands to drop the weapon, the subject did not comply and...
S.C. lawmakers put citizen-only voting amendment on November ballot
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment that would allow only American citizens to vote in all state elections.
Attorney General Garland recognizes Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has acknowledged Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day by emphasizing the importance of addressing the crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Garland announced intensified efforts aimed at tackling the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP), human trafficking, and other significant public safety challenges.Garland highlighted the disproportionate impact of the fentanyl crisis on Native Americans, exacerbating levels of violence and addiction within already vulnerable communities....