DISPOSAL WELL OPERATOR PLEADS GUILTY TO MULTIPLE CHARGES INVOLVING WELL OPERATIONS

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Friday, September 26, 2014

Saltwater Disposal Well Operator Pleads Guilty to Multiple Felony Charges in Connection with Operation of Well

Nathan R. Garber, 45, of Kalispell, Montana, pleaded guilty in federal court in Bismarck to eleven felony charges stemming from the operation of a saltwater disposal well near Dickinson, in Stark County, North Dakota, the Justice Department announced.

Garber pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Safe Drinking Water Act and defraud the United States.  He also pleaded guilty to five counts of violating the Safe Drinking Water Act, two counts of making false statements, two counts of falsification of records and one count of concealment or cover up of a tangible object.

The well, named the Halek 5-22, received “produced water” constituting “brine and other wastes” commonly and generically referred to as “saltwater.”  “Saltwater” in this context covers a wide array of drilling waste fluids, including hydraulic fracturing fluid, which is water combined with chemical additives such as biocides, polymers and “weak acids.”  The EPA has stressed that this water is often saltier than seawater and can “contain toxic metals and radioactive substances.”

“Every aspect of domestic energy extraction, including the disposal of wastewater, must accord with the nation’s environmental laws that protect air, water and soil from contamination,” said Sam Hirsch, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.  “The American people expect nothing less than safe, responsible and legal behavior from those involved in oil and gas development in the Bakken and elsewhere.  The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those who violate this trust and the law.”

“The convictions secured today on 11 felony counts underscores the seriousness of the conduct here,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon of the District of North Dakota.  “Any time anyone in the Bakken oil boom region puts our water supplies at risk for contamination by intentionally breaking the laws in place to protect that water, the North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice and our partners at Environmental Protection Criminal Investigation Division will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that these offenders are brought to justice.  I want to particularly commend the Environmental Protection Agents based in Helena, Montana who worked this case.  Their commitment to this investigation, despite the fact that it being an eight hour one-way drive from their office, never  wavered.  Their commitment to make sure that this complex investigation was handled with the professionalism and skill it needed deserves special recognition and underscores the importance of ensuring that the Bakken region has access to these skilled Agents on a permanent basis.”

“As oil and natural gas development continues, it must be done in a way that ensures drilling byproducts are disposed of safely and legally,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Martinez of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in North Dakota.  “The defendant’s disregard of environmental regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act put human health and the environment at serious risk.  Today’s plea demonstrates that EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting North Dakota’s precious water sources and the communities that rely upon them.”

According to an agreed-upon factual statement filed in court, Garber admitted to conspiring with others in a number of coordinated and illegal acts.  For instance, Garber injected saltwater into the well without first having the state of North Dakota witness a test of the well’s integrity, causing a regulator to determine that there was no assurance as to the integrity of the well and that “the fluid could be going anywhere.”  Garber also violated a February 2012 order from the state to stop injecting until a well integrity test was done.  When questioned by the state about these injections, Garber made false statements in a March 6, 2012 email where he denied that these injections occurred.

The well failed a pressure test on Feb. 2, 2012, and Garber continued to inject saltwater even though he knew that the well did not have integrity and thus posed an increased risk of contaminating ground water.

Further, Garber moved a device called a “packer” up the wellbore in violation of the well’s permit, without first getting approval from the state.  A properly placed packer is an essential device to maintaining integrity of the well and ensuring wastewater does not escape into surrounding soil and groundwater.

 Then, Garber gave false information to a state inspector regarding the depth of the packer.

A search warrant was executed at the well on Nov. 20, 2013, and it was confirmed that the packer had been moved up in the wellbore and was significantly higher than the depth that had been initially represented by Garber.  Despite illegally moving the packer on Feb. 14, 2012, Garber continued to inject saltwater into the well until on or about March 5, 2012, when a state employee shut the well in.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division.  Significant cooperation was provided by the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC).  The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota and the Environmental Crimes Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

TWO TEXAS CAMPAIGN WORKERS PLEAD GUILTY TO BUYING VOTES WITH CASH AND COCAINE

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Friday, September 26, 2014

Two Campaign Workers Admit to Buying Votes in Hidalgo County, Texas, Elections

Two campaign workers pleaded guilty this week in the Southern District of Texas for paying voters to vote in two 2012 elections in Hidalgo County, Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas.

Veronica Saldivar, 42, of Donna, Texas, pleaded guilty today to one count of vote-buying before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane of the Southern District of Texas and is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 8, 2014.  Belinda Solis, 39, also of Donna, pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2014, to one count of vote-buying before U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez of the Southern District of Texas and is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 11, 2014.

According to Saldivar’s plea agreement, a primary election was held on May 29, 2012, in Donna for the presidential election, and various state, county, and local offices, including the office of a county commissioner for Hidalgo County.  Saldivar assisted in the campaign to elect a candidate to the office of county commissioner.  In the course of that work, she paid voters with cash and cocaine for voting in this primary election and for voting for a specific candidate for a county commissioner position.

According to Solis’s plea agreement, a general election was held on Nov. 6, 2012, in Donna, for the presidential election and various state, county, and local offices, including the Donna School Board.  Solis assisted in the campaign to elect a slate of four candidates to the Donna School Board.  In the course of that work, she paid voters cash for voting in the election and for voting for specific Donna School Board candidates.

This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Monique Abrishami and Jennifer Blackwell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo J. Leo of the Southern District of Texas.

Remarks at IAEA General Conference

http://www.state.gov/t/isn/rls/rm/2014/232165.htm

Statement by the President and Attorney General Eric Holder | The White House

Statement by the President and Attorney General Eric Holder | The White House

FUGITIVE FOUND ALREADY IN JAIL

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 

'Fugitive of the Week' Located in Massachusetts Jail

Concord, NH – This morning, Fugitive of the Week Andre Watson was located in Worcester County Jail in Massachusetts. Watson, 38, who was last known to live in Concord, NH, was wanted on an outstanding parole warrant issued by the NH State Parole Board. Watson was on parole in NH due to an original conviction and sentence for cocaine sales. Watson was also being sought on a warrant in Massachusetts for carrying a firearm without a license. Today, it was learned that Watson is currently being held without bail on the Mass. warrant on the firearm charge.

As part of the U.S. Marshals fugitive investigation, Watson was featured as the “Fugitive of the Week” on August 14th. The “Fugitive of the Week” is broadcast on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat and is prominently featured on the internet. The “Fugitive of the Week” has been a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007.

Upon confirming that Watson was in custody at the Worcester County Jail today, the NH Parole Officer was notified and instructed to file paperwork with the Worcester County Jail. This paperwork will ensure that once Watson’s case has been resolved in Worcester County, he will be turned over to the NH Department of Corrections to answer for his outstanding parole violations.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,801 arrests (Updated as of 08/13/2014). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE ANNOUNCE 3RD SUSPECT IN COP SLAYING CAUGHT

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 

Final Suspect Involved In Cop Slaying Arrested

3rd Suspect Captured On Murder Charge

San Antonio, TX – Jesse Santibanez, 25, was arrested this afternoon by the United States Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) in San Antonio, TX. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where it is alleged that Santibanez committed murder.

On September 11, 2014, members of the LSFTF initiated an investigation in locating and apprehending Santibanez. This afternoon, through collaborative investigative efforts, members of the LSFTF, with critical assistance from SAPD’s Repeat Offenders Program (ROP) determined that Santibanez was hiding out in a house located in the 100 block of Canavan Avenue, on the south side of San Antonio. Task force officers conducted a brief surveillance, approached the house, and made contact with a resident at the house. Task force officers explained there was an active arrest warrant for Santibanez and received consent to search the house. Task force officers entered the house, located Santibanez, identified themselves, and took him into custody without incident. Other agencies that participated in the arrest were members from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, Comal County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Office of The Attorney General.

On Sunday, May 4, 2014, Santibanez, and 2 accomplices, Alfred Cardona, 36, and Jerry Idrogo, 33, were allegedly involved in shooting and killing an off-duty Balcones Heights Police Officer after luring him from a business. Santibanez was the last of 3 suspects alleged to be involved in this case.

All 3 suspects will be held in custody at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office pending trial.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “It is with a joyful heart that I express my sincere gratitude to members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the San Antonio Police Department’s Repeat Offenders Program for working so diligently and persistently at finding all the suspects responsible for committing this murder. SAPD’s ROP played an essential role in this investigation and now the soul of this fallen officer can rest a little easier knowing that these killers have been brought to justice.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:
New Braunfels Police Department
San Antonio Police Department
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Comal County Sheriff’s Office
Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Office of The Attorney General
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General
Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal
U.S. Marshals Service

PHARMACIST, PHARMACOLOGIST CHARGED WITH SMUGGLING COUNTERFEIT PHARMACEUTICALS USING INTERNET PHARMACY

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Friday, September 12, 2014

Wisconsin Pharmacist and Nevada Pharmacologist Charged with Smuggling Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Using a Costa Rican Internet Pharmacy

A Wisconsin pharmacist and a Nevada pharmacologist were arraigned on an indictment today in Federal Court in Central Islip, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Gary Brown. The defendants are charged with conspiring to supply at least four million misbranded and counterfeit pharmaceuticals to an illegal Internet pharmacy based in Costa Rica that catered to U.S. customers.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; United States Attorney Loretta E. Lynch of the Eastern District of New York; Assistant Director in Charge George C. Venizelos of the FBI’s New York Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge James Royal of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office and Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes Jr. of Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) New York Field Office made the announcement.

The 10-count indictment charges Marla Ahlgrimm, 59, of Madison, Wisconsin, and Balbir Bhogal, 67, of Las Vegas, Nevada, with importing and distributing controlled substances and misbranded drugs, trafficking in counterfeit drugs, mail and wire fraud, smuggling and money laundering.

According to the indictment and information presented at the arraignment, from June 2007 through May 2010, Ahlgrimm and Bhogal, who is a dual U.S. and Indian citizen, allegedly arranged for the manufacture in India of millions of tablets of controlled substances, including alprazolam and phentermine, and prescription drugs, including carisoprodol and counterfeit Viagra. Although they did not hold an importer’s license from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the defendants allegedly arranged for the importation of the same drugs into the United States. Neither the incoming packages nor the tablets themselves were labeled or identified as controlled substances or prescription drugs.  

The drugs were allegedly intended to supply an Internet pharmacy based in Costa Rica that catered to customers within the United States, including Brooklyn and Queens, New York. The Internet pharmacy used call centers and websites based outside the United States, but filled the orders from inside the United States using individuals who were not licensed pharmacists to bottle, label and drop-ship the drugs. To facilitate the operation, the defendants allegedly wired money from Costa Rica to the United States and then to India.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was jointly investigated by the FBI, FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, and HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Evan C. Williams of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney William P. Campos of the Eastern District of New York.

CALL CENTER OWNER PLEADS GUILTY IN ELDERLY SWEEPSTAKES FRAUD CASE

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Monday, September 15, 2014

Owner of Costa Rican Call Center Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Through Sweepstakes Scam

A dual United States-Costa Rican citizen pleaded guilty today for his role in a $1.88 million sweepstakes fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins of the Western District of North Carolina made the announcement.

Geoffrey Alexander Ramer, 34, of Costa Rica, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer of the Western District of North Carolina to wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the telemarketing fraud scheme. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

“Ramer preyed upon some of the most vulnerable members of our society, callously and repeatedly defrauding elderly Americans by stealing their life savings,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “We hope that today's guilty plea brings some solace to his victims. This prosecution sends a clear message to the next would-be con-artist: in protecting our citizens, the reach of the Justice Department will not stop at our country's borders.

“Ramer and his fellow con artists swindled their victims and pocketed people’s life savings,” said U.S. Attorney Tompkins.  “If conscience is not enough to deter scammers from taking advantage of the elderly and vulnerable, the certainty that justice is coming should.”

According to his plea agreement, from 2008 through December 2013, Ramer owned and operated call centers located in Costa Rica. Ramer and his co-conspirators called U.S. residents, many of whom were elderly, and falsely informed them that they had won a substantial cash prize in a sweepstakes. The victims were told that in order to receive the prize, they had to send money to Costa Rica for a purported refundable insurance fee. After receiving the fee, Ramer and his co-conspirators contacted the victims again, and falsely informed them that the prize amount had increased and, therefore, the victims had to send additional money to pay for new purported fees. These attempts to collect additional money continued until the victims ran out of money or discovered the fraud. To mask that they were calling from Costa Rica, Ramer and his co-conspirators utilized VoIP phones that displayed a (202) area code, giving victims the false impression the calls were coming from Washington, D.C. Ramer often falsely claimed to be calling on behalf of a U.S. federal agency to lure victims into a false sense of security.

Plea documents state that, along with his co-conspirators, Ramer was responsible for causing more than $1.88 million in losses to hundreds of elderly Americans.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Donley and Trial Attorney William Bowne of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Message from the President on the Extradition Treaty between the US and Chile | The White House

Message from the President on the Extradition Treaty between the US and Chile | The White House

FUGITIVE APPREHENDED WHO STOLE FROM DOUGHNUT SHOP LOCATED ACROSS FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE 

 CONCORD, N.H. – Yesterday evening, Fugitive of the Week, Christopher Stevens was arrested in Somersworth, N.H.  Stevens, 23, last known to live in Laconia, N.H., and wanted on an outstanding probation warrant issued out of Belknap County.  Stevens was on probation for a 2013 conviction and sentence for intimidation (stalking) and criminal threatening.  On this past Monday, Stevens was also identified as the person that allegedly stole $6,000 from Dunkin’ Donuts across the street from the Bedford Police Department.  During this robbery, Stevens allegedly brandished a handgun in the parking lot and approached an employee on her way to the bank to make a deposit.  Stevens was aided in this robbery by his wife Sara Stevens who was identified by witnesses as the getaway driver.

As part of the U.S. Marshals fugitive investigation, Stevens was featured as the “Fugitive of the Week” on September 4th.  The “Fugitive of the Week” is broadcast on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat and is prominently featured on the internet.  The “Fugitive of the Week” has been a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force received numerous tips regarding the whereabouts of Stevens, since he was featured as the “Fugitive of the Week” on September 4th.  These tips led investigators to several areas across southern N.H.   On Wednesday, members of the Fugitive Task Force were able to locate and arrest, Sara Stevens in Laconia, along with the getaway vehicle used in Monday’s robbery of the Dunkin’ Donuts in Bedford.  Sara Stevens, age 26, was arrested on a warrant issued by the Bedford Police Department for Accomplice to Armed Robbery.  After Sara’s arrest, the fugitive investigation of Christopher Stevens intensified.  These efforts paid off yesterday, when information was developed that Christopher Stevens was in hiding in an apartment on Highland Street in Somersworth, N.H.    Several members of the task force went to the suspected location.  At this residence, once Stevens was aware of the task force’s presence, he looked out the window to see if he could flee.  Stevens quickly realized his only option was to surrender and open the door, where he was arrested without further incident.  Stevens was brought to the Bedford Police Department for processing on the warrant for armed robbery and will be held at the Hillsborough County Jail pending his initial court appearance later today.  Once Stevens has resolved his case in Hillsborough County, he will be turned over to the Belknap County Sheriff’s Office to answer to his outstanding probation violation warrant.  This lengthy investigation and arrest was a large undertaking by the U.S. Marshal’s - N.H. Joint Fugitive Task Force, and involved numerous Task Force members from the Belknap, Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Strafford County Sheriff’s Offices, Deputy U.S. Marshals, with additional assistance from the Bedford, Laconia, Manchester & Greenfield Police Department.

Additionally, this week’s Fugitive of the Week, Alex Ortiz, Sr., was located in the Hillsborough County Jail.  Ortiz was being sought by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office on an arrest warrant alleging multiple charges including; criminal threatening, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon (vehicle), simple assault X5, and endangering the welfare of a child. These warrants stemmed from an incident that had occurred in Rockingham County in February, 2014, during which Ortiz is alleged to have threatened to harm/kill, physically assaulted and endangered multiple people (including children) while driving a car.  After seeing that Ortiz was featured as this week’s Fugitive of the Week, the Hillsborough County Jail notified the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office that Ortiz was currently in custody at the Hillsborough County Jail on unrelated charges.  Once Ortiz’s criminal matters in Hillsborough County have been resolved, he will be turned over to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office on these other very serious allegations.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,801 arrests (Updated as of 08/13/2014).  These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses.  Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

TWO PLEAD GUILTY TO IMPORTING, SELLING HAZARDOUS AND COUNTERFEIT CHILDREN'S TOYS

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Two Individuals Plead Guilty to Importing and Selling Hazardous and Counterfeit Toys in New York

Two New York residents pleaded guilty today in connection with importing more than 100,000 counterfeit and hazardous children’s toys from China for sale in the United States.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch of the Eastern District of New York, Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes Jr. of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, Director Robert E. Perez of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) New York Field Operations, Chairman Elliot F. Kaye of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Commissioner William J. Bratton of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) made the announcement.

“In a criminal twist on a toy story, the defendants made millions importing dangerous, knock-off toys that put children in harm’s way,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “The defendants used a continuously shifting series of corporate entities in an effort to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. But their game has now come to an end. The Department of Justice is committed to stopping those who would smuggle hazardous, counterfeit goods into the United States.”

“For eight years, the defendants lined their pockets while putting at risk the health of our children by smuggling dangerous and copyright-infringing toys into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Lynch. “Today’s guilty pleas signify the end of this dangerous pipeline from China. We will continue to be vigilant and prosecute those who would smuggle dangerous and unlawful items into our country and neighborhoods.”

“The United States has some of the strongest toy standards and lowest lead limits in the world, specifically to keep children safe,” said CPSC Chairman Kaye. “We have no more important mission than protecting children. For that reason, the CPSC will continue to work with our federal partners to enforce toy safety requirements at the ports and in the marketplace.”

“The defendants in this case endangered thousands of American children by manufacturing for sale counterfeit toys made with unsafe amounts of lead and other hazardous chemicals,” said Special Agent in Charge Hayes Jr. “HSI focuses its efforts to protect intellectual property, first and foremost, on those counterfeit goods that present health and safety hazards to consumers.”

Chenglan Hu, 52, and Hua Fei Zhang, 53, of Bayside, New York, pleaded guilty in connection with importing children’s toys with copyright-infringing images and counterfeit trademarks of popular children’s characters, as well as unsafe lead levels, small parts that presented risks of choking or ingestion, easily-accessible battery compartments, and other potential hazards. Hu and Zhang were the last of nine defendants to plead guilty in this investigation; Guan Jun Zhang, Jun Wu Zhang, and five corporations – Family Product USA Inc., H.M. Import USA Corp., ZCY Trading Corp., Zone Import Corp. and ZY Wholesale Inc. – previously pleaded guilty to Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and trademark counterfeiting charges. In pleading guilty to trafficking in hazardous consumer goods in violation of CPSA, Hu and Zhang also agreed to forfeit $700,000 and more than 120,000 unsafe children’s toys. The government previously seized three luxury vehicles and six bank accounts, and filed lis pendens against two real properties owned by Zhang in Queens, New York.

According to court filings and facts presented at the plea hearings, from July 2005 through January 2013, Hu, Zhang, and the other individual defendants used the companies they owned to import and sell toys from China from a storefront and warehouse in Ridgewood, New York, and other locations in Brooklyn, New York and Queens, New York. According to the indictment, CBP seized toys imported by the defendants from shipping containers entering the United States from China on 33 separate occasions. Seventeen of the 33 seizures contained toys prohibited from import into the United States because of excessive lead content, excessive phthalate levels, small parts that presented risks of choking, aspiration or ingestion, and easily-accessible battery compartments. Sixteen of the 33 seizures contained toys bearing copyright-infringing images and counterfeit trademarks, including a wide variety of popular children’s characters, such as Winnie the Pooh, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Betty Boop, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Spiderman, Tweety, Mickey Mouse, and Pokémon, as well as those from movies such as “Cars,” “Toy Story” and “High School Musical.”

Hu, Zhang, and the other individual defendants changed their use of the companies, sometimes even forming new companies, and alternated their formal titles in order to conceal their continued importation and distribution of the hazardous and counterfeit toys.

Hu and Zhang pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein of the Eastern District of New York. Sentencing will be announced at a later date.

The case was jointly investigated by the HSI Intellectual Property Rights Group and the NYPD, through its participation in the New York Border Enforcement Security Task Force, with the assistance of CBP and CPSC. The case was prosecuted by Senior Counsel Evan Williams of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Campos and Claire Kedeshian of the Eastern District of New York.

HOME HEALTH CARE CO. OWNER SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MEDICARE FRAUD

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Owner of Home Health Care Company Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison for Role in $6 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

A co-owner of Professional Medical Home Health LLC was sentenced today to serve 70 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.2 million in restitution for her participation in a health care fraud scheme involving the now defunct home health care company .

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Reginald France of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office made the announcement. U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno of the Southern District of Florida imposed the sentence.

According to court documents, Annarella Garcia, 44, of Hialeah, Florida, was a co-owner of Professional Medical Home Health, a Miami home health care agency that purported to provide home health and therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Between December 2008 and February 2014, Garcia and others engaged in a scheme to bill the Medicare Program for expensive physical therapy and home health care services that were not medically necessary or were not provided. During that time, Professional Medical Home Health was paid approximately $6.25 million by Medicare for the fraudulent claims.

Specifically, Garcia and her co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in return for their providing patients to Professional Medical Home Health for home health and therapy services that were not medically necessary or were not provided. In furtherance of the scheme, Garcia and her co-conspirators falsified patient documentation to make it appear that beneficiaries qualified for and received home health care services, when, in fact, many of the beneficiaries did not actually qualify for such services and did not receive such services.

Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on June 25, 2014.

The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys A. Brendan Stewart and Anne P. McNamara of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 1,900 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $6 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

U.S. OFFICILS REMARKS AT THE GOOD SOCIETY AND CORRUPTION CONFERENCE

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Remarks at the Good Society and Corruption Conference

Remarks

Hoyt Yee

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs

Bucharest, Romania

September 9, 2014

---

As prepared

I would like to thank the Aspen Institute Romania—and particularly Mircea Geoana—for organizing this impressive gathering of policy-makers, business leaders, thinkers, activists and citizens. In unique formats like this that convene all of society’s stakeholders, we can tackle some of the Euro-Atlantic community’s most complex and intractable challenges.

Corruption is one of these challenges. Combating corruption is as difficult as it is important. In the United States, we know this from our own history. We fight every day to live up to the immortal words written in our Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and as such, all Americans have the self-evident right to equal protection under the law. These ideals are also at the forefront of Romania’s democracy. Romania’s constitution opens with the declaration that this country is “governed by the rule of law, in which human dignity, citizens' rights and freedoms, the free development of human personality, justice and political pluralism represent supreme values…” These democratic values—preserving and defending rule of law, protecting the right to free media, guaranteeing an independent judiciary and providing a clean, accountable and transparent government—are the basis of our Euro-Atlantic community.

Both Americans and Europeans know the corrosive effects that corruption can have on the ability to deliver the prosperity, security and liberty that our citizens deserve. In Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans—where so much progress has been made in the last 25 years to shore up these common values—corruption remains one of the top obstacles to reaching our dream of completing a Europe whole, free and at peace.

The reasons are simple. Corruption undermines economies, erodes democracies, and threatens security throughout the region. It drains away public resources at a time when every penny is needed to shore up Europe’s economic recovery. Every Euro, Forint, or Leu that is diverted for personal enrichment is one that is not used to help fund hospitals, improve schools, and build roads. Citizens who witness corruption lost faith in their leaders and government. Tax evasion rises. Foreign direct investment is decreases. And many of the most able-bodied and highly-educated workers—doctors, engineers, and scientists—emigrate abroad where their talents are rewarded instead of squandered. Economic growth stagnates or declines. The victims who suffer the most are the most vulnerable. The effects and influence of corruption are so dangerous to economic prosperity that the World Bank has labeled corruption “public enemy number one.”

Now more than ever, we see how corruption threatens not only the economy but security and sovereignty as well. At its worst, corruption hollows out military and border services; allows malevolent coalitions to build across borders in ways that undermine democracy; and enables criminals and hostile states to infiltrate and control strategically important sectors like energy. Today, in view of the crisis in Ukraine, the urgency could not be greater.

So we must ask ourselves: How can we marshal the full force of society, of this unique group of stakeholders—governments, the business community, civil society, the media—in this fight? How can we work together across Europe and Eurasia to root out corruption wherever it hides?

There is no “one size fits all” solution to tackle corruption across the Euro-Atlantic. But one thing is certain: the battle against corruption requires determination of all members of society—from the energy company CEO to the Member of Parliament to the police officer patrolling the night streets. The fight against corruption must rise up locally, build capacity and include citizen “buy-in.” All actors in society must focus on fundamental principles like transparency, rule of law, stable institutions, and efficient courts to enforce democratically promulgated rules. Governments, civil society, business and the media must remain vigilant responsible authorities, including police, prosecutors, and judges implement the law effectively, aggressively and impartially and enforce the principle that no one is above the law.

Our host today, Romania is a good example of a country where the development of strong, independent and impartial judicial institutions, especially organizations like the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, the Supreme Court and the National Integrity Agency, are having a strong, positive effect on rule of law. These institutions have been remarkable in their efforts and need to continue to be resourced, respected, and insulated from outside influence. Romania is poised to advance even further, as it considers ways to ensure full accountability of its elected and government officials and improves the transparency of its legislative procedures—something we are helping with through initiatives like yesterday's Regulatory Impact Assessment Workshop, which the U.S. Government organized supported with the Romanian Government.

The United States stands ready to partner with those in Europe and Eurasia looking to strengthen public institutions, bolster rule of law, and improve the quality of governance. We are identifying the most damaging forms of corruption across the region and the best weapons to fight them. By doing this, we can establish best practices and apply them where corruption festers. Across the region, the United States is working to bring together coalitions of like-minded actors from business, civil society and leaders from the next generation. We are offering legal and technical assistance best suited to local conditions. And we are raising expectations and testing governments that their commitments to clean governance aren’t just about words, but actions.

Looking regionally, we are supporting initiatives like the South Eastern European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) here in Bucharest and OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and the CEELI Institute’s Judicial Integrity Network to provide training and build networks among practitioners and enhance coordination. We are championing the Open Government Partnership and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; and advocating that all European states fully implement the UN’s Convention against Corruption.

The United States and the EU are also working together to tackle this transnational challenge. Both sides of the Atlantic have done much. We’ve passed legislation to compel companies to publicly disclose the payments they make to governments in extractive industries such as oil, gas, and minerals, sectors that are particularly vulnerable to corruption. We are working to guarantee that our aid and technical assistance programs in places like Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the Balkans emphasize public accountability and responsiveness. We have collaborated closely to build the international architecture to recover proceeds of corruption that kleptocrats stow abroad, through initiatives such as the Ukraine Forum on Asset Recovery. But we can do more. For example, we should look at how to use the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and other trade agreements to promote anti-corruption measures and cleaner governance.

As Vice President Biden stated here in Bucharest a couple of months ago: “In the 21^st century, the countries that will thrive will be the ones where citizens know their voices are heard because the institutions are transparent.” If we empower those fighting for transparency and accountability with the tools and initiatives to take the fight into their own hands; if we dedicate the political will necessary to wage this fight; if we guarantee the highest standard of governance; then I am confident that the countries of this region and beyond can reach their full potential. Together we can open the next chapter of prosperity, security and human dignity for all our citizens. Thank you.

FORMER POLICE OFFICERS PLEAD GUILTY FOR ROLES IN FATAL BEATING OF JOSE IRIZARRY PEREZ

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Monday, August 25, 2014

Six Former Puerto Rico Police Officers Plead Guilty to Federal Civil Rights, Obstruction of Justice and Perjury Charges

Three Puerto Rico police officers, Erick Rivera Nazario, Angel Torres Quinones and Antonio Rodriguez Caraballo today pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges in connection with the fatal beating of 19-year-old Jose Luis Irizarry Perez, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Civil Rights Division, United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the FBI San Juan Field Office.

These pleas, in conjunction with other recent pleas by Jimmy Rodriguez Vega, David Colon Martinez and Miguel Negron Vazquez brings the total number of Puerto Rico police officers pleading guilty to charges related to this incident to six.

According to documents filed in connection with the guilty pleas, former officer Rodriguez Vega and Lieutenant Rivera Nazario struck Irizarry Perez with their police batons while former officer Colon Martinez physically restrained Irizarry Perez during an election evening celebration at the Las Colinas housing development in Yauco, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 5, 2008.

Rivera Nazario pleaded guilty to one count of depriving Irizarry Perez of his civil rights by striking him with his police baton. Torres Quinones pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for providing misleading information to the local Puerto Rico prosecutor that initially investigated the matter. Former Sergeant Rodriguez Caraballo pleaded guilty to one count of perjury for making a false statement to the federal grand jury.

On Aug. 22, 2014, guilty pleas were entered by Colon Martinez and Negron Vazquez for their role in the case. Colon Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the FBI and one count of perjury for making a false statement to the federal grand jury that investigated the incident. Negron Vazquez pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the FBI.

Rodriguez Vega pleaded guilty on March 8, 2013, to one count of depriving Irizarry Perez of his civil rights by striking him with his police baton.

“This case reflects the department’s commitment to ensuring that those officers who violate their oath by using excessive force or obstructing a federal investigation will be held accountable,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Moran. “While the vast majority of police officers serve with the highest distinction, the Justice Department stands ready to investigate and prosecute those officers who cross the line and engage in criminal conduct.”

“We rely upon our police officers to protect and serve the community, but through their illegal actions, these officers abused their power and violated the public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Vélez. “I am hopeful that today’s pleas bring a measure of justice and closure to the victim’s family and the entire community.”

Rodriguez Vega and Rivera Nazario each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for their convictions for violating Irizarry Perez’s civil rights.

Colon Martinez faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each conviction of making a false statement to the FBI and making a false declaration to the federal grand jury.

Negron Vazquez faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his conviction of making a false statement to the FBI.

Torres Quinones faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for his conviction for obstruction of justice by providing misleading information to the local prosecutor.

Rodriguez Caraballo faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his conviction for making a false declaration to the federal grand jury.



This case was investigated by the San Juan Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Gerard Hogan and Trial Attorneys Shan Patel and Olimpia E. Michel from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.

FUGITIVE ARRESTED AFTER 13 YEARS ON THE RUN

FROM:  U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE HOMICIDE 

Oakland Police and U.S. Marshals Arrest Fugitive After 13 Years on the Run
San Francisco, CA - Carlos Alberto Cervantes, 39, was arrested by The U.S. Marshals Service along with Mexican Authorities in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Cervantes is wanted by the Oakland police Department for two counts of homicide from 2001.

In August of 2001, Mr. Cervantes allegedly got into a dispute with two individuals over a car stereo, which Mr. Cervantes was hired to install. The two individuals then reportedly suspected Mr. Cervantes of joyriding in the vehicle and demanded their money returned. During the course of Mr. Cervantes returning the money, he is accused of shooting both individuals in the head.

Oakland Police began searching for Mr. Cervantes and ultimately, due to their close professional relationship, began working the case with the U.S. Marshals Service led Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. The team of investigators had ascertained that Mr. Cervantes had fled to the Guadalajara region of Mexico. U.S. Marshals in Mexico, working alongside Mexican law enforcement officials, spotted Mr. Cervantes walking out of a residence. Investigators established that Mr. Cervantes is a United States citizen, and, based upon the outstanding arrest warrants, petitioned the Mexican government to deport him back to the USA. Armed with the deportation order based on the homicide warrants, law enforcement effectuated his arrest without incident. Mr. Cervantes was flown into the United States and is now being housed at the Los Angeles County Jail.

Don O’ Keefe, the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of California, stated: “The U.S. Marshals Service along with their partners, both domestically and internationally, will always strive to collaboratively bring fugitives to justice, no matter where they may try to hide”.

Oakland Police Chief Sean Whent stated, “This is an excellent example of law enforcement collaboration. Human life is our top priority. We are tenacious. Our perseverance in this case should send this message to criminals: we never give up.”

The Northern California Fugitive Task Force is a division of the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force and is part of a network of U.S. Marshals task forces across the country.

MS-13 GANG MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY IN VIOLENT RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty in Violent Racketeering Conspiracy

A Maryland MS-13 gang member pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as the La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, and acknowledged his involvement in attempted murder and extortion in furtherance of MS-13.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of the District of Maryland, Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks, Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department, Chief Alan Goldberg of the Takoma Park Police Department, and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy made the announcement.

Roni Arriola-Palma, 24, of Greenbelt, Maryland, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus.   Sentencing is scheduled for March 9, 2015.

According to the statement of facts filed with Arriola-Palma’s plea agreement, MS-13 is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.

The statement of facts states that from 2009 until at least 2012, Arriola-Palma was a member and leader of the Peajes Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13.  Arriola Palma and other MS-13 members in the Peajes clique and other MS-13 cliques committed crimes to further the interests of the gang, including murder, assault, robbery, extortion by threat of violence, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and witness retaliation.

Arriola-Palma admitted that from January 2010 through at least May 2011, he attended MS-13 leadership meetings in Maryland as the representative and leader of the Peajes clique.  

According to the plea agreement, on Jan. 13, 2011, Arriola-Palma attended a Peajes clique meeting with other MS-13 members near the Greenbelt Metro Station.  Another MS-13 member spoke at the meeting, criticizing members of the clique for not committing enough violent crimes on behalf of MS-13 and encouraging clique members to find rival gang members and commit acts of violence against them.  

Arriola-Palma admitted that after the meeting ended, he drove other MS-13 members in a minivan.  Near the Fort Totten Metro Station, they saw a person who they believed was an associate of a rival gang.   MS-13 members attacked the victim and dragged him back into the minivan, where they continued to assault him.   After later stopping and departing the minivan, Arriola-Palma and other MS-13 members forcefully stripped the victim of all clothing and stabbed him.  After the assault, two MS-13 members dragged the victim into the woods and one of the gang members strangled the victim with his belt.  When they returned from the woods, they informed the other members that the victim was dead.  Arriola-Palma then drove the group of MS-13 members away from the scene.  The victim, however, survived the attack.

From March to November 2011, members of the Peajes clique threatened to place a “greenlight,” or order to kill, on a former MS-13 associate unless he paid them a weekly or bi-weekly “rent” or “tax,” which gang members collected from the victim.  Arriola-Palma admitted that he accepted payments that he knew were proceeds from the extortion scheme from two other MS-13 members.

This case was investigated by HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County and Montgomery County Police Departments, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Takoma Park Police Department and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Baltimore’s Operation Community Shield Task Force and the Maryland Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kevin L. Rosenberg of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Moomau of the District of Maryland.

FBI ANNOUNCEMENT: Megan Elizabeth Everett Sought in Daughter's Kidnapping

http://www.fbi.gov/news/podcasts/wanted/megan-elizabeth-everett-sought-in-daughters-kidnapping.mp3/view?utm_campaign=email-Immediate&utm_medium=email&utm_source=wanted-by-the-fbi-podcast&utm_content=351255

A PHARMACIST SUSPECTED OF HAVING ROLE IN 2012 FUNGAL MENINGITIS OUTBREAK ARRESTED AT AIRPORT

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

New England Compounding Center Supervising Pharmacist Arrested at Logan International Airport

A Canton, Massachusetts, man was arrested today at Boston's Logan International Airport in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation of New England Compounding Center (NECC) by the Justice Department’s Civil Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Glenn Adam Chin, 46, was attempting to board a plane to Hong Kong when he was arrested by federal authorities on one count of mail fraud.  He is scheduled to appear before Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts later today.  The maximum sentence under the statute is 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch have conducted an active ongoing criminal investigation of NECC since the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak began in the fall of 2012.  Following the outbreak, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 751 patients across the country were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate, or MPA, compounded at NECC.  The CDC reported that of those 751 patients, 64 died.

Chin was a supervising pharmacist at NECC who was involved in compounding the contaminated MPA that caused the outbreak.  The criminal complaint charges Chin with participating in a scheme to fraudulently cause one lot of MPA to be labeled as injectable, meaning that it was sterile and fit for human use, and shipped to one of NECC’s customers, Michigan Pain Specialists.  As alleged in the affidavit, after receiving the MPA from NECC, doctors at Michigan Pain Specialists injected the drug into their patients believing it to be injectable as labeled.  As a result, 217 of those patients contracted fungal meningitis, and 15 of those patients died.

Although the criminal investigation of Chin and others is ongoing, the U.S. Attorney's Office charged and arrested Chin today after federal authorities learned that he was planning to leave the country on an international flight that was scheduled to depart this morning.

U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery for the Civil Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge James Royal of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Special Agent in Charge Vincent Lisi of the FBI’s Boston Field Division; Inspector in Charge Kevin Niland of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Hughes of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General Northeast Field Office and Resident Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service-Office of Inspector General in Boston, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by George P. Varghese and Amanda P.M. Strachan of U.S. Attorney Ortiz’s Health Care Fraud Unit, and John W.M. Claud of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.

The details contained in the complaint are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MICHIGAN MAN INDICTED FOR TRYING TO CONCEAL EVIDENCE PERTINENT TO MEDICARE FRAUD TRIAL

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Detroit-Area Man Indicted for Attempting to Conceal Evidence in Connection with Upcoming Trial for $30 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

A Detroit -area man was indicted today for obstruction of justice in connection with his alleged attempts to conceal evidence relevant to his upcoming trial for an alleged health care fraud scheme with estimated losses exceeding $30 million.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office made the announcement.

Zafar Mehmood, 48, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, is currently awaiting trial for his alleged role in a health care fraud scheme involving, among other allegations, the submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare for services that were medically unnecessary or never provided.   Mehmood allegedly used at least four home health agencies in the Detroit area, including Access Care Home Care Inc., Patient Care Home Care Inc., Hands On Healing Home Care Inc. and All State Home Care Inc., to perpetrate his fraud.

According to today’s indictment, on July 25, 2014, and again on July 28, 2014, Mehmood attempted to alter and conceal records and documents, which included several patient files, with the intent to impair their integrity and availability for use in his upcoming trial.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Nathan Dimock, Niall O’Donnell, and A. Brendan Stewart of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 1,900 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $6 billion.  In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.