July 03, 2009

MARIJUANA SUSPECTS CHARGED WITH SHOOTING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that JOSE ALFREDO ZEPEDA, 19, of East Palo Alto, and CLEMENTE FERRIAS ARROYO, 62, of Morgan Hill, made their initial appearance today in court on an indictment charging them with a conspiracy to manufacture at least 1,000 marijuana plants, the manufacture of at least 1,000 marijuana plants, and possession of firearms and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

July 02, 2009

SECOND DEFENDANT IN MODESTO RACKETEERING CASE PLEADS GUILTY

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that RAY M. HEFFINGTON, 40, of Chowchilla, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger to trafficking in certain motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts, as part of the overall racketeering indictment brought against Stanislaus County business owner Robert C. Holloway and others.

June 30, 2009

THREE ATTORNEYS AND TWO INTERPRETERS CONVICTED IN LONG-RUNNING ASYLUM FRAUD SCHEME

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced that a federal jury returned verdicts today convicting JAGPRIT SINGH SEKHON, 39, of Westminster, formerly of Sacramento; his brother JAGDIP SINGH SEKHON, 42, of Salida, formerly of Oakland; MANJIT KAUR RAI, 33, of Discovery Bay, formerly of Antioch; IOSIF CAZA, 43, of Sacramento; and LUCIANA HARMATH, 29, of Glendale, Ariz., formerly of Sacramento, of most of the counts against them in a long-running scheme to defraud the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and its successor agency, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), by filing hundreds of false asylum claims from early 2000 through late 2004. The guilty verdicts were returned by a federal court jury in Sacramento after a threeand-a-half month trial before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr.

June 29, 2009

JURY RETURNS SENTENCE RECOMMENDATION OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF RELEASE FOR GANG MEMBER FOUND GUILTY OF THREE MURDERS IN AID OF RACKETEERING

Defendant Dennis Cyrus, Jr., was Previously Found Guilty by the Same Jury of Murdering Three Men, Including a Federal Witness, and Attempting to Murder a Fourth
SAN FRANCISCO – A jury recommended a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release for Dennis Cyrus, Jr., United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced. The recommended sentence was handed down for each of three murders Cyrus committed in aid of a Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization known as the “Page Street Mob,” which is centered in San Francisco’s Western Addition neighborhood.

June 26, 2009

COUNTY OF MENDOCINO AGREES TO REPAY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION FOR FUNDS IT IMPROPERLY RECEIVED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S SOUTHWEST BORDER PROSECUTION INITIATIVE

The County of Mendocino has agreed to repay the Department of Justice more than $1.7 million for grant funds that it improperly received through the Department’s Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn A. Fine announced.

June 25, 2009

Brown Files 92 Criminal Charges Against Woman who Bilked Retirees to Fund Gambling Habit

Sacramento -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that prosecutors from his office have filed grand theft, embezzlement and burglary charges against Maria Elna Flora, 59, of Sacramento, after she "fleeced" retirees out of almost $350,000 to pay for a daily gambling habit.

June 24, 2009

GARMENT DISTRICT WHOLESALER RECEIVES TWO AND A HALF YEAR PRISON TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN DESIGNER GOODS

Search of defendant's business turned up thousands of counterfeit handbags, shoes, and other apparel

June 23, 2009

FORMER HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE PLEADS GUILTY TO PAYING KICKBACKS IN ‘SKID ROW’ HEALTHCARE FRAUD SCHEME

The former co-owner and board chairman of City of Angels Medical Center pleaded guilty to paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals in United States District Court in Los Angeles today. Robert Bourseau, 74, who maintains residences in Rancho Mirage and downtown Los Angeles, admitted to paying illegal kickbacks as part of a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medi-Cal by recruiting homeless persons from Los Angeles’ Skid Row.

June 22, 2009

Judge Orders Defendant to Pay More Than $514,000 In Restitution and Serve Ten Months In Federal Prison For Bankruptcy Fraud and Tax Evasion

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Stevan Charles Pedroarena was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable Jeffrey T. Miller, United States District Court Judge

June 19, 2009

OWNER OF PLEASANTON RECRUITING SERVICE SENTENCED TO 27 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR SCHEME TO DEFRAUD NEWPORT BEACH INVESTOR

Ordered to pay $595,833 in restitution

OAKLAND, Calif. – John Kevin Thompson was sentenced yesterday to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $595,833.34 for charges relating to an investment fraud scheme, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

June 18, 2009

PACIFIC POSTAL CREDIT UNION ROBBER SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS AND 1 MONTH IN PRISON

SAN FRANCISCO – Just under four months after pleading guilty to armed bank robbery of the Pacific Postal Credit Union in San Francisco, Sefo Sagote was sentenced to 11 years and one month in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

June 17, 2009

MEXICAN MAFIA MEMBER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

Salvador Perez was sentenced today to a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole by United States District Judge Dana M. Sabraw, announced United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt.

June 16, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO MAN SENTENCED TO 100 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ROLE IN IDENTITY THEFT

SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco man was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for his role in an identity theft operation, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

June 15, 2009

TWO INDICTED IN LARGE IDENTITY THEFT SCHEME

Property Seized after Execution of Five Search Warrants in Fresno Area

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury indicted ALFRED DARNELL FORD, 53, of Fresno and DONALD RAY JORDAN, 57, on Thursday with 24 counts: one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of access device fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, three counts of identity theft, three counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of criminal forfeiture.

June 12, 2009

TWO LINKED TO INLAND EMPIRE INVESTMENT SCAM TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER BEING CHARGED IN $23 MILLION SCHEME

RIVERSIDE, California – Two people have been taken into custody after being indicted by a federal grand jury in a $23 million Ponzi scheme related to an Inland Empire operation called Financial Solutions.

June 11, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF FALSELY CLAIMING TO BE ATTORNEY ARRESTED AGAIN FOR SAME CONDUCT

SANTA ANA, California – A Newport Beach man who was convicted for holding himself out as an attorney to courts, lawyers and paying clients has been arrested – approximately one month after his release from federal prison – for again holding himself out to be a lawyer.

June 10, 2009

EUROPEAN FRAUDSTER ARRESTED INDICTED IN ALLEGED SCAM THAT BILKED INVESTORS OUT AT LEAST $7 MILLION

A British national has been arrested on federal fraud and tax charges that allege he ran an investment scam that took more than $7 million from victims who were promised that their money would be maintained in safe accounts and used only to back the purchase of bonds.

June 09, 2009

DEFENDANT IN MODESTO RACKETEERING CASE PLEADS GUILTY

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that MICHAEL J. OROZCO, 51, of Manteca, California, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger to conspiracy to collect extensions of credit by extortionate means as part of the racketeering indictment brought by the United States against Stanislaus County business owner ROBERT C. HOLLOWAY and others.

June 08, 2009

SHORE TERMINALS LLC PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING FALSE STATEMENT CONCERNING CLEAN AIR ACT REQUIREMENTS

SAN FRANCISCO – Shore Terminals LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation, pleaded guilty today in front of the Honorable Susan Illston to one felony count of submitting a false annual report to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the facility’s compliance with the Clean Air Act, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

June 05, 2009

‘BAD WIG BANDIT,’ ACCOMPLICE SENTENCED FOR BANK ROBBERIES

SAN FRANCISCO – Two residents of San Jose, Calif., were sentenced in United States District Court in San Francisco yesterday for their involvement in a series of bank robberies last summer, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

June 04, 2009

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO STEROID DISTRIBUTION, HGH IMPORTATION, AND MONEY LAUNDERING

Physician Admits Distributing Steroids Without Medical Justification

SAN JOSE – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Dr. Ramon Scruggs pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to illegally distribute anabolic steroids and illegally smuggle human growth hormone into the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and one count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A).

June 03, 2009

Brown Files Criminal Charges Against Three Individuals Who Operated $200 Million Ponzi Scheme

Redding - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. last night filed 79 criminal charges against three men who "callously swindled" thousands of individuals, including many retirees who lost their life savings, in a $200 million Ponzi scheme.

June 02, 2009

FEDERAL COURT IN SACRAMENTO UPHOLDS CONSTITUTIONALITY OF MANDATORY DNA COLLECTION OF ALL INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED ON FEDERAL FELONY CHARGES

United States Magistrate Judge Gregory G. Hollows’ Decision Is the First of Its Kind in the Federal Courts

June 01, 2009

GARBERVILLE RESIDENTS PLEAD GUILTY IN MARIJUANA CULTIVATING OPERATION

Forfeited four pieces of real property and $945,000 Promissory Note
SAN FRANCISCO – Jordan Pyhtila and Jessie Jeffries pleaded guilty yesterday to maintaining a place to manufacture marijuana and conspiracy to launder money, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello.

May 29, 2009

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IN SACRAMENTO AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DECLINE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST SENATOR DON PERATA

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office and the United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, have completed their review of the investigation of Senator Don Perata and have declined to file criminal charges. The U.S. Attorney issued the following statement:

May 28, 2009

MARYLAND DEFENSE CONTRACTOR PAYS OVER $1.7 MILLION TO SETTLE CIVIL ALLEGATIONS OF DEFRAUDING THE AIR FORCE

EG&G Technical Services, Inc., a national defense contractor based in Germantown, Maryland, has paid the United States $1,765,164.46 to settle allegations that it defrauded the United States Air Force.

May 27, 2009

FOUR CHARGED IN BIZARRE SHAKE DOWN CONNECTED TO $40 MILLION PONZI SCHEME

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown, FBI
Special Agent-in-Charge Drew Parenti, and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special-Agent-in-Charge Scot O’Briant announced that MICHAEL DAVID SANDERS, aka David Dennis SANDERS, 41, of Fair Oaks, Calif.; CRAIG ANDERSON, 39, of Chicago; CASSANDRA MOORE, 26, of Beverly Hills, Calif.; and SEAN SMARTT, 41, of Sacramento, have been indicted in a conspiracy to impersonate an officer and employee of the United States.

May 26, 2009

Sheriff’s Sergeant Arraigned on Sexual Assault, False Imprisonment Charges

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s sergeant accused of sexually assaulting one woman and inappropriately searching two others while on duty was arraigned today, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

May 25, 2009

PLUMAS LAKE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO COMPUTER FRAUD

Admitted to Using the Internet to Steal Micro-Deposits

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that MICHAEL LARGENT, 23, of Plumas Lake, Calif., pleaded guilty today to fraud and related activity in connection with computers.

May 22, 2009

DOWN BELOW GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 496 MONTHS

SAN FRANCISCO – Emile Fort was sentenced yesterday to 496 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine to the Victim’s of Crime Fund, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

May 21, 2009

FORMER CENTRAL COAST SHERIFF’S DEPUTY PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGE OF POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

A former deputy with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department pleaded guilty today to possession of child pornography.

May 20, 2009

Former Attorney Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Todd Smith, a former attorney, pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego before United States Magistrate Judge William McCurine to one count of tax evasion for the 2002 tax year. In his plea, Smith admitted to evading $60,000 in taxes in 2002 and 2003. The plea is subject to final acceptance by a United States District Court Judge at the time of sentencing

May 19, 2009

GUILTY PLEA IN HOAX BOMB THREAT TO DELTA AIRLINES

SACRAMENTO: United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that APUN MAHAPATRA, 31, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today before Senior District Court Judge Edward J. Garcia to making a hoax bomb threat to Delta Airlines.

May 18, 2009

Middleman Convicted in UCLA Body Parts Case

LOS ANGELES – The middleman in the unauthorized sale of body parts-for-profit scheme from UCLA’s Willed Body program was convicted today of conspiracy, grand theft and filing false tax returns.

May 15, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO CONTRACTOR INDICTED FOR INCOME TAX EVASION

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury indicted Patrick Paul Brennan, of Millbrae, Calif., yesterday with three counts of income tax evasion for tax years 2002, 2003 and 2004, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

May 14, 2009

CHICO MAN SENTENCED IN SCHEME TO SMUGGLE TORTOISES INTO THE U.S.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that this morning Senior United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton sentenced GARRETT SMITH, 40, of Chico, Calif., to three years probation, six months home detention, 144 hours of community service, and a fine of $2,000, in connection with Smith’s conviction for engaging in an international conspiracy to smuggle protected tortoises into the United States.

May 13, 2009

NEW JERSEY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO LAUNCHING ATTACK THAT SHUT DOWN CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY WEBSITES

NEWARK, New Jersey – A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to his role in a cyber attack on Church of Scientology websites in January 2008 that rendered the websites unavailable.

May 12, 2009

Brown Sends Mastermind of $20 Million Real Estate Scheme to Prison

NEVADA COUNTY -Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that the man behind an "elaborate real estate scam," Thomas Hastert, pled guilty today to 59 felony counts of embezzlement, securities fraud, and selling unregistered securities.

May 11, 2009

POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR FALSELY CLAIMING SILVER STAR MILITARY DECORATION AND FOR LYING TO FEDERAL AGENTS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that ERIC GENE PIOTROWSKI, 41, of Elk Grove, Calif., was arrested this morning for misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses related to falsely claiming he was awarded a Silver Star military decoration and for lying to federal agents.

May 08, 2009

RECIDIVIST BANK ROBBER PLEADS GUILTY TO ROBBING LAUREL VILLAGE BANK OF AMERICA BRANCH

SAN FRANCISCO – Elisa M. Lipkins pleaded guilty yesterday to robbing $7,020 from the Bank of America branch in San Francisco’s Laurel Village, U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

May 07, 2009

DOWNEY MAN CONVICTED OF BRIBING BANK MANAGER AND FALSIFYING BANK RECORDS

A Mexican national who ran an investment scheme that targeted the Hispanic community in East Los Angeles was found guilty this afternoon of bribing a bank manager to falsify bank records and release holds on millions of dollars in checks that he deposited at the bank.

May 06, 2009

NEW JERSEY MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH ONGOING TOMATO INDUSTRY PROBE

Former Director of Purchasing for B&G Foods Inc. Admits to Accepting Bribes

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that ROBERT C. TURNER Jr., 59, of Randolph, N.J., pleaded guilty this morning before United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton to two counts of honest services mail fraud in connection with an ongoing federal investigation into various illicit activities in the tomato processing industry. He has further agreed to pay $65,198 in restitution to his former employers, B&G Foods Inc. and Nabisco Inc.

May 05, 2009

PRESIDENT OF ALLIED TELECOM INTERNATIONAL SENTENCED TO 27 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR TAX EVASION

Diverted more than $1.9 million of income from corporation to herself

SAN FRANCISCO – The author of “Daughter of the Yellow River” and Chief Executive Officer of Image Global Impact was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $557,363 in restitution for tax evasion and filing false tax returns, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Scott O’Briant.

May 04, 2009

Indictment Charges Local Man With Mail Fraud Involving Alleged ATM Investment Scheme

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that today a federal grand jury sitting in San Diego handed up a fifteen-count indictment charging Richard M. Hersch with Mail Fraud and Conspiracy to Structure Financial Transactions.

May 01, 2009

DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO CONVERTING EMPLOYEE PENSION FUNDS

Physician/President of Central Coast Medical Specialists Admits to Illegally Withdrawing Money from ERISA-Regulated Plan

April 30, 2009

FORMER ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF MICHAEL S. CARONA SENTENCED TO 5½ YEARS IN PRISON FOR WITNESS TAMPERING

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Michael S. Carona, the former sheriff of Orange County, was sentenced today to 66 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000 after being convicted of witness tampering for attempting to convince a former assistant to lie to and withhold testimony from a federal grand jury that was investigating allegations of corruption in Carona’s campaign for sheriff and his activities after taking office.

April 29, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO MAN SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN IDENTITY THEFT

SAN FRANCISCO – James Linville was sentenced Friday to 45 months in prison for assuming the identity of another person and possessing more than 15 credit cards in that person’s name, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

April 28, 2009

SACRAMENTO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TRANSPORTATION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that MARK ANTONIE LAWSON, 26, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty last Friday before United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton to transportation of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

April 27, 2009

CUBAN NATIONAL ACCUSED OF DEFRAUDING OTHER IMMIGRANTS BY POSING AS ATTORNEY AND CHARGING FEES AT THE SAME IMMIGRATION COURT WHERE HE HAD BEEN ORDERED DEPORTED

A Cuban national who was ordered deported, but was released from custody because he could not be removed to Cuba, is expected to make his initial appearance in Los Angeles this afternoon on charges related to a scheme in which he allegedly assumed the identity of an attorney and charged aliens to represent them in the very immigration court where he had been ordered deported.

April 24, 2009

JURY FINDS NATOMAS MAN GUILTY IN CRACK COCAINE DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal jury convicted ANTHONY EUGENE WASHINGTON, 60, of Sacramento, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of distribution of cocaine.

April 23, 2009

OWNER OF NUMERO UNO MARKETS CONVICTED OF FEDERAL RACKETEERING CHARGES AFTER JURY FINDS HE SOLICITED MURDER, BRIBED PUBLIC OFFICIAL

The owner of the Los Angeles-based Numero Uno supermarket chain was convicted today of participating in a racketeering enterprise that was involved in a host of illegal activities, including solicitation of murder, bribery of a public official, harboring illegal aliens and tax violations.

April 22, 2009

FONTANA WOMAN CONVICTED IN MORTGAGE FRAUD CASE INVOLVING MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FRAUDULENT LOANS

The fourth defendant in a mortgage fraud scheme that fraudulently collected more than $1 million in loan proceeds was convicted today on federal charges for acting as a “straw borrower” who posed as the purchaser of one of the properties.

April 21, 2009

PHYSICAL THERAPY COMPANY PAYS OVER $200,000 TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUDULENT BILLINGS TO MEDICARE

A Glendale physical therapy company that contracts with Southern California Hospitals to operate hospital therapy departments, as well as its owners and operators, have paid the government $233,345 to resolve allegations in a “whistleblower” lawsuit that they caused the submission of false claims to Medicare.

April 20, 2009

TWO ARRESTED IN FRAUDULENT TAX REFUND SCHEME IN CENTRAL VALLEY

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that ANTONIO PANTOJA AHUMADA, 46, of Planada, Calif., and ERNESTO GARCIA GONZALEZ, 37, of Arvin, Calif., were arrested yesterday for their involvement in a fraudulent tax refund scheme in the Central Valley.

April 17, 2009

FOLSOM MAN INDICTED IN $40 MILLION PONZI SCHEME

Defrauded 150 Investors, Many from His Church

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Drew Parenti, and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special-Agent-in-Charge Scott O’Briant announced that a grand jury has returned an indictment alleging mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering against ANTHONY VASSALLO, 29, of Folsom, Calif. for his role in a massive investment fraud scheme that brought in more that $40 million from 150 investors, many of whom he met in church. VASSALLO will next appear in court on April 16, 2009, at 2:00 PM before United States Magistrate Judge Dale A. Drozd.

April 16, 2009

Brown Charges State Bar Employee with Embezzlement and Filing False Tax Returns

OAKLAND - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday filed seven criminal charges against Sharon Elyce Pearl, who embezzled $675,000 from the State Bar of California to pay for "spa treatments, designer clothes, lavish meals, and fancy hotel rooms."

April 15, 2009

DEFENSE CONTRACTOR SENTENCED TO PRISON IN SPAWAR BRIBERY SCHEME

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Pamela Banks was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable Larry A. Burns to serve 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, based on her guilty plea on August 5, 2008, to bribing a public official employed by the United States Navy in return for government contracts.

April 14, 2009

VENTURA COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SELLING ‘MAGIC MUSHROOMS’ CONSUMED BY TEEN LATER KILLED ON FREEWAY

LOS ANGELES – A Westlake Village man has pleaded guilty to federal
charges of distributing narcotics for selling hallucinogenic mushrooms that were
used by a group of young people, including a 17-year-old girl who took the “magic
mushrooms” and was later fatally struck by a vehicle on the Ventura Freeway.
Steven Thomas Roman, 30, of Westlake Village, pleaded guilty late
yesterday to three felony charges, including distribution of a controlled substance
to a person under 21 years of age resulting in death.

April 13, 2009

GRAND JURY INDICTS EAST PALO ALTO WOMAN ON DRUG CHARGES

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Deisy Valdovinos Pacheco, of 2251 Illinois Avenue in East Palo Alto, yesterday with two counts of distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

April 10, 2009

TWENTY-FOUR INDIVIDUALS CHARGED IN RICO CONSPIRACY BASED ON AN EXTENSIVE MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME WITH PROPERTIES SOLD FOR MORE THAN $100 MILLION DOLLARS

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging twenty-four individuals with Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity (RICO).

April 09, 2009

Brown Announces Weekend Seizure of Black Tar Heroin Worth $10 Million

Anaheim, Calif. - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that agents from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement on Saturday arrested a Mexican national, Gerardo Medina Hernandez, and seized 95 pounds of black tar heroin from his sports utility vehicle.

April 08, 2009

HEFTY SENTENCES FOR MODESTO DRUG TRAFFICKERS

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown, announced today that United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced JUAN LUIS ALEMAN, 27, and JOSE EFRAIN RANGEL-GARCIA, 26, both illegal aliens from Mexico to 12 and 11 years in prison respectively for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

April 07, 2009

FORMER SAN FRANCISCO SUPERVISOR EDMUND JEW SENTENCED TO 64 MONTHS

SAN FRANCISCO – Former San Francisco Supervisor Edmund Jew was sentenced today to 64 months in prison for bribery, extortion, and mail fraud by deprivation of honest services, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

April 06, 2009

PLACER COUNTY MAN INDICTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging MANUEL KEITH VASQUEZ, 32, of Roseville, Calif., with possessing, receiving, and transporting visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

April 03, 2009

ROSEVILLE MAN INDICTED FOR SHINING LASER AT TWO AIRCRAFT

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging BALLTAZAR O. VALLADARES, 29, of Roseville, Calif., with interference with the safe operation of an aircraft by shining a powerful handheld laser into the cockpit.

April 02, 2009

FEDERAL PRISONERS INDICTED FOR TAX SCAM

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging JUAN DIEGO PAUCAR, 46, SCOTT EDWARD WHITNEY, 40, and ERIK TROY ALEXANDER, 41, all presently incarcerated at Herlong Federal Prison, with conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims, and charging WHITNEY with filing a false claim.

April 01, 2009

I.R.S. REVENUE AGENT AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO TAX FRAUD FOR FAILING TO REPORT INCOME ON HIS PERSONAL TAX RETURN

A revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service has agreed to plead guilty to a federal tax fraud charge for filing a personal income tax return that claimed he suffered a loss in a real estate transaction, when in fact he realized a substantial profit.

March 31, 2009

STOCKTON FAMILY MEMBERS INDICTED FOR $2 MILLION IN FOOD STAMP FRAUD

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging AHMAD KHAN, 51, and his brother, MUMRAIZ KHAN, 48, both of Stockton, with conspiracy, food stamp fraud, money laundering, and conducting a monetary transaction in criminally derived property. AHMAD KHAN’s daughter, NAHEED KHAN, 23, of Stockton, was charged with conspiracy. A previously filed criminal complaint alleged that AHMAD KHAN had also employed two other minor family members in the scheme.

March 30, 2009

SOUTH KOREAN WOMAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF IMPORTING BEAR BILE FROM CHINA

A South Korean citizen was charged today with violating the Endangered Species Act by importing nearly a kilogram of bear bile harvested in China.

March 27, 2009

THREE INVOLVED IN STEALING GOLD FROM EAST BAY MANUFACTURER SENTENCED

OAKLAND, Calif. – Three East Bay men were sentenced in United States District Court in Oakland today for their roles in a gold stealing conspiracy, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

March 26, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR ILLEGAL FIREARM POSSESSION

SAN FRANCISCO – Maurice Allen was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

March 25, 2009

DAVID SCOTT CACCHIONE CHARGED WITH SECURITIES FRAUD

San Francisco broker charged with aiding and abetting fraud in connection with more than $100 million in loans

March 24, 2009

Two Former Border Patrol Agents Extradited From Mexico To Face Smuggling Charges

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today that two former United States Border Patrol (BP) agents, Raul Villarreal and Fidel Villarreal, as well as Claudia Gonzalez and Armando Garcia, were arraigned today in federal court in San Diego before Magistrate Judge Leo S. Papas on an 18-count indictment.

March 23, 2009

FORMER MORGAN HILL MAN SENTENCED TO 27 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR TAX FRAUD

Ordered to Pay Restitution of $111,769

SAN FRANCISCO -- David Marion Simcho was sentenced Monday to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $111,769 for his role in marketing and promoting a fraudulent trust package to eliminate or reduce tax liability, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Scott O’Briant announced.

March 21, 2009

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS EX-FBI AGENT AND ACCOMPLICE IN SCHEME TO COMMIT VIOLENT HOME-INVASION ROBBERY

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A New Orleans man who was a special agent with the FBI for over a decade was convicted of several federal charges related to a scheme to commit a home-invasion robbery at a residence he thought was a drug “stash house.”

March 20, 2009

SILICON VALLEY HEDGE FUND MANAGER ARRESTED IN HONG KONG ON EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES

SAN JOSE, Calif. – A Silicon Valley Hedge Fund manager was arrested yesterday in Hong Kong on a provisional arrest warrant requested by the United States government that related to six counts of wire fraud, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

March 19, 2009

UPLAND MAN INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY DAMAGING COMPUTER SYSTEMS USED TO MONITOR OFF-SHORE OIL PLATFORMS

An Upland man who worked at a company that operated off-shore oil platforms was indicted today on federal charges of damaging the company’s computer systems after it declined to offer him permanent employment.

March 17, 2009

GUILTY PLEA IN FRESNO STATE GRADE-CHANGING SCHEME

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that ANTONIO LAMAR PRATT, 32, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud and identity theft for his involvement in a grade-changing scheme involving California State University, Fresno.

March 16, 2009

FAIRFIELD MAN INDICTED FOR FALSELY PRESENTING HIMSELF AS AN ENROLLED AGENT CERTIFIED BY IRS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a 17-count indictment charging KEITH THAYER TOWNS, 46, of Fairfield, Calif., with 16 felony charges of false statements to IRS and one misdemeanor charge for misusing the name of the IRS.

March 13, 2009

FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLEMENT-RELATED CHARGES

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that JERRY L. BURNES, 65, of Clovis, Calif., pleaded guilty today to mail fraud and making and subscribing a false tax return.

March 12, 2009

CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN CHARGED WITH BANKRUPTCY FRAUD

A Canadian businessman who used to own the Edmonton Oilers hockey team was arrested this morning at his Palm Springs-area home on charges of bankruptcy fraud for allegedly concealing assets during bankruptcy proceedings.

March 11, 2009

LEADER OF RING THAT MOVED OVER 9,000 ILLEGAL ALIENS ACROSS U.S. RECEIVES 6½-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

A Guatemalan national who helped run a Los Angeles-based organization that harbored and transported more than 9,000 illegal aliens was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison.

March 10, 2009

IDENTITY THIEF GETS 3 ½ YEARS IMPRISONMENT AFTER BEING CAUGHT ON VIDEO AT THUNDER VALLEY CASINO

SACRAMENTO–Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that CLAUDIU HOTEA, 35, of Riverside was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England to 3 ½ years imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release, and $17,000 in restitution.

March 09, 2009

MAN WHO FORMED TERRORIST GROUP THAT PLOTTED ATTACKS ON MILITARY AND JEWISH FACILITIES SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former inmate in a California state prison who formed a domestic terrorist group that planned to attack United States military operations, “infidels,” and Israeli and Jewish facilities in the Los Angeles area was sentenced this morning to 16 years in federal prison.

March 06, 2009

YEARS IN PRISON IN FEDERAL WIRETAPPING AND IDENTITY THEFT CASE INFORMATION SECURITY CONSULTANT SENTENCED TO 4

Concluding the first prosecution of its kind in the nation, a man associated with the “botnet underground” was sentenced late today to 48 months in federal prison for using his “botnets” – armies of compromised computers – to steal the identities of victims throughout the country by extracting information from their personal computers and wiretapping their communications.

March 05, 2009

VINCENT ANTHONY PIAZZA INDICTED IN BANK ROBBERY

New Orleans Native Indicted for robbing Citibank branch in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Anthony Vincent Piazza on Thursday for robbing a Citibank branch located at 99 Post Street in San Francisco February 20, 2009.

March 04, 2009

BAKERSFIELD VETERAN CONVICTED OF DEFRAUDING DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict today, convicting ROGER KEITH REMY, 55, of Bakersfield, Calif., of three counts of submitting false documents and three counts of submitting false claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The jury returned the guilty verdict after a three-day trial in Fresno before United States District Judge Oliver Wanger.

March 03, 2009

SECOND MAN INVOLVED IN MASSIVE FRAUD AGAINST HSBC SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Scams Led to Approximately $46 Million in Losses to Lender

A former Alhambra-based CPA who was involved in several elaborate schemes that defrauded HSBC Business Credit (USA) out of approximately $46 million through a series of fraudulently obtained credit lines was sentenced today to 2½ years in federal prison.

March 02, 2009

CARRIBEAN MAN INDICTED FOR ORCHESTRATING ILLEGAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS

LOS ANGELES – A resident of the Dominican Republic was indicted today on federal criminal charges for allegedly making tens of thousands of dollars of illegal campaign contributions to three candidates running for president of the United States and one person running for governor of the state of Florida.

February 27, 2009

DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO HEALTH CARE FRAUD FOR GIVING AIDS AND HIV PATIENTS DILUTED MEDICATIONS

A well-known AIDS doctor has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges for "subdosing" patients by administering doses of medicine that contained less than the prescribed amount of medication that the patients were supposed to receive.

February 26, 2009

BISHOP WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLING $760,000 FROM WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that JO ANN BARBA, 42, of Bishop, Calif. pleaded guilty today to bank embezzlement before United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill.

February 25, 2009

CHINESE MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ILLEGALLY EXPORTING SENSITIVE THERMAL-IMAGING TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA

LOS ANGELES – A Chinese national was found guilty today of two federal charges related to a plot to procure and export thermal-imaging cameras to the People’s Republic of China without obtaining the necessary licenses.

February 24, 2009

FIVE INDICTED ON MORTGAGE FRAUD CHARGES

Bay Area Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Agent Among Those Charged with Conspiring to Defraud Four Different Banks of More Than One Million Dollars

February 23, 2009

BORDER OFFICER WHO ALLOWED ILLEGAL ALIENS, MARIJUANA TO BE SMUGGLED INTO U.S. SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN PRISON

SAN DIEGO – A former officer with Customs and Border Protection Officer was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for being part of a conspiracy that smuggled illegal aliens and marijuana into the United States.

February 20, 2009

Los Angeles Man Convicted of Being “The Koreatown Rapist”

LOS ANGELES – Jurors deliberated for four hours before convicting a 32-year-old man known as the “The Koreatown Rapist” of more than dozen counts, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

February 19, 2009

CAPTURED FUGITIVE CHRISTOPHER J. WARREN’S SAFE DEPOSIT BOX IN PHOENIX BANK SEARCHED BY FEDERAL AGENTS

Gold Coins and Currency Seized

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that earlier today federal agents seized gold coins and currency from a safe deposit box rented by CHRISTOPHER J. WARREN in Phoenix. United States Magistrate Judge David K. Duncan in Phoenix signed the search warrant this morning.

February 18, 2009

NINE INDICTED FROM FRESNO, SAN JOSE, AND SEATTLE IN LARGE-SCALE KHAT CONSPIRACY

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that MOHAMED GASS HERSI, 50, AMRAN ISMAIL ALI, 45, GASS MOHAMED GASS HERSI, 22, ABDIKADIR MOHAMED GASS, 19, FOOSIYA MOHAMED GASS, 20, MUHYADIIN ISMAIL ALI, 42, all of Fresno, and ABDULKADIR GASS HERSI, 52, ZEMZEM MOHAMED ILMI, 44, of Seattle, and YUSUR ROBLE SAID, 43, of San Jose, Calif., were indicted in a 14-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, distribution and importation of Khat, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of Khat, possession with intent to distribute Khat and money laundering.

February 17, 2009

APL LTD. TO PAY U.S. $26.3 MILLION TO RESOLVE FRAUD ALLEGATIONS FOR INFLATED SHIPPING COSTS TO MILITARY IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

WASHINGTON – APL Limited has agreed to pay the government $26.3 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to the United States in connection with contracts to transport cargo in shipping containers to support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Joseph P. Russoniello, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, and the Justice Department announced today. The government alleges that APL, a wholly-owned American subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines Limited, knowingly overcharged and double-billed the Department of Defense to transport thousands of containers from ports to inland delivery destinations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

February 16, 2009

FUGITIVE IN $100M ROSEVILLE-BASED MORTGAGE FRAUD ARRESTED

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that fugitive CHRISTOPHER J. WARREN, 26, of Sacramento, was arrested late last night while attempting to cross from Canada into Buffalo, N.Y., under a false name. Brown also announced that GARRET GRIFFITH GILILLAND III, 27, of Chico, Calif., who had also been a fugitive, was arrested on October 16, 2008, and is in the custody of Spanish authorities.

February 13, 2009

FIVE DEFENDANTS CONVICTED OF INTERNATIONAL SEX TRAFFICKING FOR FORCING GUATEMALAN GIRLS AND WOMEN INTO PROSTITUTION

LOS ANGELES – Five defendants, all members or associates of an extended family, face potential life prison sentences after being found guilty today of international sex trafficking for participating in a scheme that lured young Central American women and girls into the Los Angeles area and forced them into prostitution, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien for the Central District of California.

February 12, 2009

CHICO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SCHEME TO SMUGGLE PROTECTED TORTOISES INTO THE UNITED STATES

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that GARRETT SMITH, 40, of Chico, Calif., pleaded guilty to engaging in an international conspiracy to smuggle protected tortoises into the United States and to money laundering.

February 11, 2009

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY DOCTOR ARRESTED FOR DISPENSING NARCOTICS WITHOUT EXAMINING HIS ‘PATIENTS’

A physician with a practice in Duarte was arrested today on federal narcotics charges for allegedly dispensing powerful and addictive painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, directly out of his office without examining “patients” who simply paid him cash for pills.

February 10, 2009

FEDERAL GRAND JURY CHARGES NINE WITH DRUGS AND GUN CRIMES

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury in San Francisco charged nine individuals with multiple drug trafficking offenses, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello.

February 09, 2009

U.S. COURT REJECTS TWO PROMINENT L.A. REAL ESTATE INVESTORS’ ATTEMPT TO USE TAX AVOIDANCE SCHEME

LOS ANGELES – A federal judge in Los Angeles has invalidated an abusive tax shelter scheme engaged in by prominent real estate investors James Thomas and Edward Fox, the Justice Department announced today. United States District Judge John F. Walter made the ruling in a 52-page ruling filed yesterday.

February 06, 2009

WILLIAM “BOOTS” DEL BIAGGIO, III PLEADS GUILTY TO SECURITIES FRAUD

Silicon Valley businessman defrauded lenders in connection with more than $100 million in loans

SAN FRANCISCO – Pursuant to a plea agreement, William “Boots” Del Biaggio, III, of San Jose, Calif., pleaded guilty yesterday before Hon. Charles R. Breyer to one count of securities fraud, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello.

February 05, 2009

OREGON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ARMED BANK ROBBERY OF PREMIER WEST BANK IN SISKIYOU COUNTY

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that EDWARD JAY SILVA, 31, of Medford, Ore., pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. to armed bank robbery of the Premier West Bank in Siskiyou County, Calif.

February 04, 2009

COUNTY OF SAN MATEO AGREES TO REPAY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION FOR FUNDS IT IMPROPERLY RECEIVED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S SOUTHWEST BORDER PROSECUTION INITIATIVE

SAN FRANCISCO – The County of San Mateo has agreed to repay the Department of Justice more than $1.5 million for grant funds it improperly received through the Department’s Southwest Border Prosecution Initiative, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn A. Fine announced today.

February 03, 2009

OPERATOR OF STANDARD HOTEL IN LOS ANGELES CHARGED IN DUMPING OF CHEMICALS THAT CAUSED ILLNESSES IN SUBWAY

In an incident that raised fears of a terrorist attack, the operator of the Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles has been charged with violating federal environmental laws by causing the dumping of pool chemicals that led to a street closure and several people becoming ill.

February 02, 2009

FORMER HOSPITAL OWNER ARRESTED IN KICKBACK SCHEME THAT DEFRAUDED GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS THROUGH UNNECESSARY TREATMENTS TO HOMELESS

The former co-owner of a Los Angeles-area hospital was arrested this morning on federal charges of paying illegal kickbacks as part of a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medi-Cal by recruiting homeless persons from Los Angeles’ Skid Row.

January 30, 2009

FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN INDICTED ON CHARGES RELATED TO BOGUS INVESTMENT SCAM INVOLVING INTERNET COMPANIES

Scheme Bilked Investors across the Country out of more than $10 Million

A former United States Congressman was indicted today on federal money laundering and tax charges related to a investment fraud scheme that took more than $10 million from victims.

January 29, 2009

FORMER CAMPBELL BUSINESSMAN CHARGED WITH TAX EVASION, ILLEGAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION, FRAUD IN SALES OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Owner and Operator of Cocoon Nutrition Conspired To Distribute Genuine and Fraudulent Human Growth Hormone, Deposited Money In Offshore Bank Accounts And A Created False Corporate Identity To Conceal Income Derived From Sales Of Products

January 28, 2009

CLOVIS BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED ON FEDERAL TAX FRAUD CHARGES

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced that Chief United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced MICHAEL RAY GORDEN, 40, of Clovis, Calif., today to 15 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, for his conviction on one felony count of conspiring to defraud the United States and two felony counts of making and subscribing to false tax returns. He pleaded guilty on August 7, 2008.

January 27, 2009

FORMER “ESCORT” PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION

Stanford Law Graduate Took Up Career as High-End Prostitute

SAN FRANCISCO – Former Stanford Law graduate Cristina L. Warthen today plead guilty to tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Scott O’Briant.

January 26, 2009

FORMER SOUTH BAY FINANCIAL ADVISOR ARRESTED FOR FRAUD

Misappropriated $1.7 Million in Client Funds

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Robin Bruce McNabb was arrested last week by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and subsequently turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced today. McNabb was indicted on November 12, 2008, with nine counts of bank fraud and nine counts of wire fraud.

January 23, 2009

TWO SISTERS INDICTED FOR MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME IN VALLEJO

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging RALONDRIA STAFFORD, 34, of San Francisco, and NECOLE WARD, 30, of Las Vegas, (both formerly of Vallejo, Calif.) with crimes relating to a mortgage fraud scheme carried out in Vallejo between 2005 and 2006. The defendants, who are sisters, operated RN Realtors in Vallejo. The indictment charges them with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity (money laundering).

January 22, 2009

Welfare Cheats Sentenced

LOS ANGELES – Three Antelope Valley residents convicted of defrauding county, state and federal welfare programs out of more than $400,000 in funds were sentenced yesterday, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

January 21, 2009

WOMAN WHO PROMISED TO HELP HOMEOWNERS AVOID FORECLOSURE SENTENCED TO OVER 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR TAKING MILLIONS FROM INVESTORS IN FRAUDULENT SCHEME

The promoter of an $18 million real estate investment scheme that targeted African-American individuals in Southern California and other states was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison.

January 20, 2009

BAKERSFIELD RESIDENT CHARGED IN FALSE TAX SCHEME

FRESNO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment yesterday charging SHONTI N. CORKER, 25, of Bakersfield, Calif., with presenting false claims against the government.

January 19, 2009

VP OF LA-AREA COMPANY CHARGED WITH EXPORTING RESTRICTED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS TO CHINA

The vice president of a Hacienda Heights company made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon after being arrested over the weekend on charges of exporting high-tech integrated circuits to China in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

January 16, 2009

TEN DEFENDANTS IN LARGEST-EVER FEDERAL GANG CASE FOUND GUILTY OF RACKETEERING, NARCOTICS CHARGES

Members of Florencia 13 Gang Staged Attacks against African-Americans in Bid to Control Drug Trafficking in South Los Angeles Neighborhoods

January 15, 2009

VALLEJO GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 11 YEARS FOR METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that DAVID MICHAEL CAPENHURST, 26, of Vallejo, Calif., was sentenced today by United States District Judge John A. Mendez to 11 years and three months in federal prison followed by five years of federal supervised release. CAPENHURST pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine in violation of federal law on October 21, 2008.

January 14, 2009

FORMER FRY’S EXECUTIVE CHARGED IN KICKBACK SCHEME

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury this week indicted Ausaf Umar Siddiqui, of Palo Alto, Calif. on five counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Scott O’Briant.

January 13, 2009

“STUFFED SHIRT” BANK ROBBER, WHO WAS IDENTIFIED BY THUNDER VALLEY CASINO PERSONNEL, GETS MORE THAN 8 YEARS IN PRISON

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that SCOTT STEWART SINGEWALD, 42, of Roseville, Calif., was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Court Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. to eight years and one month in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for his role in seven bank robberies.

January 12, 2009

FORMER DOCTOR TO PAY MORE THAN $2,000,000 TO SETTLE CIVIL ALLEGATIONS OF DEFRAUDING MEDICARE PROGRAM

Paul A. Lessler, a former doctor, has agreed to pay the United States $2,180,000 to resolve allegations that he allowed his Medicare provider numbers to be used to bill the Medicare program for fraudulent respiratory therapy treatments. Lessler has agreed to pay the settlement to resolve civil allegations under the False Claims Act. He previously pled guilty to criminal conspiracy and health care fraud for the same conduct in a related criminal case in the Central District of California, United States v. Paul Arnold Lessler, et al., SA CR 07-21-JVS.

January 09, 2009

TWO MEN ARRESTED IN HACIENDA HEIGHTS FOR ILLEGALLY EXPORTING SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA

Sam Ching Sheng Lee, Part-Owner and Chief Operations Manager of Multimillion Business Associate Corporation (“MBA”), and his nephew, Charles Yu Hsu Lee, made initial appearances in United Stated District Court in Los Angeles today on federal charges related to a conspiracy to procure and illegally export sensitive technology to the People’s Republic of China.

January 08, 2009

MARYSVILLE MAN INDICTED ON MAIL THEFT AND DESTRUCTION CHARGEs

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a 19-count indictment charging DEAN EDWARD HUDSON, 29, of Marysville, Calif. with theft of mail by a postal employee and delay or destruction of mail by a postal employee.

January 07, 2009

Man Pleads Guilty to Assault on a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Fernando Mejia-Baron pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego to Count Four of the Indictment that charged him with Assault on a Federal Officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a) and (b). Mejia-Baron tendered his guilty plea before Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia, subject to final acceptance of the plea by United States District Court Judge Marilyn L. Huff, at the time of sentencing.

January 06, 2009

TWO FORMER PEREGRINE SYSTEMS, INC. EXECUTIVES SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON NEWS RELEASE

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Matthew C. Gless, former Chief Financial Officer of Peregrine Systems, Inc. (“Peregrine”), and Douglas S. Powanda, former Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales for Peregrine, were sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan.

January 05, 2009

Former President of xelan, Inc. Charged With Filing False Individual Income Tax Returns

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in San Diego handed up an indictment charging former xélan, Inc. president Lewis Donald Guess with two counts of filing false income tax returns.

January 02, 2009

Attorney General Brown Announces Shut-Down of Major Illegal Marijuana Operation

EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIF–Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies served 10 search warrants and 5 arrest warrants in El Dorado and Nevada Counties to shut down a “major illegal marijuana-growing operation” operating in northern California.

January 01, 2009

FORMER PARTNER IN RAY WERSCHING INSURANCE AGENCY SENTENCED TO 39 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

Defendant ordered to pay $8,308,410.87 in restitution to Farmers Insurance

SAN FRANCISCO – Mary Ann Locke was sentenced last week to 39 months in prison and ordered to pay $8,308,410.87 in restitution for embezzling funds belonging to Farmers Insurance Group, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello.

December 31, 2008

Attorney General Brown Sues to Overturn Bush Administration Rules Undermining Endangered Species Act

SAN FRANCISCO– California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. has filed suit in federal court to block an “audacious attempt” by the Bush Administration to gut provisions in the Endangered Species Act mandating scientific review of federal agency decisions that may threaten endangered species and their habitat.

December 30, 2008

INDICTMENT UNSEALED FOR FRESNO DRUG DEALER

Found with BZP Near a Central Fresno High School

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today the unsealing of a federal indictment charging THANONGSACK PHUANGKEO, 31, of Fresno, with possessing with intent to distribute N-benzylpiperazine, also known as BZP, and possessing with intent to distribute the drug within 1,000 feet of DeWolf High School.

December 29, 2008

ARRESTED ON FEDERAL WARRANTS FOR ALLEGED DEALING OF CRACK COCAINE

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted Owen Dunn, Wickett D. Morris, Jay Kent, Yusef Sterling, Byron Pratt, and Latoya Fulbright, all of San Francisco, with Distribution of Cocaine Base in the form of Crack Cocaine, announced United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello.

December 26, 2008

SACRAMENTO AREA FRAUDSTER ENTERS GUILTY PLEAS IN ‘CASH BACK’ MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that DEREK DAVIS, aka Terry McCullough, 62, of Sacramento, entered guilty pleas before United States District Judge Edward J. Garcia to mail fraud and structuring currency transactions with a financial institution to evade Currency Transaction Reports (CTR) in connection with his role in a widespread mortgage fraud scheme involving the purchase of numerous real properties in Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer Counties. The losses caused by DAVIS’s conduct exceed $2,500,000.

December 25, 2008

ORGANIZER OF FRAUDULENT GOVERNMENT LOAN SCHEME SENTENCED TO THIRTEEN MONTHS IMPRISONMENT

Defendant Ordered to Pay Fine of $ 1.2 Million; Wife of Organizer Also Convicted of Felony and Ordered to Pay Fine of $100,000

December 24, 2008

TWO BUSINESSMEN INDICTED IN SCHEME TO AVOID PAYING TOBACCO TAX

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a grand jury returned an indictment on Thursday against SALAM SALIEM KALASHO, 38, of El Cajon, Calif., and ANIL KUMAR MALHI, 41, of Moreno Valley, Calif., charging them with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. KALASHO and MALHI are accused of running a multimillion dollar scheme to defraud the State of California of tobacco excise tax.

December 23, 2008

FORMER FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEE SENTENCED TO 96 MONTHS PRISON FOR CULTIVATING AT LEAST 400 MARIJUANA PLANTS AND ILLEGALLY POSSESSING OVER 30 FIREARMS, INCLUDING MACHINEGUNS

Over 1000 Marijuana Plants and 30 Firearms – including Machineguns, Shotguns, and Handguns – Were Found in Search after Domestic Violence Related 911 Call

December 22, 2008

VALLEY SPRINGS MAN INDICTED FOR ILLEGAL FIREARMS POSSESSION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today against BRANDON RUSSELL STURGILL, 31, of Valley Springs, Calif., for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and for being a felon in possession of firearms.

December 19, 2008

SACRAMENTO WOMAN CONCEALS HER JOB TO STEAL MORE THAN $120,000 IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

SACRAMENTO, Calif—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that BRENDA MECHE ALEXANDER, 51, of Sacramento pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to stealing U.S. Social Security Administration funds.

December 18, 2008

FORMER PEREGRINE SYSTEMS, INC. CEO TO SERVE 97 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON SUMMARY

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Stephen Parker Gardner, former Chief Executive Officer of Peregrine Systems, Inc. (“Peregrine”), was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan to serve 97 months in custody, based on his conviction on charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, and obstruction of justice, arising out of his participation in a scheme to defraud Peregrine’s shareholders between 1999 and 2002. Judge Whelan cited Gardner’s cooperation with federal authorities following his guilty plea in March 2007 and his testimony during the trial of his co-defendants as reasons that supported the sentence.

December 17, 2008

FORMER HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT KB HOME AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE IN CONNECTION WITH INTERNAL INVESTIGATION OF BACKDATING OF STOCK OPTIONS

A former Vice-President and head of Human Resources at KB Home (“KB”) has agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy in 2006 to obstruct justice in connection with an internal investigation into stock option backdating at KB.

December 16, 2008

BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED FOR MAKING ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS

The owner of St. Ann Hospice in Glendale who was convicted last year of making “conduit contributions” to several federal election campaigns through employees and family members, has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison.

December 15, 2008

MORTGAGE LENDER PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT SCHEME

SAN FRANCISCO – Cheryl Hernandez Camus pleaded guilty yesterday to mail fraud and wire fraud in connection with a real estate investment scheme, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

December 12, 2008

BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED FOR MAKING ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS

The owner of St. Ann Hospice in Glendale who was convicted last year of making “conduit contributions” to several federal election campaigns through employees and family members, has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison.

December 11, 2008

NEW JERSEY MAN CHARGED IN TOMATO INDUSTRY PROBE WITH RACKETEERING, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A New Jersey processed-tomato products broker has been charged with participating in conspiracies involving racketeering, price fixing, bid rigging and contract allocation, and with money laundering in the processed-tomato products industry, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, McGregor W. Scott, and Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s Antitrust Division, Deborah A. Garza, announced today.

December 10, 2008

FORMER ORINDA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR TAX EVASION

Defendant ordered to pay $311,587 in back taxes

OAKLAND, Calif. – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Special Agent in Charge of United States Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Scott O’Briant, announced that Richard Wayne Cutshall was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $311,587 for income tax evasion. These charges are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation.

December 09, 2008

WILLIAM “BOOTS” DEL BIAGGIO, III, CHARGED WITH SECURITIES FRAUD

Silicon Valley businessman charged with defrauding lenders in connection with more than $100 million in loans

December 08, 2008

CALFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATOR ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Complaint Alleges Violation of Recently Amended Federal Child Pornography Statute
SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Jeffrey David Schinkel, of Novato, Calif., was arrested this morning for Possession of Child Pornography.

December 05, 2008

TRUCKEE CARSON IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND FOUR EMPLOYEES CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING THE U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that a federal grand jury in Reno, Nev. returned an indictment today charging the TRUCKEE CARSON IRRIGATION DISTRICT (TCID), a water district with offices in Fallon, Nev., and four employees of TCID, DAVID OVERVOLD, 58, LYMAN McCONNELL, 64, SHELBY CECIL, 65, and JOHN BAKER, 63, all of Fallon, Nev., with conspiracy to defraud the United States Bureau of Reclamation, falsification of records, false claims, and false statements.

December 04, 2008

FATHER AND SON MARIJUANA GROWERS IN NATIONAL FOREST SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton yesterday sentenced JOSE MAGANA to 10 years and his father JOSE MIRANDA to four years and nine months for the manufacturing of marijuana in the Six Rivers National Forest in July 2007.

December 03, 2008

Former Priest Pleads Guilty to Molesting Boy 20 Years Ago

SAN FERNANDO – A former Los Angeles Archdiocese priest pleaded guilty today to molesting a boy 20 years ago and admitted three prior victims whose cases cannot be charged because of statute of limitation problems, the District Attorney’s office announced.

December 02, 2008

Hermosa Beach Public Works Inspector Charged with Accepting Bribes

LOS ANGELES – A public works inspector with the City of Hermosa Beach has been charged with accepting bribes for allegedly speeding up approval of pending construction projects, the District Attorney’s office announced today.

December 01, 2008

OAKLAND IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO 54 MONTHS IN PRISON

OAKLAND, Calif. – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Letitia Ramona Mays was sentenced Friday to 54 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $357,214.17 in restitution for her participation in an identity theft scheme.

November 28, 2008

FORFEITURE SOUGHT OF $15 MILLION FOR TAX FRAUD

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor Scott announced today the filing of two civil complaints seeking the forfeiture of more than $15 million in tobacco products, over $76,000 seized from bank accounts controlled by Ideal Tobacco and Phoenix Cash & Carry, and over $23,000 seized from an account controlled by Pay-Less Wholesale Tobacco.

November 27, 2008

ATTORNEY TERRY CHRISTENSEN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON ON WIRETAPPING CHARGES

Prominent Entertainment Attorney Used Private Eye Anthony Pellicano to Illegally Wiretap Ex-Wife of Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian in Child-Support Case

November 26, 2008

Redding Man Sentenced To Over 19 Years For Methamphetamine Trafficking

SACRAMENTO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that JESUS VALENCIA ONTIVEROS, 24, of Redding, California was sentenced to 235 months in prison on convictions of conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. ONTIVEROS was one of seven defendants indicted in a case arising out of late night delivery of four pounds of methamphetamine to a Wal-Mart parking lot in Yuba City, California. ONTIVEROS entered a guilty plea earlier this year prior to the trial of some of his co-defendants, which lasted four weeks and concluded on June 10, 2008. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr..

November 25, 2008

MODESTO MARIJUANA COLLECTIVE OWNERS SENTENCED FOR CONDUCTING A CONTINUING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor Scott and DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña announced today that United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger sentenced LUKE ANTHONY SCARMAZZO, 28, of Modesto, Calif. to 21 years and 10 months and RICARDO RUIZ MONTES, 28, of Modesto, to 20 years for conducting a continuing criminal enterprise, manufacturing marijuana, and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.

November 24, 2008

LAGUNA BEACH MAN SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON, FINED $150,000 FOR TRAFFICKING IN COUNTERFEIT CISCO GOODS

A Laguna Beach man who owns Shoreline Networks has been sentenced to six months in federal prison and fined $150,000 for trafficking in counterfeit Cisco products.

November 21, 2008

Two Brothers Sentenced To Serve Life In Federal Prison For First Degree Murder

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today that both David Scaggs and Leonard Scaggs were sentenced in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge John A. Houston to life in prison.

November 20, 2008

I.R.S. REVENUE AGENT ARRESTED AFTER BEING INDICTED ON CHARGES OF TAX FRAUD AND OBSTRUCTING AN INVESTIGATION

A revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service has been arrested in connection with a scheme to defraud the government by claiming that he suffered a loss when he sold his real estate, when in fact he realized a substantial profit.

November 19, 2008

MODESTO MAN SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN GOLD AND POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

SACRAMENTO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MICHAEL PARREIRA REGO, 26, of Modesto, California was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William B. Shubb to five years in prison and four years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine and possession of gold nuggets that were stolen from the U.S. Mail. He pleaded guilty September 8, 2008.

November 18, 2008

TRANSIENT WHO STARTED ‘DAY FIRE’ THAT BURNED 162,000 ACRES SENTENCED TO NEARLY FOUR YEARS IN PRISON

A transient who started the 2006 Day Fire that burned more than 162,000 acres – most of which was in the Los Padres National Forest – and cost authorities more than $100 million in fire suppression costs was sentenced today to 45 months in federal prison.

November 17, 2008

FIFTH DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO EMPLOYING ILLEGAL ALIENS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that RUI TAO LIN, of New York, pleaded guilty today to unlawful employment of aliens and mail fraud before United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr.

November 14, 2008

TWO SACRAMENTO MEN RECEIVE LONG PRISON TERMS ON DRUG AND WEAPONS POSSESSION CHARGES

FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Investigation Brings Convictions

November 13, 2008

Attorney General Brown Sues Three Trucking Companies in Ongoing Worker Abuse Crackdown at Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports

LOS ANGELES—In an ongoing crackdown on worker abuses at California’s two busiest ports, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued three trucking companies operating at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles that deny their workers benefits and protections entitled to them under state workers’ compensation and disability laws.

November 12, 2008

Attorney General Brown Breaks Up Foreclosure Scam Ring

LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrests of three members of a fraud ring who preyed on desperate Southern California homeowners by falsely promising to renegotiate their home loans, but instead “ripped them off for thousands of dollars” while their homes fell into foreclosure.

November 11, 2008

LEMOORE MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Florida Investigation Led to Army Recruiter

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that RAMON SANTOS Jr., 42, of Lemoore, Calif., was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to 135 months in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography. The prison sentence will be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release with restricted access to minors, computers, and the Internet. SANTOS also will be required to register as a sex offender.

November 10, 2008

BAY AREA FRAUDSTERS SENTENCED FOR WELLS FARGO SCAM

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a fourth defendant in a bank fraud scheme, JASMINE NICOLE BUTTS, 23, of Daly City, Calif. was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 18 months in prison for her role in a fraudulent check-cashing scheme at Wells Fargo banks in Sacramento, the Bay Area, and in Reno and Las Vegas, Nev. BUTTS pleaded guilty on July 24, 2008.

November 07, 2008

MERCED AUDIOLOGIST GUILTY OF MAIL FRAUD AND HEALTH CARE FRAUD

Jury Returns Guilty Verdict on All Counts

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ADAM JOHN SORTINI, 87, of Merced, Calif. was convicted yesterday of 17 counts of mail fraud and one count of health care fraud stemming from his illegal billing of the federal Medicare program for audiology tests he contended were performed by him at skilled nursing facilities throughout Northern California. The guilty verdict was returned on all counts by a federal jury in Fresno after a 15-day trial before United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger.

November 06, 2008

FORMER IT MANAGER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR HACKING INTO PREVIOUS EMPLOYER’S COMPUTER SYSTEM AND CAUSING DAMAGE

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Steven John Barnes was sentenced on October 30, 2008 to 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by 3 months of home detention, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $54,005.76.

November 05, 2008

BANK ROBBER WHO POSED AS FEDERAL AGENT PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO ARMED ROBBERIES

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Christopher Reynolds pleaded guilty on Friday to two armed bank robberies committed in San Francisco and Buffalo, New York

November 04, 2008

PLEASANT HILL MAN ADMITS TO STEALING OVER $90,000 FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that THEODORE BELVIN, aka THEODORE WARE, 74, of Pleasant Hill, Calif., pleaded guilty this morning before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. to one count of filing a false claim for a refund with the Internal Revenue Service.

November 03, 2008

DOCTOR AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTING OXYCONTIN

A physician who maintained an office in Arcadia has agreed to plead guilty to the unlawful distribution of OxyContin. In a plea agreement filed this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles, the doctor admitted writing prescriptions for OxyContin for people she did not examine and who did not need the powerful painkiller.

October 31, 2008

FIVE DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH CRIMES RELATED TO MAJOR INTERNET-BASED COUNTERFEIT MOVIE DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a grand jury sitting in Fresno returned a multi-count indictment against STEVEN WALTER BUTTS, 61; KAREN JEAN FREYLING, 46; STEVEN ALAN LOBUE, 48; RAYMOND PAUL MOTT, 46; and EARL EDWARD (aka JOHN) RIEDEL, 46; all of Turlock, Calif. They are charged with using the Internet in a criminal conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and criminal infringement of a copyright. The indictment also charges some of the defendants with trademark violations, smuggling goods into the United States, theft of government money, and making false statements.

October 30, 2008

OWNER, OPERATOR, AND CHIEF ENGINEER OF OCEAN-GOING CARGO VESSEL SENTENCED FOR CRIMES RELATED TO THE INTENTIONAL DUMPING OF WASTE OIL INTO THE OCEAN

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Casilda Shipping, Ltd., the Maltese company that owned the Rio Gold (a 23,000 ton ocean-going cargo ship registered in Malta); Genesis Seatrading Corporation, the Greek operating company; and Mr. Pantelis Thomas, the vessel’s Chief Engineer and a citizen of Greece, all pleaded guilty and were sentenced last week for conspiring to falsify waste oil disposal records related to the intentional disposal of waste oil into the ocean while in international waters.

October 29, 2008

Two Former Border Patrol Agents Charged With Smuggling Aliens Are Arrested In Mexico

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today the unsealing of an 18-count indictment against two former United States Border Patrol (BP) agents, Raul Villarreal and Fidel Villarreal, as well as Claudia Gonzalez and Armando Garcia.

October 28, 2008

HEDGE FUND MANAGER SENTENCED TO 60 MONTHS

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen Hewitt announced that Paul Henrie Levy was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez in connection with Levy’s participation in a scheme to defraud investors in the Global Money Management (GMM) hedge fund out of approximately $49 million.

October 27, 2008

PASADENA DOCTOR WITH PRACTICE IN ORANGE COUNTY INDICTED IN $2.3 MILLION MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME

A doctor has been indicted for fraudulently billing Medicare for approximately $2.3 million in physical therapy services. The indictment, which was returned Wednesday afternoon by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, alleges that the “physical therapy” was performed by unlicensed individuals without any supervision by the doctor, consisted only of massages, and followed the payment of kickbacks to induce Medicare beneficiaries to go to the doctor’s clinic.

October 24, 2008

29 INDIVIDUALS INDICTED IN RACKETEERING PROBE TARGETING MS-13 GANG

Three-year investigation links suspects to murder, drug and firearms trafficking
SAN FRANCISCO – Twenty-two individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area were indicted on federal racketeering and other charges arising from their participation in the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced today. Seven additional individuals were also charged with non-racketeering offenses ranging from narcotics trafficking to firearms trafficking, and attempted exportation of stolen vehicles.

October 23, 2008

CARUTHERS RESIDENT SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR METH CONSPIRACY

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced RIGOBERTO LOPEZ-AGUILAR, aka Salvador Martinez, aka Adrian Palomino, 36, of Caruthers, Calif. to 14 years in prison for conspiring to distribute 5.5 pounds of high-purity crystal methamphetamine. LOPEZ-AGUILAR pleaded guilty on August 4, 2008.

October 22, 2008

ATF UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FEDERAL RACKETEERING INDICTMENT AND ARREST OF 61 MEMBERS OF SO. CAL.-BASED MONGOLS OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANG

LOS ANGELES – Sixty-one members of the violent Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang were arrested today after being named in an 86-count federal racketeering indictment that alleges the criminal enterprise was involved in a wide range of criminal activity, including murder, hate crimes against African-American, assaults, firearms violations and narcotics trafficking.

October 21, 2008

FORMER CEO OF GIANT GOLF COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO ORCHESTRATING $28 MILLION INVESTMENT FRAUD SCAM

SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man pleaded guilty today to six counts of mail fraud for his role in a $28.4 million investment fraud scheme that offered fraudulent securities in a non-existent internet company.

October 20, 2008

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE AT L.A. AIR FORCE BASE ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES OF SOLICITING BRIBES FROM CONTRACTOR

A Los Angeles man who worked at the Los Angeles Air Force base has been arrested on federal bribery charges for soliciting and receiving kickbacks from a contractor to whom he steered work.

October 17, 2008

SOUTH BAY WOMAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON

Defendant Stole more than $480,000 from employer Panalpina, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Zenaida L. Smith was sentenced on October 15, 2008 to 48 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling more than $480,000 from her former employer Panalpina, Inc.

October 16, 2008

JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION LEADS TO ARREST OF NINE MEMBERS OF VIOLENT SANTA BARBARA STREET GANG

A joint federal-state law enforcement operation this morning led to the arrest of nine members of a Santa Barbara gang who are named in a federal racketeering indictment that alleges the gang has engaged in murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, distribution of narcotics and robbery. This case represents the first racketeering case ever brought on the Central Coast.

October 15, 2008

ED JEW, FORMER MEMBER OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CONVICTED OF PUBLIC CORRUPTION CHARGES

City Supervisor Admits Accepting Cash Bribes from Beverage Stores in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that former City Supervisor Edmund Jew pleaded guilty today to federal public-corruption charges in connection with his scheme to solicit cash bribes from a chain of tapioca drink shops facing licensing issues with the San Francisco city government.

October 14, 2008

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES OF MINNESOTA COMPUTER EQUIPMENT COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO SCHEME TO DEFRAUD CISCO OF COMPUTER NETWORKING EQUIPMENT

Faris Fraudulently Conspired to Obtain over $400,000 in Equipment From Cisco under the SMARTnet Service Contract Program

October 13, 2008

Attorney General Brown Announces Takedown of Illegal Gambling Ring

LOS ANGELES –Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that California Department of Justice special agents, assisted by the FBI, brought down an illegal gambling ring on Wednesday which took bets on the winning numbers of the California Daily 3, paid out the cash and hoarded the profits.

October 10, 2008

SACRAMENTO BANK FRAUD DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO NEARLY FOUR YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Defendant recruited nephew and daughter-in-law to open sham bank accounts to deposit forged credit card checks stolen from mail

October 09, 2008

COMPUTER HACKER SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that GREGORY KING, 21, of Fairfield, Calif., was sentenced to two years in federal prison. KING was also ordered to pay over $69,000 in restitution. Online, KING was known as Silenz, Silenz420, sZ, GregK, and Gregk707. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of transmitting code to cause damage to a protected computer on June 10, 2008.

October 08, 2008

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN $50 MILLION REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE FRAUD SCAM

A former Los Angeles-based real estate developer who admitted playing a key role in a $50 million mortgage fraud scheme was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison for masterminding a scheme that defrauded banks by deceiving them into funding inflated mortgages.

October 07, 2008

LOS BANOS TRUCKING COMPANY OWNERS FACE EXPANDED TAX AND BRIBERY CHARGES

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging KULWANT LASHER, 51, TARLOCHAN LASHER, 53, and JASWINDER LASHER, 48, brothers and owners of Lasher Brothers Trucking Company Inc., based in Los Banos, Calif., with 19 tax violations in addition to the bribery charges already filed against them.

October 06, 2008

TWO EUROPEAN MEN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRING TO LAUNCH CYBERATTACKS AGAINST WEBSITES OF TWO U.S. COMPANIES

LOS ANGELES – A British man and a German man were indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to intentionally cause damage to the computers of two U.S.-based retail satellite companies by launching large-scale distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks that shut down the companies’ websites.

October 03, 2008

FORMER CIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KYLE “DUSTY” FOGGO PLEADS GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING THE UNITED STATES

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY -September 29, 2008 Alexandria, VA - Karen P. Hewitt, United States Attorney for the Southern District of California and Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced today that former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Executive Director Kyle “Dusty” Foggo pled guilty this morning to Count One of an indictment charging that he defrauded the United States and its citizens of their right to his honest services.

October 02, 2008

INLAND EMPIRE MAN SENTENCED TO 3½ YEARS FOR ROLE IN CONTRABAND CIGARETTE TRAFFICKING RING

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — An Inland Empire man has been sentenced to 42 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution to the State of California for his role in a ring that trafficked counterfeit cigarettes and cigarettes bearing counterfeit California tax stamps into the United States. According to court documents, the ring’s activities deprived the State of California of more than $3 million in tax revenues.

October 01, 2008

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES DISMANTLE DRUG-TRAFFICKING RING THAT SHIPPED NARCOTICS BETWEEN CANADA AND U.S.

Concluding a two-year investigation dubbed “Operation Candystore,” members of a federal task force this morning arrested seven defendants linked to a binational drug-trafficking organization that allegedly imported ecstasy and marijuana from Canada and sent cocaine to Canada from the United States.

September 30, 2008

FORMER EMPLOYEE OF UNION THAT REPRESENTS SOME DISNEYLAND WORKERS IS CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT

The former office manager of a union representing some 300 stage production members working at Disneyland and the Orange County Performing Arts Center has been charged with embezzling union funds.

September 29, 2008

WEST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING METHAMPHETAMINE

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Charles A. Phillips, Jr., was sentenced today to ten years in prison by the Honorable D. Lowell Jensen, United States District Judge, for distributing methamphetamine in exchange for $10,000. The sentence is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Richmond Police Department.

September 26, 2008

1990'S COCAINE TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON

Structured more than $750,000 in drug proceeds to avoid bank reporting requirements
SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Daniel King was sentenced on September 15, 2008 to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for structuring cash transactions for the purpose of evading financial institution reporting requirements.

September 25, 2008

$1.4 MILLION IN CASH CONFISCATED IN BAKERSFIELD DRUG BUST

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent-in-Charge Javier F. Peña, and Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood announced today the arrests and filing of federal charges against SOKHA BHOPAL, of Valencia, Calif., VATH LIM, of El Monte, Calif., THAI HOANG NGUYEN, of Suray, British Columbia,

September 24, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO POLITICAL ACTIVIST SENTENCED TO A YEAR AND A DAY

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton sentenced JULIE LEE, 62, of San Francisco to one year and a day in prison for two counts of mail fraud and three counts of attempted witness tampering. A jury convicted LEE on July 11, 2008.

September 23, 2008

EIGHT ASSOCIATED WITH RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY INDICTED FOR REHIRING WORKERS LOCKED OUT DURING LABOR DISPUTE

Defendants Allegedly Engaged in Covert Rehiring of Locked-out Workers as Means of Undermining 2003-2004 Strike Affecting Grocery Stores

September 22, 2008

GLENDALE, CALIF., COMPANY OWNER CONVICTED FOR ROLE IN SCHEME TO DEFRAUD FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK AND EXPORT-IMPORT BANK

Eighth Conviction in Prosecution of $80 Million Scheme to Defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States

September 19, 2008

Man Sentenced To Serve 240 Months in Federal Prison For Importation and Possession of Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Manuel Danny Guerrero was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez to serve 240 months in custody, based on Guerrero’s conviction for importation of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Judge Benitez also ordered that Guerrero pay a $2000.00 fine and a $200.00 special assessment. Guerrero was convicted after a jury trial in June 2008.

September 18, 2008

Woman Sentenced To Serve 63 Months in Federal Prison For Alien Smuggling

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Marisela Castro-Juarez was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego based upon her convictions on two counts of bringing undocumented aliens to the United States for financial gain, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii), and one count of engaging in financial transactions of over $10,000 with money derived from alien smuggling proceeds, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1957.

September 17, 2008

POST OFFICE WINDOW CLERK CONVICTED OF EMBEZZLEMENT AND THEFT OF OVER $38,000 IN CASH

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that STEPHEN DOUGLAS MARTIN, 56, of Sacramento, Calif., pleaded guilty this morning to theft and fraud before United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton.

September 16, 2008

OAKLAND MAN SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR MAKING “9-1-1” CALLS CONTAINING THREATS TO BOMB SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL AND THE WESTFIELD SHOPPING MALL IN SAN FRANCISCO

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Devon Craft was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for placing numerous 9-1-1 emergency calls threatening to blow-up San Francisco City Hall and the Westfield Shopping Mall in San Francisco.

September 15, 2008

FOUR FALLBROOK FAMILY MEMBERS CHARGED WITH ALIEN SMUGGLING

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Maria Del Carmen Alvarez, Indalecio Alvarez-Montoya, Juan Alvarez, and Patricia Marquez were arraigned today in federal court in San Diego before Magistrate Judge Louisa S. Porter on an indictment handed up by a federal grand jury on August 29, 2008 and unsealed today.

September 12, 2008

ORANGE COUNTY MAN INDICTED IN INVESTMENT SCHEME THAT BILKED OVER 150 INVESTORS OUT OF MORE THAN $20 MILLION

An Orange County resident was named today in a 16-count indictment that charges him with participating in a fraudulent investment scheme with an Orange County attorney that allegedly took in more than $20 million from approximately 150 investors.

September 11, 2008

FEDERAL-LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION TARGETS 25 MEMBERS OF ENTRENCHED SANTA MARIA STREET GANG

An FBI-led task force, working in conjunction with local police, has targeted a Santa Maria street gang, marking the first time that federal authorities have joined with local police and prosecutors to identify and prosecute people affiliated with a Central Coast street gang.

September 10, 2008

CLOVIS BUSINESSMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL TAX FRAUD CHARGES

FRESNO – United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MICHAEL RAY GORDEN, 40, of Clovis, California, pleaded guilty on September 8, 2008 to one felony count of conspiring to defraud the United States, and two felony counts of making and subscribing to false tax returns. GORDEN is the president and sole shareholder of Mike Gorden Software Solutions, Inc. (“MGSS”), a California corporation. The guilty plea was entered before Chief United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii.

September 09, 2008

TERRY CHRISTENSEN, ANTHONY PELLICANO CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CONSPIRACY AND WIRETAPPING CHARGES

Prominent Entertainment Attorney Used Private Eye to Illegally Wiretap Ex-Wife of Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian in Child Support Case

September 08, 2008

UNITED STATES SUES BOEING FOR INFLATING CONTRACT PRICE FOR B-1 BOMBER TOWED DECOY SYSTEM

The United States today filed a civil lawsuit against The Boeing Company, alleging that the company unlawfully inflated the price it charged the Air Force to manufacture the Towed Decoy System for the B-1 bomber.

September 05, 2008

CULVER CITY MAN ARRESTED ON FEDERAL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CHARGES FOR INTERNET POSTING OF SONGS FROM UNRELEASED GUNS N’ ROSES ALBUM

Special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation this morning arrested a Culver City man on charges that he violated federal copyright laws by posting nine songs from Guns N’ Roses’ unreleased album Chinese Democracy on his website.

September 04, 2008

ADULT FILM STAR SENTENCED TO OVER SIX YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR COCAINE POSSESSION, BEING FELON WITH GUN

A San Fernando Valley man well known in the adult film industry has been sentenced to 77 months in federal prison for his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine.

September 03, 2008

OAKLAND DRUG DEALER WHO CRASHED HIS VEHICLE ON THE BAY BRIDGE AT RUSH HOUR WHILE FLEEING FROM POLICE SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS PRISON

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Oakland drug dealer James Earl Kelley, also known as “Scooter,” was sentenced today by the Honorable D. Lowell Jensen, United States District Judge, to ten years in prison for selling crack cocaine. The conviction and sentence was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oakland Police Department.

September 02, 2008

STOCKTON FELON SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FIREARM POSSESSION

Darrell Carpenter Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison as an “Armed Career Criminal”

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that Darrell CARPENTER, 37, of Stockton, California, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Garland E. Burrell to 15 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm on June 13, 2008.

September 01, 2008

THREE DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS DISMANTLED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned four multiple-count indictments charging 28 people, including JORGE REYES, 29; ADAM REYES, 37; JUAN ALVAREZ, 30; DAVID NAVARRO, 37; MAJEID BAJMANLO, 28; STEVEN LOPEZ, 37; JUAN RIZO, 29; THOMAS GARCIA, 33; SARAH LANCASTER, 29; ASHLEY RYMER, 23; VICTOR CEJA, 22; KHAMSOU SIDA, 30; KEOUDONE PHAOUTHOUM, 36; KOUTKEO THI, 32; ZI LEI, 38; DE YANG, 24; and KOMALLA XAYADETH, 36, all of Sacramento, Calif., .........

August 29, 2008

DEVRY UNIVERSITY STUDENT CONVICTED FOR TRANSPORTATION AND POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Chad A. Holste, of Fremont and Redding, California, pleaded guilty yesterday to transportation and possession of child pornography.

August 28, 2008

Atty. General Brown Forces Settlement with Citibank: Investigation Reveals Bank Was Stealing From Its Customers

SAN FRANCISCO- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has reached a settlement with Citibank after a three-year investigation into the company’s use of an illegal “account sweeping” program. Nationally, the company took more than $14 million from its customers, including $1.6 million from California residents, through the use of a computer program that wrongfully swept positive account balances from credit-card customer accounts into Citibank’s general fund.

August 27, 2008

SACRAMENTO MAN DUBBED “STRAW HAT BANDIT” PLEADS GUILTY TO SERIAL BANK ROBBERIES

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MICHAEL EDWARD OSGOOD, 47, of Sacramento, Calif., pleaded guilty this morning to three counts of bank robbery before United States District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton.

August 26, 2008

HIGHWAY 101 BANDIT’ PLEADS GUILTY TO ROBBING TWENTY BANKS IN FIVE DIFFERENT FEDERAL DISTRICTS

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Arthur Eli Cheney pleaded guilty today to robbing twenty banks that were federally insured.

August 25, 2008

MODESTO MAN SENTENCED TO 6 ½ YEARS FOR RACE-MOTIVATED THREATS ON CB RADIO

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor Scott announced today that United States District Court Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill sentenced BRADLEY SMITH, 25,of Modesto, Calif., to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for a series of race-motivated threats against an African-American member of his community. A jury found SMITH guilty on May 19, 2008 of race-based interference with the victim’s federally protected housing rights and providing a false statement to an agent of the FBI.

August 22, 2008

TEXAS COED DUBBED THE “PONYTAIL BANDIT” PLEADS GUILTY TO BANK ROBBERY IN THREE STATES

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MORGAN MICHELLE HOKE, 21, of Austin, Texas pleaded guilty this morning to three counts of bank robbery before United States District Court Judge Morrison C. England Jr.

August 21, 2008

TIGER IMPORTER SENTENCED

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Nicki Phung was sentenced on Friday to 6 months home confinement and ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to a non-profit organization that protects great cats, including tigers throughout the world.

August 20, 2008

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY MAN SENTENCED TO 9 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SCAM THAT COST NORTH CAROLINA VICTIM $8.7 MILLION

A Burbank man was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison after being convicted earlier this year on charges related to a fraudulent investment scheme.

August 19, 2008

PRINTER IN LARGE-SCALE COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY RING ADMITS PRODUCING OVER $2.5 MILLION IN FAKE $100s AND $20s

A Lawndale man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges, admitting that he that used inkjet and laser printers to produce at least $2.5 million worth of counterfeit $100 and $20 federal reserve notes, some of which had been circulated across the United States.

August 18, 2008

UPLAND DOCTOR ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGE OF BRINGING MISBRANDED FOREIGN CANCER DRUGS INTO THE UNITED STATES

An Upland doctor who specialized in treating cancer patients was arrested this morning by federal authorities after being charged with introducing foreign misbranded drugs into interstate commerce – drugs that according to some of his employees were sometimes watered down when they were administered to his patients.

August 15, 2008

FEDERAL INMATES INDICTED FOR THE MURDER OF FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICER

FRESNO -- United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned a three count indictment charging JOSE CABRERA SABLAN, 43, of Guam, and JAMES NINETE LEON GUERRERO, 40, from Saipan, and now a resident of Guam, with first degree murder, first degree murder of a federal Correctional Officer and murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence.

August 14, 2008

MEXICO EXTRADITES ALLEGED DRUG TRAFFICKER TO FRESNO

FRESNO – United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier Peña, and U.S. Marshal Antonio C. Amador announced today that the Mexican government has extradited to the United States a Mexican national, DANIEL ANGULO, to face charges stemming from his role in a cocaine trafficking organization based in Merced County, California. The organization transported cocaine from Mexico to cities throughout the United States.

August 13, 2008

FORMER UNION BOOKKEEPER ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

The former bookkeeper of the International Longshoremen & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 was arrested today on federal charges of embezzling union funds.

August 12, 2008

DOWNEY MAN ARRESTED FOR BRIBING BANK MANAGER TO COVER UP BANK ACTIVITY RELATED TO PONZI SCHEME

A Mexican national who allegedly ran a bogus investment program that promised primarily Spanish-speaking victims a 100 percent return on their investments has been arrested on a federal charge of bribing a bank official who allegedly took payments in exchange for covering up activities related to the fraud scheme.

August 11, 2008

TWO INDICTED FOR STEALING OVER $21,000 IN ARMED BANK ROBBERY

Bank Teller Assisted Boyfriend in Planning and Executing Robbery

SAN JOSE – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that a federal grand jury in San Jose indicted Jose Cortez Zendejas and Jazmin Marie Rosel, of Hollister, California, on August 6, 2008, for Conspiracy to Commit Armed Bank Robbery, Armed Bank Robbery, and Aiding and Abetting Armed Bank Robbery. Mr. Zendejas and Ms. Rosel, it is alleged, stole over $21,000 after planning and executing an armed robbery on July 5, 2008, at the US Bank at 1320 South Main Street, in Salinas, California.

August 08, 2008

TWO MEN ARRESTED IN SCHEME THAT RECRUITED HOMELESS FROM ‘SKID ROW’ AND FRAUDULENTLY BILLED GOVERNMENT HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR UNNECESSARY SERVICES

Two Los Angeles men – the owner of a Los Angeles-area hospital and a man who acted as a recruiter – were arrested this morning on federal charges of defrauding Medicare and Medi-Cal by providing unnecessary health services to homeless people who were recruited from “Skid Row” with promises of payments.

August 07, 2008

THREE CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURTHOUSE BOMBING

San Diego - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in San Diego yesterday handed up a Superseding Indictment charging Rachelle Lynette Carlock, Ella Louise Sanders, and Eric Reginald Robinson with the use of a weapon of mass destruction and other charges, arising from the bombing of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse in San Diego on May 4, 2008, and a related bombing of a Federal Express distribution center on 47th Street in San Diego on April 25, 2008.

August 06, 2008

FATHER AND SON SENTENCED IN TAX SCHEME THEY TRIED TO COVER UP WHEN FATHER SHOT SON

Riverside, Calif. – A father who shot his son in an attempt to develop a “duress” defense after IRS investigators uncovered a tax fraud scheme that used personal information belonging to homeless people to file fraudulent tax returns has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison.

August 05, 2008

LOCAL DRUG SUPPLIER SENTENCED TO OVER 16 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Defendant Supplied Drug Dealers in Del Paso Heights, Oak Park, Meadowview and Dos Rios Public Housing Complex in Downtown Sacramento

August 04, 2008

Two Physicians Plead Guilty in International Internet Pharmacy Conspiracy

WASHINGTON – Two physicians have pleaded guilty to conspiracy for their participation in an Internet pharmacy business that generated more than $126 million in gross revenues from the illegal sale of prescription pharmaceuticals, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Karen P. Hewitt for the Southern District of California announced today.

August 01, 2008

RIVERSIDE MAN ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES OF FILING NEARLY 1,000 FRAUDULENT WORK VISA PETITIONS

Defendant Made Nearly $5 Million Charging Aliens for Fraudulent Filings

A Riverside man is scheduled to make his first court appearance this afternoon after federal authorities arrested him yesterday on charges of filing nearly a thousand fraudulent petitions with U.S. immigration and labor authorities, which allowed him to obtain work visas and other immigration and labor benefits for more than 550 aliens.

July 31, 2008

VALLEJO RAPPER “PSD” APPEARS IN FEDERAL COURT TODAY

Arrested at Sacramento International Airport After TSA Agents find 6,000 Ecstasy Pills Hidden in His Clothes

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that STEVEN NOEL DAVISON, 34, of Vallejo, California, was taken into custody by federal authorities for possession with intent to distribute “MDMA,” popularly known as the drug “ecstasy,” after Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested DAVISON at the Sacramento International Airport on July 14, 2008. He made his initial appearance in federal court before Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan today. DAVISON performs as a rap artist under the names “PSD,” “PSD tha Drivah,” and “Stevie Dee.”

July 30, 2008

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME OWNERS INDICTED IN $20 MILLION MORTGAGE LOAN FRAUD SCHEME

Defendants charged with 126 counts of Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, Tax Evasion, and Harboring Illegal Aliens

July 29, 2008

LAST TWO IN WELLS FARGO BANK FRAUD SCHEME PLEAD GUILTY

Five Check Scammers Steal $200,000

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that the last two defendants, JASMIN NICOLE BUTTS, 23, of San Francisco, Calif., and TIFFANY CHARANADA PIPPINS, 21, of Hayward, Calif., pleaded guilty this morning to bank fraud and attempted bank fraud before United States District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr.

July 28, 2008

PROMINENT LOS ANGELES ATTORNEY INDICTED FOR MAKING 'CONDUIT CONTRIBUTIONS' TO A FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Los Angeles litigator Pierce O'Donnell was indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of making $26,000 in "conduit" campaign contributions through employees of his law firm and others to a political committee supporting the election of a candidate for president of the United States.

July 25, 2008

TWO OPERATIONS INVOLVING ATF AND LAPD TARGET CRIPS AND BLOODS GANG MEMBERS WHO DISTRIBUTED NARCOTICS AND FIREARMS ACROSS SOUTH LOS ANGELES AND BALDWIN VILLAGE

Federal and local law enforcement authorities today announced two successful gang takedowns – one that targeted two factions of the Bloods in the Baldwin Village neighborhood and one that targeted members of various Crips factions for illegally selling scores of firearms across South Los Angeles -- that have resulted in the arrest of 38 gang members and associates over the past two days.

July 24, 2008

LARGEST SETTLEMENT EVER IN A FOREST FIRE CASE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY PAYS $102 MILLION TO SETTLE THE UNITED STATES’ CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THE 2000 STORRIE FOREST FIRE

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Associate Attorney General Kevin O’Connor, United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, and United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that Union Pacific Railroad Company (“UP”) will pay the United States $102 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by the government to recover damages arising from the 2000 Storrie forest fire in the Plumas and Lassen National Forests in Northern California. The settlement is the largest recovery in United States Forest Service history in a forest fire case.

July 23, 2008

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES DISMANTLE LUCRATIVE INLAND EMPIRE-BASED INDOOR MARIJUANA GROW OPERATION

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum and United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien announced that four individuals were arrested today and 5,600 marijuana plants were seized from five homes in San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties as part of an investigation into clandestine indoor marijuana grow operations. Today’s arrests and seizures are the result of a year-long investigation that has led to the discovery and dismantling of 33 clandestine indoor marijuana grow operations and the seizure of more than 19,000 marijuana plants.

July 22, 2008

SECOND MAN INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC TERRORISM PLOT TARGETING MILITARY, JEWISH FACILITIES SENTENCED TO PRISON

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man recruited to join a domestic terrorist cell that was plotting to attack United States military facilities, “infidels,” and Israeli and Jewish targets in the Los Angeles area as part of a “jihad” was sentenced today to more than 12½ years in federal prison.

July 21, 2008

LOS ANGELES MAN WHO MADE ‘DONATIONS’ TO JEWISH GROUP AND TOOK BOGUS TAX DEDUCTIONS AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY

A Los Angeles man who made “donations” to several charitable organizations associated with a New York-based orthodox Jewish group – “donations” that were largely refunded – has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax evasion charges.

July 18, 2008

Atty. Gen. Brown Discloses New Evidence Of Countrywide's Deceptive Practices

Ca. Atty. Gen. Brown Discloses New Evidence Of Countrywide's Deceptive Practices

LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today disclosed “shocking new details” about Countrywide Financial’s deceptive business practices which included ignoring their own underwriting guidelines and rewarding employees for selling risky home loans.

July 17, 2008

TEN IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING

Conspiracy Involves 11 Members of Asian Gang, Hop Sing

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Drew Parenti, and local law enforcement officials from Sacramento and Elk Grove announced today the culmination of an extensive drug trafficking investigation dubbed, “Operation Smoking Dragon.”

July 16, 2008

FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTS STANISLAUS COUNTY BUSINESS OWNER AND ASSOCIATES ON RACKETEERING CHARGES

Stanislaus County Law Enforcement Officer, Two Others Indicted as Part of Federal Probe

July 15, 2008

TWO MEN CONVICTED IN $32 MILLION SCAM THAT BILKED MORE THAN 500 IN COAL MINES, GOLD TRANSACTION

Two men were convicted by a federal court jury this afternoon, after a three week trial, on charges of defrauding more than five hundred investors out of more than $32 million through a bogus investment scheme. Robert Jennings, 58, a pastor, who represented that he was the President of Tri Energy, a coal mining company, and Henry Jones, 53, a record company executive, formerly of Marina Del Rey, were convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud and securities fraud charges. In addition, Jones was convicted of money laundering charges and contempt of court for his violation of a federal court order in a related case filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. A third defendant, Arthur Simburg, 63, of Portland Oregon, previously pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

July 14, 2008

FORMER HEWLETT PACKARD VICE PRESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT OF IBM TRADE SECRETS

SAN JOSE - U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich of the Department of Justice Criminal Division announced this morning that Atul Malhotra, a former vice president of imaging and printing services at the Hewlett Packard Company (HP), pleaded guilty today to stealing trade secrets.

July 11, 2008

NINE DEFENDANTS CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging JOY JOHNSON, 33, of Vacaville, Calif., CORY WHALEN, 33, of Solano County, ELIZABETH CARRION, 38, of Vacaville, LENIN GALEANO, 32, of Vacaville, CARMEN GALEANO, 30, of Vacaville, ANGELITO EVANGELISTA, 39, of San Francisco, CLARISA ANG, age 43, of Elk Grove, Calif., CRIS ANG, 46, of Elk Grove, and LYDIA ANG, 71, of American Canyon, Calif., in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme involving the purchase of 13 real estate properties in Solano County in 2006.

July 10, 2008

Man Sentenced For Threatening A Federal Witness

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Kent Douglas Trego was sentenced today for having threatened a volunteer of the Animal Protection and Rescue League (“APRL”). Trego pled guilty on April 17, 2008 to Count One of the Indictment, which charged him with threatening to retaliate against a federal witness, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1513(b)(2).

July 09, 2008

DOCTOR INVOLVED IN ‘RENT-A-PATIENT’ SCAM SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

A physician who was found guilty of participating in a health care fraud scheme that led to more than $9 million in fraudulent bills being submitted for unnecessary “sweaty palm” surgeries was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.

July 08, 2008

Former Los Angeles Police Officer, Former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy, and Two Co-conspirators Sentenced for Civil Rights Violations

WASHINGTON – Former Los Angeles Police Department Officer Jesse Moya, former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy and California Corrections Officer Rodrigo Duran, and two co-conspirators, Steve Quintero and Geronimo Sevilla, were sentenced today in federal court in Los Angeles for their roles in a series of home-invasion robberies over a two-year period, the Justice Department announced today. Moya was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of post-incarceration supervised release, and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000. Duran was sentenced to 66 months in prison, and five years of post-incarceration supervised release. Sevilla received a sentence of 87 months along with three years of supervised release and a $ 1,500 fine. Quintero received a sentence of 57 months along with three years of supervised release and a $ 5,000 fine.

July 07, 2008

POST OFFICE WINDOW CLERK CHARGED WITH STEALING OVER $38,000 IN CASH

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that STEPHEN DOUGLAS MARTIN, 56, of Sacramento, California made an initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on charges that he committed 110 felony theft and fraud offenses.

July 04, 2008

FRENCH COUPLE CHARGED IN FRAUD CASE FOR SELLING BOGUS ‘GREEN CARDS’ TO VICTIMS IN FRANCE

LOS ANGELES – A French woman living in the San Fernando Valley was arrested this morning after she and her husband were charged yesterday with defrauding French residents out of thousands of dollars with false promises of work and United States “green cards.”

July 03, 2008

MORTGAGE FRAUD: FIVE INDICTED, TWO ARRESTED FROM SACRAMENTO AREA CONSPIRACY; DAVIS MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN ANOTHER SCHEME

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that late yesterday afternoon a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment charging ROBERT MARTINSON, 45, of Newcastle, California; his wife, SHERYL HAYDEN, 41, also of Newscastle; KATHLEEN DELAPP, 44, of Auburn, California; MELISSA VILLEGAS, 34, of Sacramento; and her husband RICK VILLEGAS, 31, of Sacramento, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and other related charges in a mortgage fraud scheme.

July 02, 2008

Brown Sues Countrywide For Mortgage Deception

LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued Countrywide Financial, its chief executive Angelo Mozilo, and president David Sambol, for engaging in deceptive advertising and unfair competition by pushing homeowners into mass-produced, risky loans for the sole purpose of reselling the mortgages on the secondary market.

July 01, 2008

ISRAELI BANKER PLEADS GUILTY IN SOPHISTICATED TAX FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING SCHEME LINKED TO SPINKA SECT

Another Defendant, a New York Rabbi, Agrees to Plead Guilty in Scheme

June 30, 2008

WYOMING MAN CHARGED WITH INFECTING THOUSANDS OF COMPUTERS WITH ‘TROJAN’ THAT HE USED TO COMMIT FRAUD

In the first case of its kind in the nation, a Wyoming man has been charged with using modified peer-to-peer software to infect computers and create “botnets” – armies of compromised computers numbering from 5,000 to 15,000 machines – that he exploited to obtain credit card and banking information.

June 27, 2008

INSURANCE CARRIER ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO COOPERATE WITH GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION AND PAY $5,550,000 IN FINES AND PENALTIES FOR ITS ROLE IN AN INSURANCE FRAUD CASE

San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today that the UNUM Group would pay $5,550,000 in fines and penalties to the federal government based upon its role in failing to report special fees it was paying to a San Diego-based insurance broker as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, commonly known as “ERISA.”

June 26, 2008

FEDERAL RACKETEERING INDICTMENT TARGETS MEMBERS OF VIOLENT DREW STREET GANG IN NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES

RICO Case Alleges Murders, Attempted Murders of Police, Extortion, Witness Tampering and Extensive Narcotics-Trafficking Activity

June 25, 2008

FRESNO FINANCIAL PLANNER PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO SELL FRAUDULENT SECURITIES

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that STEPHEN EARL PROUT, 58, of Fresno, California, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger to conspiring to sell fraudulent securities.

June 24, 2008

MAN INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC TERRORISM PLOT TARGETING MILITARY AND JEWISH FACILITIES SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former inmate in a California state prison who became part of a domestic terrorist cell that planned to attack United States military operations, “infidels,” and Israeli and Jewish facilities in the Los Angeles area was sentenced this morning to 22 years in federal prison.

June 23, 2008

FORMER NUCLEAR ENGINEER SENTENCED TO MORE THAN FOUR YEARS FOR THREATS AND ANTHRAX HOAXES

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MICHAEL LEE BRAUN, 53, of Elk Grove, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Edward J. Garcia to 51 months in prison, ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, $43,715.39 mandatory reimbursement to state and local entities for HAZMAT decontamination and response costs, and a $400 special assessment. Defendant was also sentenced to 36 months of supervised release following incarceration. The judge remanded BRAUN into custody immediately following sentencing.

June 20, 2008

MORE THAN 400 DEFENDANTS CHARGED FOR ROLES IN MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEMES AS PART OF OPERATION “MALICIOUS MORTGAGE”

Two Senior Managers of Failed Bear Stearns Hedge Funds Indicted Today in Separate Mortgage-Related Securities Fraud Case

June 19, 2008

CHINESE NATIONAL SENTENCED FOR COMMITING ECONOMIC ESPIONAGE TO BENEFIT CHINA NAVY RESEARCH CENTER

First Sentencing under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 and First Conviction Involving Military Source Code under the Arms Export Control Act

June 18, 2008

State Charges Inland Empire Fundraisers With Felony Campaign Money Laundering

RIVERSIDE--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Riverside District Attorney Rod Pacheco today announced a 37-count indictment against Mark Anthony Leggio, James Lloyd Deremiah, and father-son team Nicola Cacucciolo, and Nick Vito Cacucciolo, for exceeding $3,300 Senate and Assembly campaign contribution limits by laundering money through various friends and associates.

June 17, 2008

MORTGAGE BROKER PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL KICKBACK AND TAX
VIOLATIONS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that WILLIAM T. BRIDGE, 41, of San Francisco, California entered a guilty plea before United States District Court Judge William B. Shubb in connection with a widespread mortgage fraud scheme centered in the Stockton,

June 16, 2008

WASHINGTON STATE MAN CONVICTED OF ASSAULT ON A BANK TELLER AND SERIAL BANK ROBBERY

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that today MIGUEL KERCHERVAL, 44, pleaded guilty, without benefit of a plea agreement, to robbing and attempting to rob four different banks in the cities of Sacramento and Tulare.

June 13, 2008

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MAN SURRENDERS IN FEDERAL FRAUD CASE ALLEGING $6 MILLION IN LOSSES TO VICTIMS ACROSS U.S.

A Santa Ynez man surrendered to federal authorities this morning after being indicted on federal fraud charges related to a boiler room operation that offered bogus bartending and “mystery shopper” schools that promised jobs to people around the country who paid for courses and referrals to potential jobs.

June 12, 2008

Federal Jury Convicts California Producer and His Adult Entertainment Company of Obscenity Crimes

WASHINGTON - A federal jury in Tampa, Fla., convicted Paul F. Little and his adult entertainment company, MaxWorld Entertainment Inc. (MaxWorld), of obscenity crimes, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Matthew Friedrich and Chief Postal Inspector Alexander Lazaroff announced today.

June 11, 2008

COMPUTER HACKER PLEADS GUILTY AND AGREES TO TWO YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that GREGORY KING, 21, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton to two counts of transmitting code to cause damage to a protected computer. As part of the plea agreement KING agreed to a two-year prison sentence.

June 10, 2008

PRESIDENT OF ALLIED TELECOM INTERNATIONAL CONVICTED OF TAX EVASION

Diverted more than $1.9 million into a Foreign Bank Account

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello and Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Scott O’Briant announced Diana Hojsak a/k/a Diana Lu a/k/a Jing Jing Lu was convicted of tax evasion and filing false tax returns for 2000 and 2001 by a federal jury.

June 09, 2008

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WOMAN ARRESTED ON FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES FOR DEFRAUDING MEDICARE OUT OF $12 MILLION

This morning, special agents with the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation arrested the operator of Wescove Home Health Services at her home in Covina on health care fraud and money laundering charges stemming from her participation in a scheme that defrauded Medicare out of more than $12 million.

June 06, 2008

FORMER BROADCOM CEO HENRY NICHOLAS AND FORMER CFO INDICTED IN MASSIVE STOCK-OPTIONS BACKDATING CASE

Nicholas also Named in Narcotics Indictment that Accuses Him of Putting the Drug Ecstasy into Drinks of Industry Executives

June 05, 2008

Two Charged With Federal Narcotics and Firearms Violations

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Magdaleno Carreno, Jr., and Valentin Escobar-Chavez were arraigned today in federal court in San Diego before Magistrate Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo on an eight-count indictment charging them with narcotics and firearms violations.

June 04, 2008

Brown Announces 24 Year Sentence In $7 Million San Diego Mortgage Scam

SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that Theodore Swain, 60, was sentenced this morning to 24 years in state prison for running a $7 million Ponzi scheme that ripped off 100 investors in Southern California.

June 03, 2008

MELVYN WEISS, CO-FOUNDER OF MILBERG WEISS LAW FIRM, SENTENCED TO 2½ YEARS IN PRISON FOR RACKETEERING

Attorney Orchestrated Firm’s Secret Kickback Scheme in Class Actions

LOS ANGELES – Melvyn I. Weiss, a founding partner of the New York law firm now known as Milberg LLP, was sentenced this morning to 30 months in federal prison after admitting that he and others concealed secret payment arrangements that the firm had with named plaintiffs in class-action lawsuits.

June 02, 2008

FIVE PAGE STREET MOB MEMBERS SENTENCED TO LENGTHY PRISON TERMS FOR RICO AND NARCOTICS RELATED OFFENSES

Defendant Aquil Peterson, Who Aided and Abetted First Degree Murder, Sentenced to Twenty-Two Years in Federal Prison

May 30, 2008

TWO MEN CHARGED WITH MAKING BOMB THREATS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that a grand jury returned separate indictments today charging APUN MAHAPATRA, 31, of Sacramento, and CAROLS RAMOS, 22, of Dixon, with making bomb threats to, respectively, Delta Airlines and the U.S. Embassy in Italy.

May 29, 2008

THREE INDICTED IN RELATION TO SIX LOS ANGELES-AREA MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES, INCLUDING ONE THAT SOLD DRUG TO MAN WHO CRASHED INTO C.H.P. OFFICER WHILE INTOXICATED

The owner-operator of six Los Angeles-area “medical marijuana” dispensaries and his wife were arrested this morning on a host of federal charges, including operating dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools and churches. Authorities are seeking a third defendant, an employee who allegedly sold a pound of pot out the back door of one of the dispensaries

May 28, 2008

Four Men Charged in Identity Theft Ring

LOS ANGELES – An identity theft ring that targeted Wells Fargo Bank and an east coast convenience store chain has been uncovered by High Tech Crime investigators of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and detectives of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division.

May 27, 2008

RANCHO CORDOVA BUSINESSMAN TO SPEND ONE YEAR IN PRISON FOR TRANSMITTING MONEY WITHOUT A LICENSE

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ARSEN ABRAMYAN, age 40, of Sacramento, Calif., was sentenced to a year in prison by Judge Lawrence K. Karlton for the criminal offense of conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business in violation of federal law requiring the registration of such businesses.

May 26, 2008

Brown Announces Arrest of Foreclosure Rescue Scam Artists

SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Brown today shut down a team of scam artists that acquired deeds to hundreds of homes in foreclosure by convincing desperate consumers to place their property in a “land grant,” a phony and worthless real estate document.

May 23, 2008

$58 Million Merck Settlement To Change Deceptive TV Drug Advertisements

SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a “groundbreaking settlement” with Merck & Co. which requires the pharmaceutical manufacturer to obtain Federal Drug Administration approval before running any television drug advertisements for new pain medications.

May 22, 2008

MODESTO MAN CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CRIME FOR RACE-MOTIVATED THREATS

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that on Monday a federal jury found BRADLEY SMITH, of Modesto, Calif., guilty of a felony civil rights offense for a series of race-motivated threats against an African-American member of his community. SMITH was convicted of race-based interference with the victim’s federally protected housing rights and of a second felony offense for providing a false statement to an agent of the FBI.

May 21, 2008

TELEMARKETER WHO PITCHED BOGUS INVESTMENTS TO ELDERLY VICTIMS SENTENCED TO 12½ YEARS IN PRISON

A Beverly Hills man who ran a company called Investment Strategies has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for operating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded his primarily elderly victims.

May 20, 2008

33 INDIVIDUALS IN U.S. AND ROMANIA INDICTED IN FEDERAL RICO CASE THAT ALLEGES WIDESPREAD COMPUTER FRAUD

International Law Enforcement Cooperation Leads to Disruption of Organized Crime Ring that Utilized Phishing and Other Methods to Obtain Personal Data

May 19, 2008

SEC AND U.S. ATTORNEY CHARGE PROMOTERS OF MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR REAL ESTATE SCHEME TARGETING AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Los Angeles, California, May 14, 2008 – The United States Attorney’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission today filed criminal and civil fraud charges against the promoters of an $18 million real estate investment scheme targeting the African-American community in the Los Angeles area and other locations in Nevada and Georgia.

May 16, 2008

ANTHONY PELLICANO, TWO OTHERS CONVICTED OF FEDERAL RACKETEERING CHARGES

Former Private Eye Engaged in Widespread Wiretapping Activities and Trafficking in Data Illegally Taken from Law Enforcement Databases

May 15, 2008

California Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison in Connection with $10 Million Scheme to Defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States

WASHINGTON – Edward Chua, 55, of Montebello, Calif., has been sentenced to 37 months in prison in connection with a $10 million scheme to defraud the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) of the United States, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor of the District of Columbia announced today.

May 14, 2008

LOCKHEED MARTIN UNIT AGREES TO PAY $10.5 MILLION TO RESOLVE CIVIL ALLEGATIONS OF SUBMITTING FALSE INVOICES

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (Lockheed), a Denver-based business unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, has agreed to pay the United States $10.5 million to settle allegations that it submitted invoices for payment it was not entitled to receive on a multi-billion dollar contract connected to the Titan IV space launch vehicle program, United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien announced today.

May 13, 2008

TWO PLEAD GUILTY TO COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY SCHEME

Couple Use Job at Post Office to Pass Fake 20-Dollar Bills

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ANDREA LYNN GRAVELLE, 38, and RICK LEE SNOW, 46, pleaded guilty this morning before United States District Court Judge Edward J. Garcia to felony conspiracy and counterfeit currency charges.

May 12, 2008

FEDERAL EMPLOYEE FAKES ILLNESS, STEALS COWORKERS’ VACATION TIME, RECEIVES ONE YEAR IN PRISON

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that United States District Court Judge Edward J. Garcia sentenced ROBERT JOSEPH THOM, 46, of Oceanside, Calif., this morning to one year in prison for 10 counts of wire fraud.

May 09, 2008

FORMER TALK RADIO HOST PLEADS GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

WASHINGTON – Bernard V. Ward, 57, a San Francisco resident who previously worked as a radio station talk show host, entered a guilty plea today in federal court in San Francisco to one count of distributing child pornography via the Internet, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.

May 08, 2008

BISHOP BANKER ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLING MORE THAN $750,000 FROM WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that JO ANN BARBA, 42, of Bishop, Calif., has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bank embezzlement on March 27, 2008. She was arrested on the charges May 5, 2008.

May 07, 2008

State Agents Bust Doctor For Homicide Following Pharmaceutical Investigation

NOTE TO EDITORS: Dr. Wesley Albert was booked this morning on second degree murder for violating Penal Code Section 187(a). Our earlier report of a PC 192(a) involuntary manslaughter charge was incorrect.

May 06, 2008

ORANGE COUNTY MAN ARRESTED IN $25 MILLION PONZI THAT TARGETED CHRISTIAN INVESTORS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Mission Viejo man was arrested this morning on a federal wire fraud charge that alleges he orchestrated a Ponzi scheme that solicited more than $25 million from victims around the nation and that he used $1 million of victim funds to invest in a golf course.

May 05, 2008

DOCTOR INDICTED ON FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES FOR WRITING OXYCONTIN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CASH

A physician who operated a clinic in San Fernando has been indicted on federal narcotics charges for allegedly writing prescriptions for the powerful and addictive painkiller oxycodone for people he did not examine and who simply paid him as much as $300 for the prescriptions.

May 02, 2008

FORMER FEDERAL PENITENTIARY CORRECTIONS LIEUTENANT INDICTED FOR CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor Scott announced today that a federal grand jury indicted ERIC McEACHERN, 33, of Tehachapi with violating the civil rights of an inmate who was in custody and obstructing justice in the resulting investigation. McEACHERN was a corrections lieutenant who worked at the United States Penitentiary in Atwater, California at the time of the alleged offense. The indictment specifically charges McEACHERN with one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one felony count of falsifying records in a federal investigation.

May 01, 2008

COLOMBIAN MONEY LAUNDERER EXTRADITED FROM TRINIDAD

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Jorge Hernan Ospina-Zuluaga, charged as Hernan Ospina, appeared before Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes in San Diego today and was arraigned on an indictment handed up on March 23, 1995, charging Ospina with conspiracy to launder drug trafficking proceeds and money laundering.

April 30, 2008

Pilot of Cosco Busan Indicted on New Charges - Pilot Charged with Lying about Medications During Required Annual Physicals

WASHINGTON— Today, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging John Joseph Cota, a U.S. Coast Guard and California licensed ship pilot, with making false statements to the Coast Guard concerning his medications and medical conditions in 2006 and 2007. The false statements arose from annual physical examinations that pilots are required to complete every year to maintain their pilot’s license.

April 29, 2008

MODESTO MAN GETS 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR PSEUDOEPHEDRINE,
MAINTAINING A DRUG HOUSE, FIREARMS, AND USING CHILDREN IN A DRUG ENTERPRISE

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that HUGO RAMIREZ, 42, of Modesto was sentenced today by United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell to 20 years in prison. On September 4, 2007, the defendant pleaded guilty before Judge Damrell to maintaining drug-involved premises and possession of pseudoephedrine.

April 28, 2008

FOREX TRADING “GURU” SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SCAMMING OVER $11 MILLION FROM INVESTORS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that JOEL NATHAN WARD, 49, of Turlock, California, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Garland E. Burrell, Jr. to nine years in prison for masterminding a Ponzi scheme in which nearly 100 investors lost over $11 million. WARD was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,275,501.53 and to serve three years of supervised release after the completion of his prison sentence. He was remanded into custody immediately following the sentencing hearing.

April 25, 2008

SOLANO COUNTY HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEE IN VALLEJO INDICTED FOR STEALING IDENTITIES OF BENEFITS RECIPIENTS, COMMITTING BANK FRAUD

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott and United States Postal Inspector in Charge Diana Torpey announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging JENNIFER MILLER, 43, of Vallejo, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Also charged in the fourteen-count indictment were MILLER’s sister, JACQUELINE CRAFT, 51, MILLER’s niece KHALILAH LATOYA FULLER, 31, and MAISHA PEARL JONES, 33, all of Vallejo.

April 24, 2008

Federal judge sentences China television exec to 10 years in espionage case

US District Judge Cormac J. Carney of the Central District of California on Monday sentenced former Chinese television executive Tai Wang Mak to 10 years in prison for conspiring with his brother, Chi Mak, to smuggle sensitive naval intelligence data to China.

April 23, 2008

California Man Convicted on Federal Tax Fraud Charges for Fraudulent Tax Preparation Scheme - Four Individuals Prepared Thousands of False Returns

WASHINGTON - Matthew Carl Berry was convicted on federal tax fraud charges yesterday following a jury trial in Riverside, Calif., the Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Berry, of Rialto, Calif., was indicted on September 13, 2006, for one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and three counts of filing false income tax returns for his personal taxes during the years of the conspiracy.

April 22, 2008

FOUNDERS OF GLOBAL MISSIONS UN LIMITED CHARGED WITH FRAUD

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that a federal grand jury in Oakland indicted Joseph Lawrence Williams, of Hayward, Keith Aaron Vann, of Oakland, and William Joseph Little, Jr., for conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. These charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

April 21, 2008

ORINDA MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD SEX TOURISM AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY VIOLATIONS

Mortgage Finance Expert Now Considered a Fugitive

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that a criminal complaint was issued charging Leonard B. Auerbach, 61, of Orinda, California, with traveling internationally for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with a minor (also known as “child sex tourism”), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b), and transporting and possessing child pornography,

April 18, 2008

PRESIDENT OF CAMBODIAN OPPOSITION GROUP CONVICTED OF PLOTTING TO OVERTHROW CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT

The president of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters – a Long Beach, California-based organization that was formed to seize political control in the southeast Asian country – was found guilty today of conspiring to kill in a foreign country.

April 17, 2008

INFORMATION SECURITY CONSULTANT PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL WIRETAPPING AND IDENTITY THEFT CHARGES

In the first prosecution of its kind in the nation, a man who is well known to members of the “botnet underground” pleaded guilty today to federal charges related to his use of “botnets” – armies of compromised computers – to steal the identities of victims throughout the country by extracting information from their personal computers and wiretapping their communications.

April 16, 2008

U.S. JOINS ‘WHISTLEBLOWER’ CASE AGAINST BEVERLY HILLS-BASED RADIOLOGY CLINIC THAT ALLEGES FALSE CLAIMS TO MEDICARE AND FRAUDULENT REFERRALS

The United States today filed a complaint in intervention in a “whistleblower” lawsuit that accuses a Beverly Hills-based diagnostic clinic of defrauding the federal Medicare program by performing unnecessary radiological tests, such as CT scans and MRIs.

April 15, 2008

Construction Company And District Official Indicted For Diverting $3.6 Million From Schools

SANTA BARBARA--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a 74-count felony indictment against a former Santa Maria-Bonita School District official and three executives from TurnKey, a Temecula-based company, for misappropriating $3.6 million in public money for schools.

April 14, 2008

FORMER BENICIA SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT GOING TO PRISON FOR TAX
EVASION

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that DIRK FULTON, 53, of Benicia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Edward J. Garcia to five months imprisonment, five months of home detention, two years of supervised release, $115,000 in restitution to the IRS, and a $28,000 fine. The defendant pleaded guilty to tax evasion on February 1, 2008.

April 11, 2008

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DOCTOR AND TWO OTHERS CHARGED WITH ANABOLIC STEROID AND HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE DISTRIBUTION

Indictment Alleges Importation of Human Growth Hormone from China for Distribution in the United States

April 10, 2008

OPERATOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS CHARGED IN MASSIVE STUDENT VISA FRAUD SCHEME

Some “Students” Were Russian Prostitutes Who Allegedly Paid Cash for Visas

A Beverly Hills man who operates two schools that teach English to foreign students was arrested this morning on federal charges for allegedly running a visa fraud scheme that allowed foreign nationals from around the world to obtain student visas to enter the United States, even though they had no intention of attending the schools or were fraudulently trying to remain in the United States.

April 09, 2008

Federal Grand Jury Charges Two Companies and Owner John Stagliano with Obscenity Violations

WASHINGTON – A producer of allegedly obscene movies and two companies owned by him have been charged by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., with operating an obscenity distribution business and related offenses, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.

April 08, 2008

TWO CHINESE RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO BRING EXPORT-CONTROLLED THERMAL-IMAGING CAMERAS TO P.R.C.

Two men – one a Chinese national and one a naturalized United States citizen – who were arrested early Saturday morning at Los Angeles International Airport were charged today with attempting to bring 10 thermal-imaging cameras to the People’s Republic of China without obtaining the necessary licenses.

April 07, 2008

FIVE MEMBERS OF PROMINENT AGRIBUSINESS FAMILY TO PLEAD GUILTY TO FELONY TAX OFFENSES

Plea Agreements Contemplate Prison Time, Fines, and Restitution

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that five members of the SAMBADO family of San Joaquin County, which owns and operates one of the largest fruit packing and exporting facilities in California, will plead guilty to federal felony offenses relating to the skimming of income from their businesses.

April 04, 2008

FORMER U.S. POST OFFICE COUNTER CLERK CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO
NEGOTIATE COUNTERFEIT U.S. CURRENCY

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ANDREA LYNN GRAVELLE, 37, of Waterford and RICK LEE SNOW, 45, of Modesto were arraigned yesterday by United States Magistrate Judge Dale A. Drozd for felony conspiracy and counterfeit currency charges.

April 03, 2008

Leader of Casino-Cheating Criminal Enterprise Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Targeting at Least 16 Casinos

WASHINGTON – Phuong Quoc Truong, also known as John Truong and “Pai Gow” John, pleaded guilty today in San Diego to conspiring to participate in the conduct of the affairs of a racketeering enterprise, the “Tran Organization,” in a scheme to cheat at least 16 casinos across the country out of millions of dollars, Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Karen P. Hewitt, and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Jeffrey C. Sullivan announced today.

April 02, 2008

SACRAMENTO MAN CONVICTED OF MAIL FRAUD SCHEME TO STEAL HURRICANE KATRINA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that JOHN M. FORD, 35, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton to using the U.S. Mail to obtain Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance by fraud.

April 01, 2008

RESERVE NAVAL LIEUTENANT COMMANDER AND CHAPLAIN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF STEALING PAY AND ALLOWANCES

A Reserve Naval lieutenant commander and chaplain with the United States Navy has been indicted on nine counts of theft of government funds for allegedly receiving approximately $172,229 in unearned pay and allowances from the Navy.

March 31, 2008

Fresno Man Barred from Promoting Tax Scheme - Falsely Told Customers He Could Provide a Defense to Criminal Tax Charges

WASHINGTON – A California-based tax scam promoter, Steven Hempfling, has been permanently barred by a federal court in Fresno, Calif., from selling a tax fraud scheme that falsely claims to give customers a legal defense against criminal prosecutions for income tax evasion, the Justice Department announced today.

March 28, 2008

RESERVE NAVAL LIEUTENANT COMMANDER AND CHAPLAIN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF STEALING PAY AND ALLOWANCES

A Reserve Naval lieutenant commander and chaplain with the United States Navy has been indicted on nine counts of theft of government funds for allegedly receiving approximately $172,229 in unearned pay and allowances from the Navy.

March 27, 2008

Attorney General Mukasey Announces Charges Against 13 “Grape Street Crips” Gang Members and Associates and the Formation of an Additional Safe Streets Task Force to Combat Gang Violence

March 26, 2008

FORMER C.E.O. OF ELECTRONICS FIRM SENTENCED TO 97 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND ORDERED TO PAY OVER $3 MILLION IN RESTITUTION FOR DEFRAUDING LENDING BANKS AND INVESTORS

The former chief executive of a Southern California electronics company who was convicted of defrauding lending banks, falsifying books and records, lying to accountants and filing false financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission was re-sentenced today to 97 months in federal prison.

March 25, 2008

Chinese Agent Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Exporting United States Defense Articles to China

SANTA ANA, California – An engineer who conspired with family members to export United States sensitive military technology to the People’s Republic of China was sentenced today to 293 months in federal prison.

March 24, 2008

SERIAL ARMED BANK ROBBER GETS 16 YEAR JAIL TERM

SACRAMENTO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that United States District Judge Garland E. Burrell, Jr. sentenced today ROBERT BRIAN WINSTON, 23, of Fairfield, to 192 months in federal custody for serial armed bank robbery, armed carjacking, and use of a firearm during commission of a violent crime.

March 21, 2008

SAN JOSE MAN ORDERED TO PAY $239,450 IN RESTITUTION FOR CHINESE INHERITANCE SCAM

SAN JOSE – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Shiu Chau Wang, also known as Alex Wang, was sentenced yesterday and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $239,450 at the rate of $4,500 per month for his role in a “Chinese Inheritance” Scam. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Jeremy Fogel, sitting in San Jose.

March 20, 2008

Former Education Consultant Sentenced to 7 ½ Years in Prison for Fraud and Bid Rigging in The Federal E-Rate Program

WASHINGTON — A former education consultant from California was sentenced to serve 7½ years in prison for rigging bids and defrauding the E-Rate program, the Department of Justice announced.

March 19, 2008

Former Intermune CEO W. Scott Harkonen Indicted for Wire Fraud and FDA Violations

SAN FRANCISCO – W. Scott Harkonen, M.D., the former CEO of InterMune Inc., was indicted on wire fraud and felony Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act charges for his role in the creation and dissemination of false and misleading information about the efficacy of InterMune’s drug Actimmune (Interferon gamma-1b) as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the Justice Department announced today.

March 18, 2008

Ship Pilot Charged in San Francisco Bay Oil Spill Case

WASHINGTON—John Joseph Cota, the pilot of the Cosco Busan, the 65,131-ton container ship that collided with the San Francisco Bay Bridge resulting in the discharge of approximately 58,000 gallons of oil, was charged today with violations of the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, announced Ronald J. Tenpas, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division and Joseph P. Russoniello, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California.

March 17, 2008

Brown Announces Meth Lab And Santa Rosa Drug Ring Bust

Eight arrested, methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, hash, guns, U.S. currency seized

SANTA ROSA--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that California Department of Justice agents yesterday arrested eight suspects in connection with a Santa Rosa drug distribution ring and methamphetamine laboratory in the town of Winton.

March 14, 2008

FORMER ALZA EMPLOYEE ARRAIGNED ON EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES

Former Alza Administrative Assistant Charged Over $240,000 in Personal Expenses to Corporation

March 13, 2008

LODI DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 18 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Judge Imposes Long Sentence on Large-Scale Methamphetamine Dealer Ernesto Manuel Aguila

March 12, 2008

TWO ATTORNEYS AT IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM SENTENCED FOR ROLES IN VISA FRAUD SCHEME

A name partner and an attorney at one of the West Coast’s largest immigration law firms were sentenced today for filing fraudulent employment visa applications on behalf of foreign nationals, including more than a dozen of the law firm’s own workers.

March 11, 2008

ROCKLIN WOMAN DUBBED “THE GRANDMA BANK ROBBER” CHARGED WITH ARMED BANK ROBBERY AND NUMEROUS COUNTS OF BANK FRAUD

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that VALERIE HARRIS, 50, of Rocklin, California was arraigned in federal court, charged with a single count of armed bank robbery and six counts of bank fraud. The case was scheduled for further proceedings before U.S. District Court Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. at 10 a.m. on March 17, 2008.

March 10, 2008

PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY NETS TRACY SEX OFFENDER 25 YEARS IN PRISON

FRESNO — United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that MANUEL GUTIERREZ, Jr., 47, of Tracy, California, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to a prison term of 25 years for one count of producing sexually explicit images of a minor. His sentence will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, during which he will be required to register as a sex offender, and his access to minors, computers, and the Internet will be restricted. He was sentenced for his conviction of.

March 07, 2008

Downey man pleads guilty in West Coast's largest apparel smuggling scheme
ICE agents seize more than $67 million worth of clothing in ongoing investigation

LOS ANGELES - The owner of a Los Angeles-area trucking company pleaded guilty in federal court here this morning to a federal charge stemming from his role in a massive apparel smuggling plot that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigators describe as the largest commercial fraud scheme ever uncovered on the West Coast.

March 06, 2008

BUTTE COUNTY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MULTIPLE COUNTS OF BANK FRAUD, POSSESSION OF STOLEN U.S. MAIL, AND CONSPIRACY

SACRAMENTO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MELISSA ANN MEIER, 19, of Chico, California, pleaded guilty this morning before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. to two counts of bank fraud and two counts of possession of stolen U.S. Mail.

March 05, 2008

INDONESIAN SENTENCED TO 10 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR HACKING INTO HOTEL BUSINESS KIOSKS AND STEALING CREDIT CARD DATA

A Lomita resident who admitted hacking into business kiosks at hotels and stealing credit card information that he used to obtain credit was sentenced this afternoon to 10 months in federal prison.

March 04, 2008

California Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison in Connection with $20 Million Scheme to Defraud the Export-import Bank of the United States

WASHINGTON – David Villongco, 51, of San Mateo, Calif., was sentenced to 33 months in prison in connection with a $20 million scheme to defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor of the District of Columbia announced today.

March 03, 2008

MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING TRADE SECRETS FROM LOCAL COMPANY TO SELL TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

Trade Secrets Involved Military Technology

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ALLEN W. COTTEN, 53, of El Dorado Hills, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Edward J. Garcia to theft of trade secrets.

February 29, 2008

NEW JERSEY MAN WHO SERVED AS EXPERT WITNESS IN NUMEROUS CLASS ACTIONS AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO PERJURY FOR CONCEALING ARRANGEMENTS WITH LAW FIRMS

In a plea agreement filed today in United States District Court in Philadelphia, a Princeton, New Jersey man agreed to plead guilty to perjury, admitting that he lied to numerous federal judges across the county who were presiding over securities class actions.

February 28, 2008

Brown Announces Sixteen Arrests In $2 Million Medi-Cal Pregnancy Fraud

LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrest of two physicians, three clinic administrators, and eleven assistants for luring pregnant women to a fake health clinic that fraudulently billed the state’s Medi-Cal program for at least $2 million.

February 27, 2008

DEFENSE CONTRACTOR BRENT R. WILKES SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR BRIBING FORMER CONGRESSMAN RANDALL “DUKE” CUNNINGHAM

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that today United States District Judge Larry A. Burns sentenced former defense contractor Brent R. Wilkes to 12 years’ imprisonment and to serve three years of supervised release following his release from custody.

February 26, 2008

OROVILLE MAN GUILTY OF STEALING $170,000 OF DECEASED MOTHER’S BENEFITS OVER 16 YEARS

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that WILLIAM EDWARD TURNER, 56, of Oroville, pleaded guilty today to theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. The guilty plea was entered before United States District Judge Edward J. Garcia.

February 25, 2008

CHAIRMAN OF NON-PROFIT CORPORATION SENTENCED TO 37 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING ILLEGAL DRUGS

Used Non-Profit Entity to Purchase Illegal Drugs That Then Were Sold on the Streets of Oakland and Houston

February 22, 2008

VENTURA COUNTY BODY SHOP OWNERS AMONG SIX ARRESTED IN ALIEN SMUGGLING CASE

Ring Allegedly Outfitted Vehicles with Hidden Compartments to Smuggle Aliens

The father and son owners of an Oxnard body shop were among six people arrested this morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on charges of running a human smuggling ring that outfitted vehicles with hidden compartments and used those vehicles to bring illegal aliens into the United States from Mexico.

February 21, 2008

SECOND DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD IN TJ MAXX AND MARSHALLS
STORES RECEIPT SCHEME

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that HOWARD GLOYD, 49, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. to two counts of wire fraud in connection with duplicate purchase receipt scheme that defrauded TJX Companies, Inc., operators of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls retail merchandise stores, of more than $70,000.

February 20, 2008

FEDERAL-LOCAL INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF LEADERS OF POMONA GANGS THAT WERE TRAFFICKING NARCOTICS

A high-ranking member of a Pomona gang associated with the Crips, his girlfriend and a dozen other gang members and associates have been arrested on federal narcotics-trafficking charges resulting from a joint federal-state investigation that targeted gang activity in the East Los Angeles County community. The lead defendant in the case was arrested nearly three weeks ago, two are already in state custody and 10 additional defendants were arrested this morning during a joint law enforcement operation.

February 19, 2008

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY WOMAN SENTENCED TO NEARLY SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR IDENTITY THEFT

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ANGELIQUE MICHELLE HALL, 31, of San Joaquin County, was sentenced by United States District Judge Edward J. Garcia to 81 months in prison for aggravated identity theft, bank fraud, and possession of stolen mail.

February 18, 2008

FORMER EMPLOYEES OF INDIAN HEALTH CENTER INDICTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

FRESNO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned indictments charging SHARON KAY HOSELEY, 54, currently living in Kuna, Idaho, and BELINDA G. HEARN, 41, currently living in New Albany, Mississippi, with two counts of embezzlement in connection with schemes to defraud the Tule River Indian Health Center, Inc., in Porterville, California.

February 15, 2008

INLAND EMPIRE DOCTOR ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF WRITING PRESCRIPTIONS FOR NARCOTICS WITHOUT EXAMINING ‘PATIENTS’

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A Murrieta psychiatrist whose medical license was recently suspended was arrested this morning on federal narcotics distribution charges for allegedly writing prescriptions for powerful and addictive painkillers to people he did not examine and who paid him $100 for the prescriptions.

February 14, 2008

Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Private Equity Funds’ Acquisition of Clear Channel - Divestitures Will Preserve Competition in Four Radio Markets – Cincinnati, Houston, Las Vegas, San Francisco ...

February 13, 2008

WILLIAM LERACH, FORMER NAME PARTNER IN MILBERG WEISS, SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE AND MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS TO FEDERAL JUDGES

William S. Lerach, a former name partner in the law firm now known as Milberg Weiss, was sentenced today to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty last year to a federal conspiracy charge and acknowledging that he and others concealed secret payment arrangements that Milberg had with named plaintiffs in class-action lawsuits.

February 12, 2008

Former Boeing Engineer Charged with Economic Espionage in Theft of Space Shuttle Secrets for China

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A former Boeing engineer was arrested this morning after being indicted last week on charges of economic espionage and acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), for whom the engineer stole Boeing trade secrets related to several aerospace programs, including the Space Shuttle.

February 11, 2008

SISTERS INDICTED ON MONEY LAUNDERING, WIRE FRAUD CHARGES RELATED TO REAL ESTATE ‘FLIPPING’ SCHEME

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted a Los Angeles woman and her sister on money laundering, wire fraud and conspiracy charges for submitting home loan financing packages for residential real estate that contained false information and forged signatures. The defendants used the fraudulently obtained proceeds to purchase properties, which they later sold at a profit.

February 08, 2008

D.A. Announces Multimillion-Dollar Child Care Fraud Ring

LOS ANGELES – District Attorney Steve Cooley announced today that more than 50 people have been charged in a massive child care fraud ring that, in part, was run out of federal prison by a convict serving a narcotic trafficking term.

February 07, 2008

TWO INDICTED IN SCHEME TO COMMIT WIRE FRAUD WITH ACCOUNT INFORMATION STOLEN FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

SAN FRANCISCO– United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced today that a federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Dmitir Glaznikov (33) and Maxim Leontev (25) on January 29th for their role in a scheme to defraud by obtaining account information stolen from financial institutions, creating unauthorized...

February 06, 2008

FORMER EMERYVILLE FINANCIAL ADVISOR SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS FOR INVESTMENT FRAUD SCHEME

Ordered to pay $2,850,861.55 in Restitution

February 05, 2008

SACRAMENTO MAN CHARGED WITH SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD

Sacramento -- United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a federal grand jury returned a four count indictment on January 31, charging ROBERT JAMES LaBELLA, 33, of Sacramento, with theft of government property and false statements in the application for Social Security benefits, violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 641 and 1001, and Title 42, United States Code, Section 1383.

February 04, 2008

FATHER AND SON SALES AGENTS SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF DEFRAUDING
CUSTOMERS

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that KENNETH CERVELLIN, 62, and RONALD CERVELLIN, 47, father and son from the Sacramento area, were sentenced yesterday afternoon by United States District Judge Morrison C. England.

February 01, 2008

Former Los Angeles Police Officer and Former Long Beach Police Officer Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Violate Civil Rights

WASHINGTON – A Los Angeles, Calif., jury today found former Los Angeles Police Department Officer William Ferguson and his brother, former Long Beach Police Department Officer Joseph Ferguson, guilty of conspiring to violate civil rights, conspiring to possess narcotics with intent to distribute, and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, the Justice Department announced. William Ferguson was also found guilty of several firearm offenses and deprivation of rights under color of law.

January 31, 2008

FRAUDULENT PASSPORT APPLICATION EARNS SACRAMENTO MAN ONE-WAY
TICKET TO PRISON

Sacramento – United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that ANWAAR ALI MUHAMMAD (also known as Bilal Amir Dhakir, Devon Anthony Barrett, and Hassan Ismail Muhammad), 32, of Sacramento was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton to 12 months in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to submitting a fraudulent passport application on November 14, 2007.

January 30, 2008

CONVICTED BANK ROBBER SENTENCED TO 22-AND-A -HALF YEARS IN PRISON FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Frederick Lim Johnson was sentenced last week to 22 years and seven months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and for violating the terms of his supervised release.

January 29, 2008

Tacoma Woman Sentenced for Holding Domestic Servant in Forced Labor

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice announced today that a Tacoma, Wash., woman was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for holding a woman in forced labor as a domestic servant. Elizabeth Jackson was sentenced today to three years imprisonment. Jackson previously pleaded guilty to holding a Filipino domestic worker in forced labor.

January 28, 2008

FORMER SACRAMENTO CITY SUPERINTENDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO BRIBERY

SACRAMENTO-- United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Sacramento FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Drew Parenti, and Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel announced today that BARRY HOLLAND, age 60, of Carmichael, entered a guilty plea to accepting unlawful bribes while serving as Superintendent for the City of Sacramento’s Water Distribution Branch. HOLLAND pled guilty to a one count information charging him with violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666, bribery in connection with a municipality that receives federal funds, this morning before the Honorable Garland E. Burrell, Jr., Chief United States District Court Judge.

January 25, 2008

SACRAMENTO MAN DUBBED THE “GRANDPA BANK ROBBER” SENTENCED FOR SERIAL BANK ROBBERY

SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that WILLIAM MICHAEL LEVIN, 58, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 51 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. for his Sacramento County serial bank-robbery spree.

January 24, 2008

Film Executive and Spouse Indicted for Paying Bribes to a Thai Tourism Official to Obtain Lucrative Film Festival Management Contracts

WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien for the Central District of California announced that a Los Angeles-area film executive and his spouse were indicted late yesterday on allegations of making corrupt payments to a Thai government official in order to obtain lucrative contracts to run an international film festival held annually in Bangkok, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

January 23, 2008

FORMER NFL ALL-PRO DANA STUBBLEFIELD PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS IN BALCO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

Former Player Admits Using Illegal Performance-Enhancing Substances

SAN FRANCISCO– The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Dana Stubblefield pleaded guilty today to making false statements to federal investigators in the Balco steroids distribution investigation in the Northern District of California. This guilty plea is the result of an investigation by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

January 22, 2008

Man Pleads Guilty to Alien Smuggling and Forced Labor

Karen P. Hewitt, United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, announced today that GLORIA EUGENIA LEON-ALDANA entered a guilty plea in United States District Court in San Diego before the Honorable M. James Lorenz, to various charges relating to the smuggling of aliens and forced labor. LEON-ALDANA pleaded guilty to three counts of Bringing in Illegal Aliens for Financial Gain and one count of Forced Labor. Her plea follows the guilty pleas last week of two co-defendants, JUAN ANDRES-SANTOS and AGUSTIN ALONSO-TERRERO, who pleaded to one and three counts of Bringing in Illegal Aliens for Financial Gain, respectively. The only remaining defendant charged in the 19-count Superseding Indictment, MARIO ANTONIO ANTUNEZ-SOTELO, remains a fugitive.

January 21, 2008

14 MOVING INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA CHARGED WITH COMMITTING EXTORTION AND FRAUD UPON CONSUMERS IN RESIDENTIAL MOVES

San Jose-Based Moving Company Charged With Illegally Withholding Customer Goods

SAN JOSE– United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced today that a federal grand jury in San Jose has indicted 14 individuals in California and Florida for their role in defrauding, and extorting fees from, hundreds of moving customers throughout the United States. The defendants named in the indictment are:

January 18, 2008

FORMER OLYMPIC CHAMPION MARION JONES-THOMPSON SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS IN TWO FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

JOSEPH P. RUSSONIELLO, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, and, MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that MARION JONES-THOMPSON, 32, of Austin, Texas, was sentenced today to six months imprisonment for making false statements in connection with two separate federal investigations. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS in federal court in White Plains, New York.

January 17, 2008

FRESNO COUNTY WOMAN INVOLVED IN PRIME BANK SCHEME CHARGED WITH FILING FALSE TAX RETURNS

Defendant failed to report commissions from fraudulent investment scheme to the IRS

FRESNO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Special Agent-in-Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Scott O’Briant, announced that MARY J. CLAGG, 60, of Fresno, was indicted on federal income tax charges stemming from a prime bank scheme. MARY J. CLAGG was arraigned on the indictment on January 11, 2008, by Magistrate Judge Dennis Beck, and pled not guilty.

January 16, 2008

Brown Sues Contractor For Employee Rip-off

LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued Interwall Development Systems, one of Los Angeles’s largest drywall contractors, for employing a “sophisticated and heartless scheme” to cheat hundreds of its employees out of at least $5 million in wages and benefits.

January 15, 2008

Mexico-based Corporation Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy to Distribute Anabolic Steroids

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Instituto Agrobioquimico, S.A. de C.V., a Mexico-based corporation manufactured anabolic steroids under the brand name “Loeffler,” pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego to charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Anabolic Steroids and Aiding and Abetting in International Monetary Instrument Transactions involving Tijuana-based anabolic steroid distributors illegally distributing in the United States. The plea was entered before United States District Court Judge M. James Lorenz.

January 14, 2008

Leader of Investment Scheme Sentenced To Serve 25 Years In Prison and Pay $40,556,065.30 in Restitution To Victims

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - January 8, 2008

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that John Harrell was sentenced yesterday in federal court in San Diego by United States District Judge Thomas J. Whelan to serve 25 years in custody and a three-year term of supervised release, forfeit $2,366,805.75, and pay $40,556,065.30 in restitution to more than 50 victims. In February 2007, Harrell pled guilty to 28 counts of federal fraud and money laundering charges relating to his role in a cult-like investment scheme that operated out of San Diego beginning in the late 1980's.

January 11, 2008

FORMER TICKET AGENT INDICTED FOR EMBEZZLING APPROXIMATELY $180,000 FROM AMTRAK FROM 2002 TO 2004

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that Lawrence E. Crayton III of Oakland, California made his initial appearance in federal district court in San Francisco on January 9, 2008 before United States District Judge Maxine M. Chesney. A federal grand jury in San Francisco had previously indicted Mr. Crayton on Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds on December 18, 2007. Mr. Crayton is scheduled for his next appearance in federal court in San Francisco on February 13, 2008 before Judge Chesney.

January 10, 2008

ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERER FROM ICELAND APPEARS IN NEW JERSEY ON CALIFORNIA INDICTMENT

Defendant Arrested in India

SAN FRANCISCO, California, and NEWARK, New Jersey – Joseph P. Russoniello, United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, and Christopher J. Christie, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced that Stefan WATHNE, an Icelandic citizen last known to be residing in Moscow, Russia...

January 09, 2008

EIGHT ARRESTED FOR OBTAINING LOW-INCOME HOUSING ASSISTANCE AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

Seven current employees of the federal government and one former federal worker were arrested today on federal charges of making false statements to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in order to fraudulently obtain federal Section 8 rental housing assistance. A ninth defendant accused of making false statements to HUD is currently being sought by authorities.

January 08, 2008

Justice Department Settles Housing Discrimination Case with Orange County, California, Landlords

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement resolving a housing discrimination lawsuit against Gary Luke, Mary Ngo and Hoa Ngo concerning alleged discrimination on the basis of national origin. Under the consent decree filed today in federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., the defendants will pay $270,844 in monetary relief to the complainants and the United States.

January 07, 2008

VENTURA COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES OF IMPERSONATING CIA AGENT

An Oxnard man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for posing as a CIA agent and requesting money from individuals to support his “mission” in Iraq.

January 04, 2008

46 MONTHS PRISON FOR PHONY BILLIONAIRE FINANCIER

SACRAMENTO--United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that RANDALL BERT FOSHIE, 58, of Roseville, who also uses the name BERT RANDALL FOSHIE, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr., to 46 months in prison. FOSHIE pleaded guilty to one count of felony mail fraud on October 18, 2006.

January 03, 2008

Brown Sues EPA for Illegally Blocking California’s Plan to Curb Tailpipe Emissions

WASHINGTON D.C. — Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., on behalf of the State of California, today sued the United States Environmental Protection Agency for “wrongfully and illegally” blocking the state's landmark tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions standards.

January 02. 2008

MEMBERS OF MONTREAL-BASED TELEMARKETING SCAM NAMED IN FRAUD INDICTMENT ISSUED BY U.S. GRAND JURY

Ring Targeted Elderly Victims who Lost at least $1 Million in Canada, U.S.

LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has returned a 25-count indictment that accuses nearly two dozen people of participating in a Canadian-based telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims with promises of large cash prizes.

January 01, 2008

AFO Lieutenants Sentenced To Combined 70 Years in Prison and $6,000,000 Forfeiture

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Ismael Higuera-Guerrero and his brother, Gilberto Higuera-Guerrero were sentenced in federal court in San Diego by United States District Judge Larry A. Burns based on their guilty pleas to federal racketeering charges arising from their participation in the Arellano-Felix Drug Trafficking Organization (AFO). Today, Judge Burns sentenced Gilberto Higuera-Guerrero to serve 30 years in custody and to forfeit $1,000,000 . On December 3, 2007, Judge Burns sentenced Ismael Higuera-Guerrero to serve 40 years in custody and to forfeit $5,000,000.

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