Stories by Federal Newswire on Federal Newswire


New Jersey business owner admits guilt in significant tax evasion case

A New Jersey man has admitted guilt in a tax evasion case related to employment tax penalties. Joseph Caravella, from Randolph, owned multiple masonry companies in the state. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2008 and 2016, the IRS imposed approximately $650,000 in Trust Fund Recovery penalties on Caravella. This was due to his failure to ensure that three of his businesses paid their federal employment taxes.


Justice Department supports FTC's updates on premerger notification form

The Justice Department's Antitrust Division has announced its agreement with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to finalize changes to the premerger notification form and related instructions. These changes, which also affect the premerger notification rules under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act, represent the first significant update to the HSR form since 1978.


Defense leaders convene inaugural meeting for partnership in Indo-Pacific region

On October 7-8, 2024, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante led the first plenary meeting of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event was attended by National Armament Directors and senior leaders from PIPIR member nations in both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. It was hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies along with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).


Justice Department sues over alleged duty evasion on Chinese solar panel imports

The Justice Department has initiated a civil lawsuit against Paul Bakhoum, the former Vice President for Operations at Ecosolargy Inc., a California-based corporation. The lawsuit accuses Bakhoum of making false statements to customs officials to evade paying duties on Chinese-manufactured solar panels imported into the United States.


Biden administration partners with Edwards Vacuum for U.S. pump manufacturing

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a preliminary agreement with Edwards Vacuum to manufacture specialized dry vacuum pumps in the United States. This development is facilitated through a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) signed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Edwards Vacuum, which could result in up to $18 million in proposed funding under the CHIPS and Science Act.


Maui Varieties fined for illegal pesticide sales in Hawaii

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Maui Varieties Ltd., operating as HouseMart, over allegations related to the illegal import and distribution of unregistered pesticides and misbranded pesticide devices. These products, marketed as disinfectants or antimicrobial health solutions, were sold through Daiso locations across Hawai‘i.


FTC releases annual Hart-Scott-Rodino report for fiscal year 2023

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division have published their annual report on the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Premerger Notification Program for fiscal year 2023. This program serves as an alert system for transactions that could potentially reduce competition in violation of federal law.


Kentucky restaurants fined $250K over child labor violations

The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement with El Mazatlan Inc., a Glasgow-based restaurant chain, requiring the company to pay $250,000 in penalties for violations of federal child labor laws. The investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division revealed that the restaurant employed a 13-year-old child and 37 teenagers aged 14 and 15 to work more hours than permitted by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).


CBP intercepts first-ever Artaxa sp. pest at Brownsville Seaport

A team of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the Port of Brownsville successfully intercepted a pest previously unseen in the area. The interception took place on September 18 when two specialists conducted an inspection aboard a motor vessel arriving from Vietnam.


Brazil's finance ministry proposes antitrust reforms for digital markets

The Brazilian Ministry of Finance has released a report focusing on digital regulation, following a consultation on the economic and competitive aspects of digital platforms. Earlier this year, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) submitted comments on the issue.


TD Bank pleads guilty, agrees to $1.8 billion penalty for BSA violations

Today, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced that TD Bank has pleaded guilty to charges related to the Bank Secrecy Act and money laundering conspiracy violations. The bank will pay a $1.8 billion penalty, marking the largest penalty ever imposed under the Bank Secrecy Act.


Kentucky restaurants fined $250K over child labor law violations

The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement with a Glasgow-based restaurant chain, mandating the payment of $250,000 in fines and the implementation of measures to ensure future compliance with federal child labor laws. This follows an investigation that revealed the company employed one child below the legal working age and 37 teenagers for more hours than legally permitted.


EPA announces major loan for Oregon wastewater facility upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $24 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Sandy, Oregon. This funding will support efforts to modernize wastewater facilities and enhance water quality in local waterways.


Blinken discusses US-Thailand relations with Prime Minister Shinawatra

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, highlighting the longstanding alliance between the United States and Thailand. During their meeting, Secretary Blinken emphasized the shared history and values that underpin the relationship between the two nations.


Ad Council partners with CDC & AMA for nationwide flu vaccination campaign

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Ad Council have joined forces to encourage Americans to get vaccinated against the flu. The call comes after preliminary estimates showed that during the 2023-2024 flu season, at least 41 million people contracted the flu, resulting in 490,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 deaths. Despite these numbers, less than half of the U.S. population received a flu vaccine.


Labor Department warns on hurricane-related safety risks

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a cautionary message to emergency response and recovery workers, as well as residents in areas affected by hurricanes Milton and Helene. The department emphasizes the importance of recognizing and avoiding hazards associated with flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.


Julie Sweet to deliver keynote speech at CES 2025

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, will deliver a keynote address at CES 2025. The event is scheduled for January 8 at 2 p.m. in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Accenture has been a regular exhibitor at CES, demonstrating how businesses can utilize emerging technologies such as AI to improve customer experiences and operational efficiency.


Survey shows tech regulation ranks low among voter priorities

A recent survey conducted by Morning Consult and commissioned by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) reveals that regulating technology companies is not a priority for U.S. voters. The poll, carried out in September 2024, included interviews with 2,500 U.S. voters. It was designed to represent registered voters considering various demographic factors.


EPA and White Mountain Apache reach agreement on wastewater treatment improvements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe have reached an agreement to address non-compliance with the Clean Water Act concerning wastewater treatment on tribal land in Arizona. The Tribe operates five wastewater treatment plants, including those at Sunrise Park Resort, Hon-Dah Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Whiteriver Sewage Lagoons.


Teva settles $450M over false claims act violations involving kickbacks

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. and Teva Neuroscience Inc., collectively known as Teva, have agreed to a $450 million settlement to resolve allegations of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the False Claims Act (FCA). The company, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, is recognized as the largest generic drug manufacturer in the United States. The settlement amount was determined based on Teva's financial capacity.