News and reports from the Department of Justice.

Precision Toxicology, operating as Precision Diagnostics, has agreed to pay $27 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act and similar state statutes. The company was accused of billing Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests and providing free items to physicians who referred laboratory testing business to Precision. Based in San Diego, Precision is one of the largest urine drug testing laboratories in the United States.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey have taken legal action against the State of New Jersey, filing a complaint concerning conditions at state-run veterans homes. A proposed consent decree has been filed to address findings of unconstitutional conditions at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes located in Menlo Park and Paramus.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) over allegations that its hiring practices for state troopers violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The claims centered on the use of a written test, which allegedly discriminates against Black candidates, and a physical fitness test, which allegedly discriminates against female candidates. A federal judge must still approve the agreement.

The Justice Department has announced a settlement with the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) concerning allegations of discriminatory hiring practices. The United States claims that MDSP's hiring process for state troopers violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. According to these allegations, the written test used by MDSP discriminates against Black candidates, while the physical fitness test discriminates against female candidates. The settlement agreement is pending approval from a federal judge.

Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Head of the Criminal Division, addressed a symposium organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). Her remarks focused on the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence in law enforcement.

The Justice Department has unsealed an indictment against Russian national Aleksandr Viktorovich Ryzhenkov, charging him with using the BitPaymer ransomware variant to attack multiple victims in Texas and across the United States. The indictment alleges that since at least June 2017, Ryzhenkov gained unauthorized access to victims' computer networks, deployed BitPaymer ransomware to encrypt files, and demanded ransom for decryption keys and to prevent public exposure of sensitive information.

The Justice Department has released findings indicating that conditions in Georgia’s prisons violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

TD Securities (USA) LLC has agreed to a resolution with the Justice Department to settle criminal charges related to a scheme involving unlawful trading in the U.S. Treasuries secondary market. The New York-based securities firm entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) and will pay over $15.5 million in penalties, forfeiture, and victim compensation.

The Justice Department has announced charges in five cases related to violent incidents at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. The charges include the murders of Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero, an attempted murder, and two assaults that occurred between April and August of this year. All defendants were already detained at MDC on other charges.

The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement with the Aiken County Public School District in South Carolina. This agreement addresses concerns that English learner students were not receiving adequate instruction and services.

On September 27, the Commonwealth of Australia extradited Jin Guanghua, 53, to the United States. Jin, a Chinese national, and his co-conspirators North Korean banker Sim Hyon-Sop, 50, and Chinese nationals Qin Guoming, 60, and Han Linlin, 41, were charged by indictment in 2022 for facilitating the sale of tobacco to North Korea through the U.S. financial system in violation of sanctions. Jin made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia today.

A Montana man has been sentenced to six months in prison for committing two felony wildlife crimes related to an almost decade-long effort to create giant sheep hybrids. Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, 81, of Vaughn, is the owner and operator of Sun River Enterprises LLC, also known as Schubarth Ranch. The ranch specializes in alternative livestock such as mountain sheep and goats, primarily for captive hunting operations.

The Justice Department has announced plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Alaska for the October 1 Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) elections. The department will focus on the Bethel, Dillingham, and Kusilvak Census Areas, as well as the Northwest Arctic and North Slope Boroughs.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke addressed the Civil Rights Division’s cold case initiative, highlighting its significance in seeking justice for victims of racial violence. The event coincided with the 69th anniversary of the trial of Emmett Till's murderers, who were acquitted despite strong evidence.

The Justice Department has announced a settlement agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WDOC) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This agreement aims to ensure that incarcerated individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to WDOC’s programs, services, and activities. These include educational, counseling, medical, recreational, and prison employment programs. The settlement resolves an investigation into complaints that WDOC did not provide necessary auxiliary aids and services to inmates with hearing disabilities.