News published on Federal Newswire in February 2020

News from February 2020


Physician Charged for Alleged Role in an Over $120 Million Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Sponsorship of Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famers

News Release: A physician who from 2016 to 2017 was the top prescriber of oxycodone 30 mg in Michigan was charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today with an over $120 million health care fraud and money laundering scheme that involved the alleged medically unnecessary distribution of over 2.2 million dosage ...


The Department of Justice Creates Section Dedicated to Denaturalization Cases

News Release: The Department of Justice today announced the creation of a section dedicated to investigating and litigating revocation of naturalization. The Denaturalization Section will join the existing sections within the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation—the District Court Section and the Appellate ...


Arrests in Four States of Racially Motivated Violent Extremists Targeting Journalists and Activists

News Release: Four racially motivated violent extremists from across the U.S. were arrested and charged today in U.S District Court in Seattle with a conspiracy to threaten and intimidate journalists and activists, the Department of Justice announced. Today’s arrests and searches by the FBI and local law enforcement ...


Singaporean Shipping Company Convicted for Concealing Illegal Discharges of Oily Water

News Release: Unix Line PTE Ltd., a Singapore-based shipping company, pleaded guilty in federal court today to a violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.


Former Executive Director of Nonprofit Sentenced for Illegally Diverting Charity Funds to Unnamed State Senator and Convicted Lobbyist

News Release: A former executive director of South Arkansas Youth Services (SAYS), an Arkansas-based nonprofit, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to unlawfully divert over $380,000 from the charity to an Arkansas state senator and the lobbying firm of a convicted lobbyist.


Tennessee Podiatrist Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances

News Release: A Tennessee podiatrist pleaded guilty today for his role in unlawfully distributing controlled substances.


Two Los Angeles Pharmacy Owners Sentenced for Multimillion-Dollar Scheme that Billed Medicare, Cigna $11.8 Million in Fraudulent Medication Claims

News Release: Two owners and operators of a Los Angeles pharmacy were both sentenced today to 144 months in prison for their roles in a health care fraud scheme where Medicare and CIGNA were billed more than $11.8 million in fraudulent claims for prescription drugs.


Statement by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Visit to Pakistan

News Release: As President Trump said this week, “Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one.” The United States is Pakistan’s largest export destination. U.S. companies have a long history of doing business in Pakistan, contributing to its economic development and providing high-value jobs. The work Pakistan ...


UPDATED: U.S. Department of Labor Announces ‘Protecting Employees, Enabling Reemployment’ Initiative to Improve Federal Workplace Safety and Health

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a memorandum announcing the creation of the Protecting Employees, Enabling Reemployment (PEER) Initiative. The Initiative serves as an opportunity for agencies to recommit to a safety and health-conscious federal workforce that can receive needed timely benefits through a modern and efficient workers’ compensation system.


U.S. Department of Labor Orders Connecticut Commercial Motor Carrier To Compensate Driver Who Raised Safety Concerns

News Release: BOSTON, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that Universal Trucking Solutions LLC – a defunct Hartford, Connecticut, commercial motor carrier – and its co-owner, Juan Ramirez, violated the whistleblower protections of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA).


U.S. Department of Labor Extends Emphasis Program to Reduce Risks Of Amputation in Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Industry

News Release: PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an initiative to have agency inspections focus on reducing workplace hazards that can lead to amputation injuries for workers in Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry.


U.S. Department of Labor Extends Emphasis Program to Reduce Risks Of Amputation in Delaware’s Manufacturing Industry

News Release: PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an initiative to have agency inspections focus on reducing workplace hazards that can lead to amputation injuries for workers in Delaware’s manufacturing industry.


U.S. Department of Labor Extends Emphasis Program to Reduce Risks Of Amputation in West Virginia’s Manufacturing Industry

News Release: PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an initiative to have agency inspections focus on reducing workplace hazards that can lead to amputation injuries for workers in West Virginia’s manufacturing industry.


U.S. Department of Labor Cites Charcoal Manufacturer  For Multiple Hazards at Two Missouri Locations

News Release: BRANSON, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Royal Oak Enterprises for exposing employees to multiple safety and health hazards at company facilities in Branson and Summersville, Missouri. The charcoal manufacturer faces $339,702 in penalties.


U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Economic Growth  At Business Day in Madison, Wisconsin

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, to address business leaders at the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) Business Day. In his remarks, the Secretary attributed the nation’s strong economic performance to the President’s pro-growth policies, ...


U.S. Department of Labor Launches Interactive Learning Management System for Federal Contractors

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released its first-ever Contractor Compliance Institute (CCI) – an interactive learning management system designed to educate employers with federal contracts and subcontracts on how to comply with OFCCP’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.


UPDATED: U.S. Department of Labor Announces ‘Protecting Employees, Enabling Reemployment’ Initiative to Improve Federal Workplace Safety and Health

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a memorandum announcing the creation of the Protecting Employees, Enabling Reemployment (PEER) Initiative. The Initiative serves as an opportunity for agencies to recommit to a safety and health-conscious federal workforce that can receive needed timely benefits through a modern and efficient workers’ compensation system.


U.S. Department of Labor Cites Charcoal Manufacturer  For Multiple Hazards at Two Missouri Locations

News Release: BRANSON, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Royal Oak Enterprises for exposing employees to multiple safety and health hazards at company facilities in Branson and Summersville, Missouri. The charcoal manufacturer faces $339,702 in penalties.


U.S. Department of Labor Extends Emphasis Program to Reduce Risks Of Amputation in West Virginia’s Manufacturing Industry

News Release: PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an initiative to have agency inspections focus on reducing workplace hazards that can lead to amputation injuries for workers in West Virginia’s manufacturing industry.


U.S. Department of Labor Extends Emphasis Program to Reduce Risks Of Amputation in Delaware’s Manufacturing Industry

News Release: PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an initiative to have agency inspections focus on reducing workplace hazards that can lead to amputation injuries for workers in Delaware’s manufacturing industry.