News published on Federal Newswire in August 2021

News Release: A Tennessee man was charged yesterday with civil rights violations for his role in the arson of four Nashville area churches.

Mississippi Pharmacist and Louisiana Marketer Plead Guilty to More Than $180 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

News Release: A Mississippi pharmacist pleaded guilty today and a Louisiana marketer pleaded guilty on Aug. 12 in the Southern District of Mississippi for their roles in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud TRICARE and private insurance companies by paying kickbacks to distributors for the referral of medically ...

Justice Department Settles with Large Health Care Organization to Resolve Software-Based Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims

News Release: The Department of Justice announced today that it reached a settlement with Ascension Health Alliance (Ascension), a Missouri-based health care organization with more than 2,600 sites – including 146 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Justice Department Obtains Settlement from Kentucky Landlord and Rental Manager to Resolve Claims of Sexual Harassment Against Female Tenants

News Release: The Justice Department today announced it has reached an agreement with defendants Gus and Penny Crank to resolve a Fair Housing Act lawsuit alleging that Gus Crank sexually harassed female tenants while managing a Dayton, Kentucky, rental property owned by his wife, Penny Crank. Under the consent order ...

Multiple Defendants in 'Grandparent Scam' Network Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy

News Release: Note: Click to view the indictment.

Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Announces Renewal of Charter for Industry Advisory Group

News Release: The Department of State has renewed the Charter of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ Industry Advisory Group (IAG) for an additional two-year period. The Industry Advisory Group (IAG) serves in an advisory capacity, providing industry and academia’s latest concepts, methods, best practices, ...

Annual GDI-OBO Resilience Innovation Grant Winners Announced

News Release: The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the winners of the third annual Resilience Innovation Grant, a part of the Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) Awards. Sponsored by the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), the grant provides nearly $1 million to help U.S. embassies and consulates ...

Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Omani Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Al Harthy

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met today in Washington, D.C. with Omani Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalifa Al Harthy to discuss our shared commitment to peace and security across the region. The Deputy Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister also discussed other issues important to the U.S.-Oman relationship, including strengthening the Omani economy and attracting foreign investment.

Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks to the Press on Afghanistan

News Release: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will deliver on-camera remarks to the press on our efforts to bring Americans home and our support for the broader evacuation from Afghanistan. These remarks will take place today, Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 2:30 p.m. in the Press Briefing Room at the Department of State.

Uruguay Independence Day

News Release: On behalf of the government of the United States, I congratulate the people of Uruguay as you celebrate the 196th anniversary of your independence. The United States and Uruguay share a long history of friendship and partnership as nations seeking to promote democracy, prosperity, and security in our ...

Secretary Antony J. Blinken On Afghanistan

News Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon. I’d like to give you all an update on the situation in Afghanistan and our ongoing efforts there, particularly as they relate to U.S. citizens, and then I’m very happy to take your questions.

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Bennett

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Bennett emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Israel partnership and discussed regional security issues, ...

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo Joins White House Cybersecurity Summit

By Commerce News Now | Aug 25, 2021

News Release: Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo joined President Biden, senior Administration officials and private sector leaders to discuss how to improve the nation’s cybersecurity and foster stronger collaboration across the public and private sector to address cybersecurity challenges.

US Department of Labor finds wage violations at northeast Louisiana drug and alcohol recovery center, recovers $23K in back wages for six workers

News Release: RAYVILLE, LA – Like many in the addiction treatment industry, Rayville Recovery employees work long hours – beyond regular shifts and on weekends – to help individuals overcome their drug and alcohol dependence. A recent federal investigation found Rayville failed to pay some of these essential workers ...

Maryland subcontractor pays $531K in back wages to 45 ironworkers after US Department of Labor investigation

News Release: CLINTON, MD – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division recovered $531,173 in back wages for 45 ironworkers subcontracted for federally funded construction at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda. Investigators found their employer failed to pay them the required prevailing wages and benefits for ironworkers.

US Department of Labor’s Office of the Solicitor welcomes applications from graduating law students, recent graduates to join Honors Program

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Solicitor invites outstanding recent law school graduates with a passion for public service to apply for its two-year Honors Program and earn unique experience in one of the federal government’s preeminent legal offices.

US Department of Labor finds Tinton Falls transitional housing facility exposed workers to coronavirus hazards; 11 workers test positive

News Release: TINTON FALLS, NJ – A federal workplace safety and health investigation found numerous violations at a Tinton Falls transitional housing facility where 11 employees and 28 residents tested positive for the coronavirus by late March.

US Department of Labor cites Marietta manufacturer for exposing workers willfully to preventable fall hazards that led to employee’s death

News Release: MARIETTA, GA – A federal safety and health investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded that a Marietta manufacturer allowed a forklift operator to work on elevated storage racks without fall protection, resulting in the employee’s death.

US Department of Labor awards $22M in grants for training, employment services to workers displaced by pandemic’s impacts