News published on Federal Newswire in February 2021

News Release: Greenbelt, Maryland - A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Andrew Joseph Trimmer, a/k/a D and Smoke, age 32, and Alicia Marie Walls, a/k/a Porsha and Alicia Porsha, age 28, both of Bowie, Maryland, on federal charges related to a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. The superseding...

COVID-19 Update: USDA, FDA Underscore Current Epidemiologic and Scientific Information Indicating No Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging

By USDA Newswire | Feb 18, 2021

News Release: The following is attributed to Acting USDA Secretary Kevin Shea and Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.

Justice Department Settles Sex Discrimination Lawsuit Alleging Disparate Treatment Against Female Correctional Officers by the Michigan Department of Corrections

News Release: The Justice Department today announced that it has reached a settlement, through a court-supervised settlement agreement, with the State of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to resolve a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the United States of America.

Political Donor Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Lobbying and Campaign Contribution Crimes, Tax Evasion, and Obstruction of Justice

News Release: A venture capitalist and political fundraiser was sentenced today to 144 months in federal prison for falsifying records to conceal his work as a foreign agent while lobbying high-level U.S. government officials, evading the payment of millions of dollars in taxes, making illegal campaign contributions, and obstructing a federal investigation into the source of donations to a presidential inauguration committee.

Vessel Operator and Engineers Sentenced for Oil Waste Discharge Offenses

News Release: A vessel operating company was sentenced today in Hagatna, Guam, for illegally discharging oil into Apra Harbor, Guam, and for maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharges of oily bilge water from the vessel Kota Harum.

Federal Reserve Board announces final rule intended to reduce risk and increase efficiency in the financial system by applying netting protections to a broader range of financial institutions

By Fed Newswire | Feb 18, 2021

News Release: The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced a final rule that is intended to reduce risk and increase efficiency in the financial system by applying netting protections to a broader range of financial institutions.

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Afghan President Ghani

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke yesterday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss the United States’ ongoing review of its strategy in Afghanistan. The Secretary reiterated America’s commitment to support the peace process, aiming ...

The Gambia’s National Day

News Release: On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, it is my pleasure to congratulate the people of The Gambia on the 56th anniversary of your independence.

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Quad Ministers

News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The Ministers discussed Quadrilateral (“Quad”) cooperation ...

Joint Statement by the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom

News Release: The following statement was released by United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, and UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab following today’s ministerial meeting: Begin text: The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany ...

Political Developments in Georgia

News Release: The United States is deeply concerned by recent political developments in Georgia. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions or rhetoric that could escalate tensions or result in violence. We urge the Georgian government to act in line with its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and to reinforce its commitment to the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and rule of law by ensuring that its judicial and prosecutorial system is free of political bias.

Imposing Visa Restrictions on Additional Individuals Undermining Belarusian Democracy

News Release: The United States remains alarmed by the Lukashenka regime’s continuing violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, pro-democracy activists, and journalists. The February 16 raids on human rights organization Vyasna, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, and independent trade union workers, as well as the February 18 sentencing of journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova are particularly troublesome.

U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Meeting on Shared North Korea-Related Challenges

News Release: The Biden Administration is committed to strengthening U.S. alliance relationships, particularly with our key Northeast Asian allies Japan and the Republic of Korea. As part of this effort, and against the backdrop of the Biden Administration’s ongoing North Korea policy review, representatives from ...

Briefing with Senior State Department Officials on Diplomacy to Constrain Iran’s Nuclear Program

News Release: MODERATOR: Thanks very much, and thanks to everyone for joining the call on fairly short notice. As you probably saw, we issued a very short statement from me just a moment ago, and we wanted to take a moment to offer some context around that statement. And to do so, we have two speakers on this call, ...

Public Health and the Draw Down of the Migrant Protection Protocols Program

News Release: The Administration’s policy is to protect our national and border security, address the humanitarian challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border, and ensure public health and safety. The Departments of State and Homeland Security are coordinating closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...

Twin Cities area grocer will pay $212K in overtime back wages to 81 workers after US Department of Labor investigation

News Release: ST. PAUL – Twin Cities’ area shoppers know about Supermercado Lomabonita’s five locations, but they may not know that a recent U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the grocer failed to pay overtime to its cooks, butchers, bakers and cashiers as required by law.

Myrtle Beach Ben & Jerry’s franchisee to pay $21,360 in back wages, fines after US Department of Labor investigation finds wage, child labor violations

News Release: MYRTLE BEACH, SC – While the operator of six South Carolina ice cream franchise locations sold customers frozen treats, a federal investigation has gotten 61 workers their just desserts – a total of $16,250 in back wages – for the employer’s failure to pay overtime at six Myrtle Beach locations.

US Labor Department finds Guam construction contractor illegally attempted to avoid paying overtime by misclassifying workers as independent contractors

News Release: DEDEDO, GUAM – By deliberately misclassifying employees as independent contractors, a Dededo construction company attempted to avoid paying overtime when workers exceeded 40 hours in a workweek until a federal investigation uncovered the scheme.

US Labor Department finds Guam construction contractor illegally attempted to avoid paying overtime by misclassifying workers as independent contractors

News Release: DEDEDO, GUAM – By deliberately misclassifying employees as independent contractors, a Dededo construction company attempted to avoid paying overtime when workers exceeded 40 hours in a workweek until a federal investigation uncovered the scheme.

Myrtle Beach Ben & Jerry’s franchisee to pay $21,360 in back wages, fines after US Department of Labor investigation finds wage, child labor violations