News from November 2021
DOL recovers $2.4 billion in employee benefit payments
By Bob Martin | Nov 30, 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that it recovered $2.4 billion after Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigations in fiscal year 2021.
'The new electricity': USDA grants to spur high-speed internet in rural areas
By Emily Bevard | Nov 30, 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to increase access to high-speed internet for residents in rural areas across the country.
‘The annual Forest Service Christmas present is here’: National Christmas Tree arrives in Washington D.C.
By Art Benavidez | Nov 30, 2021
The USDA Forest Service has set the record straight as to just how far the National Christmas Tree traveled to the U.S. Capitol.
USDA announces steps to restore roadless protections on Tongass National Forest
By Art Benavidez | Nov 30, 2021
Protections to over nine million acres of inventoried roadless regions on the Tongass National Forest in Alaska will be reestablished, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
New York Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Possessing Firearm as Previously Convicted Felon
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: TRENTON, N.J. - A New York man with prior felony convictions was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Upper Marlboro Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Greenbelt, Maryland - Charles Benjamin Stewart, Jr., age 46, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges for conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine; for illegally transporting a firearm obtained out of state; and for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.
Rhinelander Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Possessing Stolen Ammunition
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dustin LaPuma, 27, Rhinelander, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 100 months in prison for knowingly possessing stolen ammunition. LaPuma pleaded guilty to this charge on Oct. 1, 2021.
Convicted Embezzler Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Another Company Where He Was Doing Accounting Work
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: PITTSBURGH, PA - A suburban Pittsburgh residentcity,/state pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of wire fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
New York Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Possessing Firearm as Previously Convicted Felon
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: TRENTON, N.J. - A New York man with prior felony convictions was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Taos Pueblo man charged with murder in Indian Country
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Santiago Martinez, 29, of Taos, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo, appeared for a preliminary hearing in federal court today where he was charged with murder in Indian Country. Martinez will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
Turkish Citizen Living in the Pittsburgh Area Indicted on Fraud Charges
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: PITTSBURGH - A citizen of Turkey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of committing mail and wire fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The Bureau of Land Management welcomes new Field Manager to the Uncompahgre Field Office
By Interior Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Montrose, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) welcomes Suzanne Copping as the new Uncompahgre Field Manager in Montrose, Colo. Suzanne will be responsible for guiding resource decisions on nearly 900,000 acres of public land in BLM Colorado's Southwest District, including the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, a portion of the Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area, and four river systems-the Gunnison, San Miguel, Dolores, and Uncompahgre.
Charlestown Man Sentenced for Trafficking Firearms and Being Felon in Possession of Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Defendant acquired over 36 firearms that were later trafficked to gang members and prohibited persons.
Carriere Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Video of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Gulfport, Miss. - A Carriere, Mississippi man pled guilty to producing a video of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
UT Southwestern to Pay $4.5 Million to Resolve Alleged Controlled Substance Act Violations That Permitted Drug Diversion by Staff
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Dallas - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has agreed to pay $4.5 million to resolve allegations that its violations of the Controlled Substances Act allowed hospital staff to divert fentanyl and other dangerous drugs from the hospital, announced DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez.
Brady: A Day in the Life Under the Biden-Pelosi $4 Trillion Scheme
By Commerce Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Brady: A Day in the Life Under the Biden-Pelosi $4 Trillion Scheme.
Secretary Haaland visits Maryland to promote recently-signed infrastructure plan
By Art Benavidez | Nov 30, 2021
Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland visited numerous sites in Maryland this week to bring awareness to the bipartisan infrastructure law’s investments in infrastructure and climate resiliency initiatives.
Man Sentenced for Obstruction of Justice and Violations of Federal Firearms and Narcotics Laws
By DOJ Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Duane A. Evans announced that KENDALL BARNES, age 25, of New Orleans, was sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); possession with the intent to distribute heroin, in violation ...
Brown Trout Winter Bonanza Dec 1 2021 through Jan 31 2022
By Interior Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: Anglers can earn added cash bonuses for participating in the Brown Trout Winter Bonanza, being held Dec. 1, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022. Receive a month-end bonus of $500 for the largest brown trout (determined by head length) and $500 for the most brown trout harvested from the Colorado River between...
Investing in a Secure, Resilient, and Clean Energy Future
By DOE Newswire | Nov 30, 2021
News Release: The Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response Applauds the Landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.
