Daily Law Blog

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Race Discrimination Against the City of Marion, Arkansas

The Justice Department today announced that it has reached a settlement with the city of Marion, Ark., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, will resolve the department’s lawsuit against the city alleging race discrimination in employment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of [...]

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Federal Court Permanently Bars Utah Man from Promoting “Asset Protection” Scheme

Business Allegedly Helped Customers Evade Taxes A federal judge in St. George, Utah, has permanently enjoined Kent Bickmore, the founder of a so-called asset-protection business, from helping customers file fraudulent liens and create hidden nominee bank accounts, the Justice Department announced today. Bickmore agreed to the injunction without admitting the government’s allegations.

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California Court Bars Four Men from Promoting Alleged Stock-Loan Tax Fraud Scheme

Government Lawsuit Says “Derivium” Promoters Disguised Stock Sales as Purported Loans A federal judge in San Francisco has issued permanent injunctions barring four individuals from promoting what a government lawsuit describes as a complex tax-fraud scheme involving several entities located around the globe, the Justice Department announced today. U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton signed the [...]

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Liberian Ocean Shipping Company Admits Falsifying Oil Discharge Record Books

Company to Pay $1 Million Fine and $350,000 Community Service Payment A Liberian-incorporated shipping company pleaded guilty today in federal court in Trenton, N.J., to failing to keep accurate oily water discharge records and using falsified records to conceal the discharge at sea of untreated bilge from one of its cargo ships, the Justice Department announced.

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Justice Department to Monitor Election in Ohio

The Justice Department today announced that during the Sept. 8, 2009, municipal election in Cleveland, Ohio, it will monitor polling place activities for compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Attorneys from the Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the federal activities and maintain contact with local election officials. Each year, the Justice Department deploys [...]

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Three Men Charged in Human Trafficking Conspiracy for Exploiting Thai Farm Workers in Hawaii

The Justice Department announced the indictment of Alec Souphone Sou and Mike Mankone Sou, owners of Aloun Farm in Hawaii, and Thai labor recruiter William Khoo late yesterday for engaging in a conspiracy to commit forced labor and visa fraud. The charges arise from the defendants’ alleged scheme to coerce the labor and services of [...]

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