SCOTT AFB, Illinois, Oct. 2 -- The U.S. Air Force Scott Air Force Base issued the following news: The 375th Air Mobility Wing recently earned an "Effective" rating during a comprehensive inspection Sept. 18-20, aimed at assessing the wing's performance and capabilities. Conducted by the Air Mobility Command Inspector General, the Unit Effectiveness Inspections evaluates the Commander's Inspection Program for accuracy, adequacy, and relevance, while focusing on an independent assessment of the  more PR

SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 1 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills: * AB 1113 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) - California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System: expanded learning opportunity programs. * AB 1775 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) - Cannabis: retail preparation, sale, and consumption of noncannabis food and beverage p more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release on Oct. 2, 2024: Federal and local law enforcement have arrested 42 members and associates of the SFV Peckerwoods, a San Fernando Valley-based white supremacist street gang, on a 76-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they engaged in a years-long pattern of racketeering activity that included trafficking of drugs - including fentanyl - illegal firearms more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: The imprisoned founder and CEO of an Orange County-based company that marketed stem cell-based products linked to multiple hospitalizations was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison - consecutive to his current prison sentence. John Warrington Kosolcharoen, 53, most recently of Rancho Santa Margarita, was sentenced by United States  more PR

SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Robert Allen Pooley, 49, of Acampo, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb to two years in prison for wire fraud related to tandem skydiving instructor courses, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Pooley was convicted by a federal jury in May 2024 after a seven-day trial. According to court documents and evide more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) today demanded answers from the Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana following an inspector general report that found that the facility failed to comply with suicide prevention protocols, leading to both a suicide and a suicide attempt. "Due to the tragic death of a veteran from suicide, we write to express o more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 9, 2024, from Global Health Advocacy Incubator: * * * To: The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services RE: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 9, 2024, from from Chris Anoatubby, chair of the Indian Health Service Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The advisory committee reports to the Indian Health Service. * * * To: Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Service more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Sept. 9, 2024, from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.: * * * To: The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1809-P P.O. Box 8010 Baltimore, MD 21244-8010 Re: [CMS-1809-P] Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient  more ST

DENVER, Colorado, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado issued the following news release: Precision Toxicology, doing business as Precision Diagnostics, has agreed to pay $27 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and similar state statutes for billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests, and for providing free items to physicians who agreed to refer expensive laboratory tes more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Here's a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week: Appropriations On Thursday, September 26, the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held an oversight hearing called "United States Postal Service's Role in 2024 Election Mail Readiness." Secure voting is integral to America's free and fair elections. Members of the Financial Services an more PR

NEW YORK, Oct. 2 (TNSres) -- The New York City Bar Association issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: * * * City Bar Proposes Reforms * * * In a report (https://bit.ly/4eKxcW1) released today, the New York City Bar Association asserts that Congress has the Constitutional authority to enact binding and enforceable ethics rules for the U.S. Supreme Court, and endorses the creation of a Judicial Investigation Panel and an Office of the Inspector General for the Supreme Court. Not more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12774) on Sept. 30, 2024, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist: * * * DOD Replicator Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction Replicator, unveiled on August 28, 2023, is a Department of Defense (DOD) initiative, led by DOD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), to field thousands of uncrewed systems by August 2025. Replicator's fi more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN10835) on Oct. 1, 2024, by defense infrastructure policy specialist Alexandra G. Neenan and science and technology policy analyst Marcy E. Gallo. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Accelerating Technology Transitions The Defense Department seeks technological advantages to obtain battlefield overmatch, deter potential enemies, and contribute to decisive U.S. military victory.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12430) on Sept. 30, 2024, by Christina L. Arabia, security assistance, security cooperation and global arms trade analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Security Cooperation Background The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) broadly defines "security cooperation" (also known as SC) as department interactions with foreign security establishments to build security relationshi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48078) on Sept. 25, 2024, entitled "Credible Fear and Defensive Asylum Processes - Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Credible Fear Screening Process Has credible fear screening always been part of the asylum process for migrants arriving at a U.S. border? Asylum regulations and statutory provisions did not originally include a credible fear screening process. I more PR

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut issued the following news release on Oct. 1, 2024: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISRAEL MENDOZA, also known as "D-Nice" and "Israel Mandosa," 44, formerly of Reading, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin a more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, D-Virginia, issued the following news: Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in writing to the Postal Board of Governors to bring to their attention severe deficiencies in United States Postal Service (USPS) operations that risk the security of the mail and mail facilities and threaten the saf more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Evaluation Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the management advisory, "The DoD Should Analyze the Use of Barcode Scanners for Conducting Inventories of Defense Articles Requiring Enhanced End-Use Monitoring." This management advisory is part of an ongoing series of more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness issued a 60-day information collection notice on Sept. 30, 2024, entitled "Service Academy Gender Relations Survey". SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the OUSD(P&R) announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: New York, New York Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis traveled to New York City last week to address key audiences alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). While in New York, Chair Lewis highlighted EXIM's commitment to competing with the People's Republic of China (PRC), investing in renewable energy pro more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: The Board of Directors at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) last week voted to approve a Non-Binding Resolution in Support of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Financings to reaffirm its support for critical minerals transactions.The resolution was developed in response to engagement from stakeholders and members of Congress, including the Chairman an more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: The Board of Directors at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) last week approved five separate transactions for a total of more than $1 billion.The first approval was a final commitment of more than $225 million to support the export of aircraft to Morocco's Royal Air Maroc. The aircraft, which will be exported by Boeing, are expected to be delivered by more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) hosted a panel and reception at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College last week to commemorate the Bank's 90th anniversary.EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis opened the event delivering remarks that highlighted the work EXIM does to advance American exports while working steadfastly to supp more PR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Oct. 3 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following news release: Attorney General Ashley Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit secured more than $700,000 in a multistate action against Precision Toxicology, LLC d/b/a Precision Diagnostics, Inc. The action comes after allegations that Precision knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to federal healthcare programs related to urine drug testing that was not medically necessary or tainted by more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: Today, following disturbing allegations of veteran mistreatment at the Buffalo VA, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 416 to discuss the failures at the Buffalo VA and to pledge to hold it accountable. She is leading a bipartisan push demanding that the Government Accountability Office conduct a VA-wide review of the Veterans Integrated Services Net more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSres) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. OEI-BL-23-00160) on Sept. 17, 2024, entitled "Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees in Many High-Need Areas May Lack Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder" filed under the Administration for Children and Families. Here are excerpts: * * * Report Highlights Why OIG Did This Review As the United States continues to struggle with the opioid crisis, access to medications for more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSres) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. OEI-07-22-00510) on Sept. 5, 2024, entitled "Most Children in Foster Care Did Not Receive Credit Checks and Assistance" filed under the Administration for Children and Families. Here are excerpts: * * * Report Highlights Why OIG Did This Review The over 600,000 children served by foster care each year are vulnerable to identity theft because their personally identifiable a more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (TNSres) -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. OEI-05-22-00330) on Sept. 30, 2024, entitled "States Could Better Leverage Coverage and Access Requirements To Promote Maternal Health Care Access in Medicaid Managed Care" filed under the Administration for Children and Families. Here are excerpts: * * * Report Highlights Why OIG Did This Review * The U.S. is experiencing a maternal health crisis, with worse outcomes here t more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Last week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) subpoenaed Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for documents and information regarding the screening and vetting of sponsors for unaccompanied alien children (UACs). The subpoena follows the Biden-Harris administrati more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following news release on Oct. 1, 2024: Last week, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, blasted the Small Business Administration for its mishandling of a $100 million taxpayer funded program. In Case You Missed It: "Republica more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following statement: * * * Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report this afternoon titled, "Leaders Failed to Address Community Care Consult Delays Despite Staff's Advocacy Efforts at VA Western New York Healthcare Syste more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Committee released the following joint testimony by Shereef Elnahal, under secretary for health and Joshua Jacobs, under secretary for benefits at the Veterans Affairs Department, from a Sept. 10, 2024, hearing entitled "Accountable or Absent?: Examining VA Leadership Under the Biden-Harris Administration": * * * Good morning, Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and Members of the Committee. Thank you for inviting us here today to discuss VA' more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Committee released the following testimony by Veterans Affairs Inspector General Michael J. Missal from a Sept. 10, 2024, hearing entitled "Accountable or Absent?: Examining VA Leadership Under the Biden-Harris Administration": * * * Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and committee members, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the efforts of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to address leadership and governance issues within VA as we more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity released the following written testimony by Alyssa Hundrup, director of health care at the Government Accountability Office, from a Sept. 10, 2024, hearing entitled "Mission Transition: Evaluating Mental Health Support Programs for Separating Servicemembers": * * * DOD AND VA TRANSITION PROGRAMS Recommendations for Improving Mental Health Support What GAO Found The Departments of Defense (DOD) and Vetera more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The House Ways and Means Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-646) on the submission to House of documents protected under Internal Revenue Code Sec. 6103. The report was advanced by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, on Sept. 3, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * I. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND A. Purpose and Summary The Committee on Ways and Means ("Committee") met in closed executive session on May 22, 2024, to consider materials protected by 26 U.S.C. Sec. 6103 ("Section 6103"), more ST

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho issued the following new release: Brett Deuter and his businesses, Deuter Construction, LLC, and Enlighten, LLC, consented to an $850,000 judgment against them in United States District Court after admitting to violations of the False Claims Act, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced. The fraud perpetrated by Deuter involved misappropriating funds from two different COVID-19 Relief Programs: the Paycheck Protection more PR

ROCKFORD, Illinois, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: The owner of a Chicago laboratory has pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme. ZISHAN ALVI, 45, of Inverness, Ill., owned and operated a laboratory in Chicago that performed testing for Covid-19. From February 2021 through February 2022, Alvi caused claims to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service more PR

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Oct. 1 -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Today, Hannibal "Mike" Ware joined the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) as Acting Inspector General. He will continue to serve in his role as the Inspector General of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), providing leadership to both agencies until a permanent SSA Inspector General is appointed. The more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2024-ER-003) on Sept. 17, 2024, entitled "Progress in Management of Geospatial Data but Improvements Are Needed." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: Michael Brain, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science; Darren Ash, Chief Information Officer From: Nicki Miller, Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations Subject: Final Audit Report - The U. more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2022-WR-030) on Sept. 12, 2024, entitled "Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants Awarded to the State of California by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service From: Colleen Kotzmoyer, Director, Contract and Grant Audit Division Subject: Final Audit Report - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2023-CGD-023) on Sept. 19, 2024, entitled "Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants Awarded to the State of New Jersey by the Fish and Wildlife Service." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service From: Colleen Kotzmoyer, Director, Contract and Grant Audit Division Subject: Final Audit Report - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants Awar more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Oct. 3, 2024: * * * Largest Ever Criminal Enforcement Action Targeting Distributors of Pharmaceutical Opioids and Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs with Estimated Street Value of $1.3B * * * Charges against five pharmaceutical distributor executives and five pharmaceutical sales representatives and brokers have been unsealed in the Southern District of Texas, Southern District of Florida, Eastern Distr more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The founder and chief executive officer of a California-based company that marketed stem cell-based products allegedly linked to 19 hospitalizations was sentenced today to 36 months in prison following his conviction under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. John W. Kosolcharoen, 53, most recently of Orange County, California, pleaded guilty last month in the U.S. District Court for the Central Distr more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: An Illinois man pleaded guilty today for his role in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme. According to court documents, Zishan Alvi, 45, of Inverness, owned and operated a laboratory in Chicago that performed testing for COVID-19. From February 2021 through February 2022, Alvi caused claims to be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: Precision Toxicology, doing business as Precision Diagnostics, has agreed to pay $27 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and similar state statutes for billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests, and for providing free items to physicians who agreed to refer expensive laboratory testing business to Precision. Precisio more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Oct. 2, 2024: Former hospital chief executive officer (CEO) Jeffrey Madison, of Georgetown, Texas, has agreed to pay $5,343,630 to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act involving illegal payments to physicians for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Madison also has agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department's investigations of, and litigation against, other partic more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Oct. 2, 2024: * * * Sixth Individual Pleads Guilty in Ongoing Investigation of Collusion in Michigan-Area Asphalt Industry * * * A senior executive of a Michigan asphalt paving company pleaded guilty today for his role in two separate conspiracies to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in Michigan. According to court documents, David A. Coppola, vice president of Taylor-based Al's Asphalt Pa more PR

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release: United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TONYA DENISE BROWN ("BROWN"), age 48, of Tangipahoa Parish, a licensed practical nurse, has been charged on September 26, 2024 in a nine-count indictment. The indictment charges BROWN with four counts of wire fraud, with each count alleging a different scheme. In one alleged scheme, BROWN obtained money w more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-New York, issued the following news release: BUFFALO, NY Today, Congressmen Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and Timothy Kennedy (NY-26) visited the Buffalo VA Medical Center to meet with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal. "We want to thank Undersecretary Shereef Elnahal for meeting with us today and prioritizing the necessary changes at the Buffalo VA to ensure our heroes receive the care they deserve," sta more PR

LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Air Force Laughlin Air Force Base (47th Flying Training Wing) issued the following news: By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen, 47th Flying Training Wing Nine new master sergeants were welcomed into the senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) ranks during an induction ceremony on Sept. 27, 2024. The ceremony, observed the hard work of these Airmen and all the accomplishments yet to come in their new ranks. Guest speaker, Chief Master Sgt, Lester Largaespada, 47 more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Sept. 30 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Nine new master sergeants were welcomed into the senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) ranks during an induction ceremony on Sept. 27, 2024. The ceremony, observed the hard work of these Airmen and all the accomplishments yet to come in their new ranks. Guest speaker, Chief Master Sgt, Lester Largaespada, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief, reminisced on his time as a Master more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: First Psychiatric Planners, Inc. d/b/a Bournewood Health Systems and Bournewood Hospital (Bournewood) has agreed to pay at least $5.5 million and up to $6.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the federal and Massachusetts False Claims Acts. According to court documents, Bournewood provided free sober housing to substance use recovery patients enrolle more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: A Florida company, and two individuals associated with the company, have been charged and agreed to plead guilty to charges associated with shipping facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators, and price gouging hospitals, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. JDM Supply LLC (JDM) has been charged with one count of conspiracy to introduce mis more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: A Florida woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to defrauding a Massachusetts housing agency where she worked in 2022, along with defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with the pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Alihea Jones, 51, of Brandon, Fla., pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fra more PR

GREENBELT, Maryland, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release on Oct. 1, 2024: Today, federal inmate Jonathan Henry, age 32, was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $1,894,971 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, relating to the submission of fraudulent CARES Act unemployment insurance benefits. Henry's co-defenda more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release: Precision Toxicology, doing business as Precision Diagnostics, has agreed to pay $27 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and similar state statutes for billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests, and for providing free items to physicians who agreed to refer expensive laboratory  more PR

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Oct. 2 -- The U.S. Army Medicine issued the following news: By Daniel Mayberry FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA - Medical Readiness Command, Pacific (MRC, P) recently held its Senior Leaders Readiness Forum (SLRF) at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, September 16-20. The forum gathered senior command teams from across the Pacific region, following the framework of similar forums hosted by the Army's Chief of Staff and the Surgeon General of the Army. Commanding General Brig. Gen. Bill A. So more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in writing to the Postal Board of Governors to bring to their attention severe deficiencies in United States Postal Service (USPS) operations that risk the security of the mail and mail facilities and threaten the safety of po more PR

NEWARK, New Jersey, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Oct. 3, 2024: The chief executive officer of a construction company and a foreperson for the company were arrested today for their roles in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the Newark Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Michael Sawyer, 57, of Burlington, New Jersey, and Latronia Sanders, aka  more PR

NEWARK, New Jersey, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Oct. 1, 2024: A Florida woman today admitted fraudulently obtaining $465,489 in COVID-19 relief funding after submitting fraudulent applications to victim lenders, the U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Jane Batista, 43, of Lake Worth, Florida, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court to one count of wire fraud and one more PR

NEWARK, New Jersey, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Oct. 2, 2024: A Newark business owner today admitted bribing a former city official in exchange for that official's assistance in acquiring and redeveloping Newark-owned properties, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Irwin Sablosky, 64, of Springfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to two c more PR

ALBANY, New York, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York issued the following news release: Jodi Drygula, age 52, of Amsterdam, New York, and Anthony Camou, age 45, of Las Vegas, Nevada, have been indicted on mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud charges for fraudulently obtaining pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits in the names of other people. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, No more PR

NEW YORK, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release on Oct. 2, 2024: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARTIN HANDLER was sentenced today to 58 months in prison for defrauding the federal Head Start program, misappropriating over $1 million from his federally-funded childcare company, and tax evasion. HANDLER pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. R more PR

BROOKLYN, New York, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Earlier today, a complaint was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court charging Leon Wilson, a correctional officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC-Brooklyn), with willfully depriving an individual of his constitutional rights while acting under color of law. Last fall, Wilson, while on duty and driving a Bureau of Prisons (BOP)-issued mini more PR

ALBANY, New York, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York issued the following news release on Oct. 1, 2024: Anthony Luizzi, age 24, of Halfmoon, New York, was sentenced today to 210 months in prison, and to pay a $10,000 fine, for drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking of large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and his possession of more than 30 firearms. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, S more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (TNSres) -- The National Academy of Public Administration issued the following news release: * * * 42 new Fellows, leaders in Public Administration, will join the Academy this year. * * * The National Academy of Public Administration today announced that 42 leaders in the field of public administration have been selected for the 2024 Class of Academy Fellows. "The 2024 class of Academy Fellows reflects a wide range of professional experience, including dedicated civil ser more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The National Archives and Records Administration has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 1, 2024, entitled "Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments." ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed records schedules; request for comments. SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) publishes notice of certain Federal agency requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). We publish notice in the Fed more ST

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Maneesh Ailawadi, MD, has agreed to pay $45,000 plus interest to resolve False Claims Act allegations that he caused the submission of false claims by submitting inappropriate claims to Medicaid and Medicare by improperly billing esophagogastroduodenoscopies ("EGDs") on bariatric patients at t more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued a 25-page audit report on Sept. 19, 2024, entitled "Effectiveness of the New Regional Processing & Distribution Center in Portland." Here are excerpts: * * * Highlights Background The U.S. Postal Service is redesigning its network with the goal of creating a best-in-class mail and package processing network as part of its 10year strategic Delivering for America plan. The Postal Service plans to invest $40 billion to create a modernized n more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 -- The Progressive Policy Institute issued a 16-page white paper in September 2024 entitled "Closing the Digital Verification Divide." The white paper was written by Michael Mandel. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction In the internet era, the digitization of government is essential for the efficient and fair provision of public services. From faster access to unemployment benefits and food stamps to easier taxpayer retrieval of IRS tax records, digitization has the pot more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) is demanding a response from Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding a report that found nearly 300,000 migrant children disappeared from tracking. A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General found that over 300,000 migrant children under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement effectively disappeared from official radar. In a let more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Oct. 3, 2024: On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG) released a report, previously demanded by Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX), confirming the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows illegal immigrants to board U.S. flights without being properly vetted. Echoing Rep. Gooden's concerns, DHS OIG found TSA's weak screening procedures cannot ensure  more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina issued the following news release: Conduent State Healthcare, LLC, headquartered in New Jersey, has agreed to pay $11,358,767 to resolve False Claims Act allegations arising from Conduent's fraudulent reporting of call center performance metrics and false claims for payment to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). Two former employees of Conduent, Richard Kirchn more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Oct. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina issued the following news release: Jacob Liticker, 27, of Houston, Texas was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Liticker was charged in the District of South Carolina for his role in a national fraud scheme related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). During the height of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 -- Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: Recently, Senator Eric Schmitt, joined by 10 other Senate Republican colleagues, penned a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray regarding the recent audit conducted by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on the FBI's handling of child sexual abuse cases: "At a time of historically low trust in American institutions, the FBI continues to undermine its own credibility when it c more PR

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 24-page audit report (No. 072304) on Sept. 20, 2024, entitled "Disability Waiting Period Exclusions." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Martin O'Malley, Commissioner From: Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as Acting Inspector General Subject: Disability Waiting Period Exclusions The attached final report presents the results of the Office of Audit's r more PR

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 17-page audit report (No. 052403) on Sept. 17, 2024, entitled "Disabled Beneficiaries Receiving Direct Payments Who Previously Had Representative Payees." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Martin O'Malley, Commissioner From: Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as Acting Inspector General Subject: Disabled Beneficiaries Receiving Direct Payments Who Previo more PR

WOODLAWN, Maryland, Sept. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a 21-page audit report (No. 052402) on Sept. 18, 2024, entitled "Discrepancies in the Electronic Representative Payee System." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Martin O'Malley, Commissioner From: Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as Acting Inspector General Subject: Discrepancies in the Electronic Representative Payee System The attached final report pr more PR

MIAMI, Florida, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida remains a leader in COVID-19 pandemic relief prosecutions, holding a range of actors accountable for these crimes. Over this summer alone, the district has charged 17 individuals with COVID-19 relief fraud cases, with scheme amounts totaling over $21 million. In 2021, the Attorney General establis more PR

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Oct. 2 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee issued the following news release: Five former IRS employees were recently sentenced for defrauding federal COVID-19 relief programs. This case was brought as a part of an interagency effort to combat and prevent such fraud by federal employees. According to court documents, Brian Saulsberry, 48, of Memphis, was employed by the IRS as a Program Evaluation and Risk Analyst in the Human Capital O more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Charges have been unsealed as part of a larger enforcement action related to the unlawful distribution of nearly 70 million opioid pills and over 30 million doses of other commonly abused prescription drugs to alleged Houston-area pill-mill pharmacies. Three Houston-area pharmacy operators were also charged for their role in the schemes. Nine individuals have pleaded g more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-100-063) on Sept. 18, 2024, entitled "Former Contractor Employees Retained Access to IRS Facilities, Systems and Equipment." Here are excerpts: * * * HIGHLIGHTS Why TIGTA Did This Audit The IRS uses contractor employees to fill a variety of positions including those requiring staff-like access. The IRS uses HRConnect, the Department of the Treasury's human resour more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-300-051) on Sept. 17, 2024, entitled "Fiscal Year 2024 Mandatory Review of Disclosure of Collection Activity With Respect to Joint Returns." Here are excerpts: * * * HIGHLIGHTS Why TIGTA Did This Audit This audit was initiated because the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 requires TIGTA to annually review and certify the IRS's compliance with the requireme more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-400-062) on Sept. 17, 2024, entitled "The Information Collected by Online Providers and Shared With Third Parties Is Not Clearly Disclosed to Taxpayers and Is Unknown to the IRS." Here are excerpts: * * * HIGHLIGHTS Why TIGTA Did This Audit This audit was initiated as a follow-up to a prior TIGTA report that raised concerns over the consistency of suitability che more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 11301-0002-23) on Sept. 26, 2024, entitled "Agreed-Upon Procedures - Employee Benefits, Withholdings, Contributions and Supplemental Semiannual Headcount Reporting Submitted to the Office of Personnel Management for Fiscal 2024." Here are excerpts: * * * OBJECTIVES To assist OPM in assessing the reasonableness of retirement, health benefits, and life insurance withholdings and contribution more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 50501-0027-12) on Sept. 25, 2024, entitled "Compliance With the Geospatial Data Act for Fiscal 2024." Here are excerpts: * * * OBJECTIVE We determined USDA's compliance with the requirements of the covered agency responsibilities specific to subsection 759(a) of the Act. REVIEWED We reviewed USDA NGDA datasets and guidance and interviewed applicable personnel to determine USDA's compli more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 50801-0001-22) on Sept. 24, 2024, entitled "Enhancing Working Lands' Resilience and Productivity." Here are excerpts: * * * OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine whether USDA Climate Hubs developed metrics to measure how the Hubs achieve its goal to enhance working lands' resilience and productivity. REVIEWED We reviewed the one measure presented in USDA's annual performance plan fo more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 1, 2024, entitled "Succession, Delegations of Authority, and Signature Authorities." SUMMARY: On August 1, 2024, pursuant to the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 and the Inspector General (IG) Act of 1978, as amended, USDAIG Phyllis K. Fong issued IG-1313, Change 9, Succession, Delegations of Authority, and Signature Authorities. This directive more ST

WHEELING, West Virginia, Oct. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2024: Hetzon Marroquin Reyes, owner and operator of A&M Homes, LLC, in Morgantown, West Virginia, was arrested today on charges involving the harboring and concealing of persons who were not citizens and unlawfully in the United States, announced United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. According to the filed indictment unsealed today, Re more PR