WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 [Category: Political] -- America First Legal, a civil rights organization, issued the following news release: Today, America First Legal (AFL) opened an investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials who apparently engaged in a pattern and practice of withholding federal Hurricanes Helene and Milton disaster relief from homeowners with Trump signs. The government may not constitutionally deprive a citizen of his or her First Amendment rights in e more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 [Category: Political] -- America First Legal, a civil rights organization, issued the following news release: Today, America First Legal (AFL) launched an investigation to determine the role of former FBI Deputy Director and Loudoun County resident Andy McCabe and his wife Jill McCabe, advisor to the Loudoun County School Board, in Attorney General Merrick Garland's October 4th, 2021 memo that mobilized federal counter-terrorism resources against concerned parents speaking u more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) today introduced the Disaster Housing Reform for American Families Act to improve temporary housing available to disaster victims after a storm. The bill instructs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to construct disaster-resilient housing within 90 days that can be used to transi more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Nov. 29, 2024, from the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico and 16 collaborators: * * * To: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS 1808-IFC P.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-8013 RE: Ongoing Work to End the Downward Spiral in Medicare  more ST

DENVER, Colorado, Dec. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado issued the following news release: The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced that Monica Preston, N.P., has agreed to pay $90,000 to resolve allegations that she unlawfully prescribed controlled substances, including dangerous opioids and drug combinations, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act. The United States alleges that Ms. Preston, while more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled has released the following public communication on Dec. 4, 2024, from the NCSE/NAEPB Compliance Advisory Council: * * * Notice of Information Collection; Request for Comments Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, Comments on the Participating Employee Information (PEI) Form * * * The NCSE/NAEPB Compliance Council is an informal advisory group advising the U.S. Abi more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release: Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) led a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland investigating the Biden-Harris administration's establishment of government-wide scientific integrity committees with the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12469) on Dec. 9, 2024, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Syria: Regime Change, Transition and U.S. Policy Rapid offensives by Syrian armed groups opposed to the government of Bashar Al Asad (alt. Assad) forced Asad's resignation and exile to Russia on December 8, 2024. This inflection point in Syria's post-2011 civil war mar more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: Today Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), a former Army Ranger who serves as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability, voted to pass this year's National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA), which included key priorities he championed to bolster military readiness, improve the lives of US servicemembers and their families in Colorado, a more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2024: Evaluation Today, Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the report, "Evaluation of Accountability Controls for Seaports of Debarkation in the U.S. European Command Area of Responsibility." The evaluation examined whether the U.S. European Command was effectively scaling, sta more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: Evaluation Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the report "Follow-Up Evaluation of Enhanced End-Use Monitoring of Defense Articles Provided to Ukraine." The evaluation is the fifth in an ongoing series to determine the extent to which the DoD conducts enhanced end-us more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-New York, issued the following news release: Congressman Kennedy (NY-26), during a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing, secured recognition from Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, that the Buffalo VA Medical Center ought to be replaced by a new hospital. During the hearing, Congressman Kennedy summarized the challenges facing the Buffalo VA Medical Center that Under Secretary Elnahal wi more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: Luanda, Angola -Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis travelled to Angola last week with President Joe Biden to further strengthen the U.S.-Angola partnership. The delegation brought together high-level government officials and industry leaders to celebrate strategic investments in Angola that support a more sustainable futur more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Bipartisan Senators Request Defense Department Inspector General Investigate DOD Multibillion-Dollar Wireless Contracts with Major Phone Networks, Despite Known Cyber Weaknesses, Threatening National Security * * * U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., called for the Defense Department's top watchdog to investigate the Pentagon's failure to secure its communications from foreig more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release: U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., age 64, Arnold, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, six months of home detention, and a $20,000 fine, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a multi-state dogfighting conspiracy. In addition to the fine, Judge Bennett ordered Moorefield to pay a for more PR

AUGUSA, Georgia, Dec. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia issued the following news release: A Richmond County woman has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for defrauding a COVID-19 small business relief program. Kameka Bausley, 43, of Augusta, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty to Wire Fraud, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The Government Accountability Project issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2024: Today, Government Accountability Project filed a new complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) following revelations that EPA's lead official in East Palestine acknowledged Norfolk Southern's environmental contractors present data in ways that minimize the company's liability. In a legally recorded conversation from August 2024, EPA  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), today issued a statement on the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) report regarding DOJ's covert collection of congressional members and staffers' communications records, including former members of his own investigative staff. Grassley last year urged DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz to "leave no stone unturned" in his review of DOJ congressio more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSrep) -- The General Services Administration Inspector General issued the following memorandum (No. A240070) on Oct. 31, 2024, entitled "PBS Does Not Have Complete and Accurate Asbestos Information for the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington, D.C." Here are excerpts: * * * TO: ELLIOT DOOMES, COMMISSIONER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS SERVICE (P) FROM: R. NICHOLAS GOCO, ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDITING (JA) SUBJECT: Assessment of a Hotline Complaint: PBS Does Not Have  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSrep) -- The General Services Administration Inspector General issued the following audit report on Nov. 15, 2024, entitled "Independent Auditors' Report on the Administration's Financial Statements - Fiscal 2024 and 2023:" * * * TO: ROBIN CARNAHAN, ADMINISTRATOR (A) NIMISHA AGARWAL, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (B) FROM: ROBERT C. ERICKSON, DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL (J) SUBJECT: Independent Auditors' Report U.S. General Services Administration's Financial Statements - Fisca more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSrep) -- The General Services Administration Inspector General issued the following audit report on Nov. 20, 2024, entitled "Independent Performance Audit on the Effectiveness of the Information Security Program and Practices Report - Fiscal 2024." Here are excerpts: * * * Executive Summary Why We Performed This Audit The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requires federal agencies, including the United States General Services Administration more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSrep) -- The General Services Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. A210053) on Oct. 29, 2024, entitled "PBS Needs to Strengthen Its Training and Warranting Programs for Contracting Officers." Here are excerpts: * * * Table of Contents Introduction ... 1 Results Finding 1 - PBS did not fully implement the corrective actions to ensure contracting officers receive adequate specialized training ... 3 Finding 2 - PBS did not fully implement th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General issued a notice of availability in the Federal Register on Nov. 29, 2024, entitled "General Compliance Program Guidance; Industry Segment-Specific Compliance Program Guidance for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities; Resources for Industry". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: OIG is announcing the availability of the following resources for industry: General Compliance Program Gui more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families issued a notice in the Federal Register on Dec. 4, 2024, entitled "Office of Child Care; Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has made minor adjustments to the organization of the Office of Child Care (OCC) by adding a new Regional Operations Division. Impacted sta more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following report on December 4, 2024, by the ASPE Office of Health Policy entitled "No Surprises Act Drug Pricing Report to Congress." Here are excerpts: * * * Prescription drug prices are a top concern for policymakers and the public, but little data is available on prescription drug prices or other costs that contribute to premiums for commercial drug coverage. To address the gap in data on availabil more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 10, 2024: House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) delivered remarks today at a hearing on "Oversight of the U.S. Postal Service." Chairman Comer credited Postmaster General Louis DeJoy with delivering a plan to fix the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) but expressed concerns that USPS continues to lose money. H more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 --The House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-739) on the College Cost Reduction Act (H.R. 6951), which aims to lower the cost of postsecondary education for students and families. The report was advanced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, on Nov. 18, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 4 of 6) H.R. 6951 Guts Federal Accountability Framework, Leaving Students and Taxpayers Vulnerable RISK SHARING AGREEMENTS H.R. 6951 proposes a risk-shar more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a full committee hearing on the failures of the Biden-Harris administration's deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan. - Chairman McCaul's Questioning - Chairman McCaul: "Mr. Secretary, in September of this year, your State Department's inspector g more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) today chaired a hearing titled, "Examining the Policies and Priorities of AmeriCorps and Its FY 2024 Audit Failure," and offered the following statement, as prepared for delivery: "It is truly a gr more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 10, 2024: Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), released the following letter he sent to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough regarding VA's overall strategy - to include funding for mental health - on the prevention of veteran suicide and the delivery of mental health care, support, and servic more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly scheming with a California man to fraudulently obtain more than $6.3 million in small business loans and grants under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). FRANCESCO DISTEFANO, 28, of Addison, Ill., and SARGIS URUMIEH, 57, of Glendale, Calif., alleg more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following report (No. 2023-ISP-036) on Dec. 4, 2024, entitled "The Department Should Take Action to Fully Implement Its Enterprise Risk Management Capability." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: Deb Haaland, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior Laura Daniel-Davis, Acting Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior From: Mark Lee Greenblatt, Inspector General Subject: Final Inspection Report - The U.S. Depart more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2024-CGD-016) on Dec. 3, 2024, entitled "Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants Awarded to the State of North Carolina, Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries, 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 Subj more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The Independent Women's Forum issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: Today, Independent Women's Forum released the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate vote on Lauren McFerran chairing the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for another term. Senators voted 50 to 49 to strike down her confirmation. Patrice Onwuka, director of the Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) at Independent Women's Forum, issued the following statement: "We applaud e more PR

ABINGDON, Virginia, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia issued the following news release: * * * Former McKinsey Senior Partner Charged with Obstruction of Justice McKinsey Will Pay $650 Million, Cease Work Relating to Controlled Substances and Implement Significant New Compliance Measures * * * McKinsey & Company Inc. (McKinsey), a global management consulting firm based in New York, has agreed to pay $650 million to resolve a criminal and civil  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: A former scheduler of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) at an Illinois nursing and rehabilitation facility pleaded guilty in federal court to fraud charges in connection with the hiring and payment of "ghost" employees who never actually worked at the facility. Alisha Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, in the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Dec. 10, 2024: * * * Defendant Operated an "Off-the-Books" Payroll and Caused Over $2M Loss to IRS * * * A Massachusetts man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for an employment tax scheme and making a false statement at an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hearing. According to court documents and statements made in court, Mauricio Baiense, formerly of Quincy, owned and ope more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: A former Florida-based employee of TD Bank N.A. was arrested and charged by criminal complaint yesterday for facilitating money laundering to Colombia through the financial institution. According to court documents, Leonardo Ayala, 24, worked at a TD Bank store in Doral, Florida, between February and November 2023. Starting in June 2023, Ayala allegedly exploited his position as a bank emp more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: * * * Defendant Impersonated Federal Agent and an Attorney to Perpetrate $3.5M Fraud * * * A Salt Lake City man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, impersonating a federal officer, aggravated identity theft and making false statements. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2018 through 2020, Santiago Garcia Gutierrez defrauded a victim of more than $2.8 million more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General issued the following report (No. 25-009) on Dec. 11, 2024, entitled "Inspection of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Federal Medical Center Devens." Here are excerpts: * * * Executive Summary Our unannounced inspection identified several serious issues at FMC Devens related to staffing, inmate healthcare quality, infrastructure, inmate programming, failure to complete rounds, and radio system deficiencies. Notably, more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General issued the following review (No. 25-010) on Dec. 10, 2024, entitled "Issuance of Compulsory Process to Obtain Records of Members of Congress, Congressional Staffers and Members of the News Media." Here are excerpts: * * * Executive Summary In the spring and summer of 2017, CNN.com (CNN), The New York Times, and The Washington Post published articles containing classified information, some of which was classified more PR

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Dec. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release: A four-count indictment was unsealed today charging Hang Sun, also known as Cody Sun, with conspiracy, wire fraud, smuggling, and a violation of the Arms Export Control Act for his role in an illegal scheme to send export-controlled defense-related technical data to China and to unlawfully supply the Department of Defense (DOD) with Chinese-origin rare earth m more PR

LONDON, Kentucky, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued the following news release on Dec. 12, 2024: A former Manchester Police Department officer, Shawn Curry, 36, was sentenced on Wednesday, to 18 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for deprivation of rights under color of law. According to his plea agreement, on September 3, 2021, Curry was on duty and acting as a police officer with the Manchester Police Department. He and  more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Dec. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release: After a four day trial, a federal jury found Ryan E. Dales, age 36, guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. The verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge William  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 -- The Merit Systems Protection Board issued the following case report for Dec. 13, 2024: * * * BOARD DECISIONS Appellant: Janie Young Agency: Department of Homeland Security Decision Number: 2024 MSPB 18 Docket Number: DE-1221-18-0335-W-2 Issuance Date: December 10, 2024 RETALIATORY INVESTIGATIONS The appellant filed an IRA appeal, alleging that her 15-day suspension and reassignment were reprisal for protected whistleblowing. She further alleged that it was a retal more PR

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release: * * * Stefano Maroni Admits Paycheck Protection Program Loan and Forgiveness Applications Misrepresented and Inflated Payroll and Employee Headcounts * * * Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, the Special Agent in Charge of the Eastern Regional Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration more PR

BROOKLYN, New York, Dec. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release: * * * Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad Operated a Pill Mill Out of Her Great Neck Office * * * A federal jury in Central Islip returned a guilty verdict today against Roya Jafari-Hassad, a medical doctor with a practice in Great Neck, Long Island, on eight counts of a second superseding indictment charging her with prescribing oxycodone pills without a legitimate medic more PR

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release: * * * In the Third Trial Following a 70-Person Takedown in February 2024, Corey Gilmore, a Former New York City Housing Authority Superintendent, was Convicted of Bribery and Extortion for Accepting Cash from NYCHA Contractors in Exchange for Awarding Contracts * * * Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Core more PR

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release: * * * Defendants Admit Violations and Agree to Pay $6.5 Million in Penalties and Restitution and to Undertake Broad Remediation of Their Housing Portfolio * * * Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Lisa F. Garcia, the Regional Administrator for Region 2 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"); Matthew Ammon, th more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: A new report from the Inspector General of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) found that up to $250 million in taxpayer dollars will be returned to the American people as a result of the investigation efforts of U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. These tax dollars wrongfully paid for dead people on union more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, issued the following news release: Sen. Ossoff awarded Carl Levin Award for Effective Oversight, recognizing Sen. Ossoff's work investigating corruption and civil rights abuses Since taking office, Sen. Ossoff has led bipartisan investigations into corruption and civil rights abuses WATCH/DOWNLOAD: Video footage of award ceremony remarksThis is an external link WATCH/DOWNLOAD: Video B-roll of award ceremonyThis is an external link Senator J more PR

MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma issued the following news release: The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Leslie Shannon Mack, age 54, of Hulbert, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of 12 months and one day imprisonment for one count of Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds. As part of the sentence, the Court ordered Mack to pay $372,808.09 in restitution. The charge  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-148-1-R25) on Dec. 4, 2024, entitled "Corryville Station, Cincinnati, Ohio: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service's mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-147-R25) on Dec. 4, 2024, entitled "Efficiency of Operations at the Cincinnati Processing and Distribution Center and Network Distribution Center, Cincinnati, Ohio." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service needs effective and productive operations to fulfill its mission of providing prompt, reliable, and affordable mail service to the American public. It has  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-148-2-R25) on Dec. 4, 2024, entitled "Fairfield Branch, Fairfield, Ohio: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service's mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OI more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-148-3-R25) on Dec. 4, 2024, entitled "Mid City Cincinnati Carrier Annex, Cincinnati, Ohio: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service's mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Ins more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-148) on Dec. 5, 2024, entitled "Ohio 2 District: Delivery Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * During the week of September 9, 2024, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Cincinnati Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and Network Distribution Center (NDC) and three delivery units serviced by the P&DC and NDC. The delivery units included the Corryville Station, Fairfie more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Budzinski pressed DeJoy about his "Delivering for America Plan," which proposes consolidating the Champaign and Springfield Processing and Distribution Centers in Illinois. This would result in outgoing mail traveling all the wa more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan, and Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) introduced the Sunsetting the Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) Act, bipartisan legislation to responsibly sunset the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) by January 31, 2026. Although SIGAR has conducted robust oversight of U. more PR

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 9 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class James Long, 26th Network Operations Squadron vulnerability management technician, was awarded the 26th Cyberspace Operations Group Commander's Coin. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class James Long, 26th Network Operations Squadron vulnerability management technician, poses for a photo at Gunter Annex, Ala, Dec. 3, 2024. Long re more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission Inspector General issued the following report (No. 584) on Nov. 25, 2024, entitled "Fiscal 2024 Independent Evaluation of the Implementation of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014." Here are excerpts: * * * M E M O R A N D U M TO: Kenneth Johnson, Chief Operating Officer FROM: Rebecca L. Sharek, Deputy Inspector General for Audits, Evaluations, and Special Projects SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2024 Indepen more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: At a Senate Committee on Rules and Administration hearing titled "Oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police," U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over Capitol Police, led the discussion with testimony from Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Tom Manger about the progress made since Manger was appointed Chief in July 2021 and the Departme more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following remarks: * * * As Prepared for Delivery The Finance Committee meets this morning to vote on the nomination of David Johnson to serve as Inspector General for Tax Administration. First, on Mr. Johnson's background. This is a non-partisan, down-the-middle nominee for a position that requires exactly that type of individual. Mr. Johnson currently serves as the Assistant Inspector Ge more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at an executive session to vote on the nomination of David Johnson to be Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). As prepared for delivery: "Mr. Johnson has been nominated to serve as Inspector General for Tax Administration at the Department of the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. released the following statement after the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would speed up access to quality care for seniors by streamlining prior authorization under Medicare Advantage, received over 500 health care and patient advocacy organizations endorsement: "Our bipartisan, Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: Topeka, KS U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. is pleased to announce a direct result for Winchester from his request in last week's Senate hearing with the Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). For months Senator Marshall has pushed the USPS to approve the lease for this facility, following his persistence and advocacy, the USPS has finalized the lease agreement to construct a new post office more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with Oceans Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Ranking Member Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced bipartisan legislation that would authorize $30.45 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026. " more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Dec. 12 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: The Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) concluded National Aviation Week on November 12 with a special presentation that highlighted the Air Force's legacy and the significance of the Air Force Memorial. The presenter was Col. Cardell Richardson, Sr., USAF (Ret.), a distinguished member of AFA's D.W. Steele, Sr. Chapter and the inspector general for the Depart more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, Dec. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 52-year-old Pearland man has agreed to pay $948,359.85 to resolve allegations he submitted false claims for the surgical implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Dr. Basem Hamid is a neurologist and pain medicine doctor who practices in Houston. Basem Hamid MD PA is an entity Hamid used to conduct his medical practice. more PR

STUTTGART-MOEHRINGEN, Germany, Dec. 11 -- The U.S. Africa Command issued the following news release: BANGUI, Central African Republic (CAR) - U.S. Africa Command's Office of Inspector General (IG) and Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) took part in a professional military exchange with the Central African Republic's armed forces Inspector General, Dec. 5-6, in Bangui. The office falls under the country's Ministry of Defence. The U.S. visit began with meetings on Dec. 4. U.S. Ambassador to the Centr more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release: A Maryland man was sentenced to prison today after he was previously convicted of assaulting law enforcement and other offenses during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Adam Ryan Obest, 4 more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Sen. Tina Flint Smith, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: MINNEAPOLIS, MN Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) sent a letter pressing Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for answers on recent mail delays across Minnesota, particularly in the Rochester area. The follow-up comes after both Senators led the entire Minnesota and North Dakota Congressional delegations in a bipartisan letter pressing the Postmaster General to improve service fol more PR

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dec. 13 -- The European Investment Bank issued the following news release: The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in combating potential fraud and corruption involving European Union-backed investments in Ukraine. Signed by EIB Inspector General Monique Koning, General Counsel Jose Maria Fernandez Martin and Deputy Director of the SBI Oleksandr Sokolov during a visit more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - incoming chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) - chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - called for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to prioritize accountability in VA's annual executive appraisal cycle after recent mismanagement of  more PR

RICHMOND, Virginia, Dec. 14 -- Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2024: Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced McKinsey & Co. has agreed to pay $650 million in a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a federal criminal investigation into its consulting work advising Purdue Pharma on how to increase sales of its addictive opioid drug OxyContin. This resolution marks the first time a management consulting firm has been he more PR

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Dec. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2024: A federal grand jury returned an 18-count indictment yesterday charging Michael David Barker, 47, of Foster, with mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and money laundering. The indictment was unsealed today following Barker's arrest by law enforcement officers. The indictme more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) sent a letter to Dr. Mehmet Oz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), raising stark concerns about his advocacy to eliminate Traditional Medicare and his deep financial ties to the private health in more PR

SPOKANE, Washington, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington issued the following news release: Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Pavel Ivanovich Turlak, and his Spokane-based trucking companies; PT Express, LLC, Spokane Truck Service, LLC, and Pauls Trans, LLC pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally violate Clean Air Act emissions controls and to fraudulently obtaining hundreds more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news: Pressley Shares Constituent Letters Detailing Harmful Impact of Service Failures in Massachusetts 7th Video (YouTube) In a House Oversight Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) discussed the essential role that the United States Postal Service (USPS) plays in our communities and questioned USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about the widespread delays and service failures that have sev more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: This week, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to give Louisianans relief from skyrocketing flood insurance premiums, released a discussion draft for his Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production, and highlighted a report that found his investigative efforts returned up to $375 million in taxpayer dollars to the  more PR

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Dec. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued the following news release: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 3, 2024, Zund America, Inc., a corporation located in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, agreed to pay $2,300,825 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which i more PR