CHICAGO, Illinois, April 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: The owner of Chicago-area child care centers has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for scheming to fraudulently obtain more than $3.3 million in State of Illinois subsidies designed to help low-income families afford child care. ALEESHA McDOWELL owned child care providers A&A Kiddy Kollege Inc. in Calumet City, Ill., A&A Kiddy Kollege 2 in Calumet  more PR

TUCSON, Arizona, April 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona issued the following news release: Carlos Victor Passapera Pinott, 56, of Buckeye, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Passapera pleaded guilty to Bribery of a Public Official and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Heroin on June 23, 2023. On August 9, 2020, while  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: During a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing yesterday on improving care and resources for women veterans, Chairman Jon Tester questioned a panel of woman veterans and advocates, including Dr. Alissa Engel, a Montana veteran and mental health provider, on his Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act--bipartisan legislation that would expand the evidentiary standard for military sexual tr more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: During a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing yesterday on improving care and resources for women veterans, Chairman Jon Tester questioned a panel of woman veterans and advocates, including Dr. Alissa Engel, a Montana veteran and mental health provider, on his Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act--bipartisan legislation that would expand the more PR

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 11 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release: Members of the House Appropriations Committee joined House Republican Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) to discuss a bill package called "Back to Basics." These bills aim to assist state government in performing its basic and essential tasks. "Throughout the 2024 budget hearings, we heard from many agencies who are failing at their basic tasks," Grove said. "Our committee kept more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Georgia, issued the following news release: Legislation led by Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND-AL) overhauling the federal prison system was marked up and approved yesterday by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. The Federal Prison Oversight Act establishes new, independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL more PR

WASHINGTON, April 13 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management issued the following news release on April 12, 2024: The Department of the Interior today announced a final rule to revise the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) oil and gas leasing regulations, which will ensure a balanced approach to development, provide a fair return to taxpayers, and help keep drilling activities from conflicting with the protection of important wildlife habitat or cultural sites.  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Devex: New bill aims to give DFC watchdog law enforcement power Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Enhancing Development Finance Corporation Oversight Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that would grant law enforcement authority to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in order to improve more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following enforcement news release: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced Christopher L. Skinner has been appointed CFTC's Inspector General (IG). Mr. Skinner brings 15 years of IG experience, including leading and managing Offices of Inspector's General (OIG), and conducting investigations, inspections, and audits. Mr. Skinner comes to the CFTC from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) where he se more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced Christopher L. Skinner has been appointed CFTC's Inspector General (IG). Mr. Skinner brings 15 years of IG experience, including leading and managing Offices of Inspector's General (OIG), and conducting investigations, inspections, and audits. Mr. Skinner comes to the CFTC from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) where  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) Senators Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, and Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), are cosponsoring a bipartisan bill to better protect service members from the physical and cognitive dangers of shockwaves produced by explosive weapons used both in combat and in training. The Blas more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of the Inspector General issued the following memorandum on April 3, 2024, regarding the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act administrative funds: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration FROM: Arthur L. Scott, Jr., Assistant Inspector General for Audit and Evaluation SUBJECT: Audit o more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of the Inspector General issued the following memorandum on April 9, 2024, regarding the status report on the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act Programs: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Laurie E. Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Nationa more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 (TNSrep) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-017-I) on March 27, 2024, entitled "Independent Program Evaluation of National Institute of Standards and Technology Pandemic Relief Program." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Dr. Laurie E. Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology FROM: Arthur L. Scott, Jr., Assistant Inspector General for Audit a more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 (TNSrep) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-018-I) on April 4, 2024, entitled "Independent Program Evaluation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Pandemic Relief Program." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Dr. Richard W. Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration FROM: Arthur L. Scott, Jr., Assistant Inspector G more PR

FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey, April 12 -- Conduent, a business process services and solutions company, issued the following news release: Conduent Incorporated (Nasdaq: CNDT), a global technology-led business solutions and services company, has implemented technologies for the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) to help combat fraud and further enhance the security of the state's Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program. In South Carolina and other states, EBT fraud targeting the more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12346) on April 5, 2024, by Ben Wilhelm, government organization and management analyst: * * * The Government Spending Oversight Act and the Future of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee On March 21, 2024, Chairman Gary Peters and Senator Mitt Romney of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs introduced S. 4036, the Government Spending Oversight Act o more PR

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, April 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut issued the following news release on April 11, 2024: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VICTOR RODRIGUEZ-GOMEZ, also known as "Calami," 49, of Desert Hot Springs, California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 156 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking l more PR

WASHINGTON, April 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release on April 12, 2024: Ndubuisi Joseph Okafor, M.D., 64, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged in U.S. District Court yesterday on a 29-count count superseding indictment for illegally distributing prescriptions for narcotics in exchange for cash. According to court documents, Okafor allegedly distributed oxycodone and promethazine with codeine to individuals outside the usual c more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: * * * Warns Of Surge In "New Client" Scams * * * As part of the Dirty Dozen tax scams effort, the Internal Revenue Service today urged tax professionals and other businesses to remain vigilant and protect themselves against a continuing barrage of email spearfishing attempts designed to steal valuable information. Tax professionals and businesses present more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a meeting notice, published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2024. The meeting by the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion is scheduled for May 2-3, 2024. The notice was issued by Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer. * * * SUMMARY: DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Incl more ST

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The Transportation Inspector General issued the following audit announcement on April 9, 2024, entitled "Audit Initiated of the National Transportation Safety Board's Financial Statements for Fiscal 2024 and 2023:" * * * To: The Honorable Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board, 490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20594 Dear Chair Homendy: In accordance with the Accountability of Tax Dollars Act of 2002, we are initiating an audit of the Natio more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The Transportation Inspector General issued the following audit announcement on April 10, 2024, entitled "FRA's Oversight of the Roadway Worker Protection Regulation:" * * * From: David Pouliott, Assistant Inspector General for Surface Transportation Audits To: Federal Railroad Administrator In August 2023, a railroad track maintenance machine struck and killed a roadway worker blowing leaves on the same track in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. As there are tens of t more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)--a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)--secured support from U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin for a proposal she plans to push strongly to be included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at improving DoD medical re more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senators Gary Peters?(D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced legislation to address historic levels of fraud within federal funds that were passed to help Americans through the COVID-19 pandemi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency received the following public communication dated March 22, 2024: * * * To: Timothy Thomas Office of Transportation and Air Quality Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460 Re: Comment Request: Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program (Renewal) Dear Mr. Thomas: The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) respectfully submits this comment in response to the Environmental Protection Agency more ST

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is asking anyone having difficulty getting timely assistance or even a callback from government agencies, including civil servants themselves, to share their stories with her. In a speech on the Senate floor today, she highlighted a number of whistleblower stories exposing how President Biden has turned D.C. into a ghost town and what she is doing to get bureaucrats back to their old  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- 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) President and Chair of the Board of Directors Reta Jo Lewis today announced that the EXIM Board of Directors of the United States (EXIM) last week approved a historic $156.6 million loan to Ukrainian Railways to support the potential acquisition of 40 Wabtec diesel locomotives during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukra more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration received the following public communication dated April 8, 2024: * * * BEFORE THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. In the Matter of: Falsification, Reproduction, Alteration Omission, or Incorrect Statements Docket No.: FAA-2024-0021 COMMENTS OF AIRLINES FOR AMERICA Airlines for America ("A4A"), on behalf of its members,1 submits these comments in r more ST

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: Filing False FEMA Applications May Lead to Criminal Charges LANSING, Mich. - If you apply for FEMA Assistance and purposely claim disaster damage that never happened, you you may be charged with a serious crime. FEMA must make sure taxpayer dollars go only to Michigan homeowners and renters in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: Today, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Enhancing Development Finance Corporation Oversight Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that would grant law enforcement authority to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in order to improve oversight and accountability of U.S. foreign aid progra more PR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, April 12 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following news release on April 11, 2024: Attorney General Ashley Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit today announced the arrest of Ira Roberts for financially exploiting an elderly Escambia resident. According to the MFCU investigation, Roberts systematically took more than $17,000 from the senior's bank account over an 18-month period, spending the funds on personal bills and purchases from DoorDash, Netflix, A more PR

MIAMI, Florida, April 12 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release: On April 10, a substance abuse facility owner was sentenced to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,444,417.65 in restitution, for defrauding the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) of over $4 million. The sentence comes after the defendant entered a guilty plea in February. Joseph T more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-18-22-09010) on March 28, 2024, entitled "Alabama Management Information Systems and Eligibility and Enrollment System Security Controls Were Adequate, but Some Improvements Are Needed" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit We are conducting a series of audits of State Medicaid Management Informa more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. OEI-06-22-00030) on Jan. 9, 2024, entitled "CDC Has Improved the Nursing Homes Reporting Process for COVID-19 Data in NHSN, but Challenges Remain" filed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief KEY TAKEAWAY The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) struggled to support nursing homes during mass enrollment into the Nati more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-02-22-01007) on March 28, 2024, entitled "New Jersey Significantly Improved Its Oversight of Medicaid Adult Partial Care Services Except for Those Provided Using Telehealth During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit During a prior audit of Medicaid adult pa more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-04-21-01021) on March 27, 2024, entitled "The Thailand Ministry of Public Health Managed PEPFAR Funds According to Federal Regulations but Internal Controls Could Be Improved" filed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit Congress authorized the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to rece more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General posted the following advisory opinion (No. No. 24-02) on April 11, 2024: * * * Favorable opinion regarding patient assistance funds operated by a nonprofit, tax exempt charitable organization. * * * [We redact certain identifying information and certain potentially privileged, confidential, or proprietary information, unless otherwise approved by the requestor(s).] Issued: April 8, 2024 Posted: April 11, 2024 [Addres more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the United States House of Representatives" at 9 a.m. on April 17, 2024, at HT-2 Capitol: Witnesses * Mr. E. Wade Ballou Jr., Legislative Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives * Mr. Matthew Barry, General Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives * The Honorable Kevin F. McCumber, Acting Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives * more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following opening remarks at today's subcommittee hearing on ensuring patients continue to have the choice whether to go to a doctor in person or use telehealth when appropriate and more convenient for them. "Today we're here to examine l more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Florida, issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: On Wednesday, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability passed the FEHB Protection Act of 2024, introduced by U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-06) to stop fraud within the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the country - the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The FEHB Protection Act of 2024 codifies recommendations from the Government Accou more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Brian Babin, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, issued the following opening statement at a hearing on March 21, 2024, entitled "Advancing Scientific Discovery: Assessing the Status of NASA's Science Mission Directorate": * * * Opening Statement of Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman at Advancing Scientific Discovery: Assessing the Status of NASA's Science Mission Directorate 118th Congress Hearing Rese more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics issued the following testimony by NASA Acting Inspector General George A. Scott involving a hearing on March 21, 2024, entitled "Advancing Scientific Discovery: Assessing the Status of NASA's Science Mission Directorate": * * * Chairman Babin, Ranking Member Sorensen, and Members of the Subcommittee: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is committed to providing independent, objective, and co more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health issued the following testimony by Jon Retzer, assistant national legislative director, of the Disabled American Veterans, involving a hearing on March 21, 2024, on veterans-related legislation: * * * Chairwoman Miller-Meeks, Ranking Member Brownley and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for inviting DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to testify at today's legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Health. DAV, a Congr more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations issued the following testimony by John W. Boerstler, chief veterans experience officer of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness, involving a hearing on March 21, 2024, on legislation affecting VA administrations and program offices: * * * Good afternoon, Chairwoman Kiggans, Ranking Member Mrvan, and Members of the S more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health issued the following testimony by Ajit Pai, executive director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services, on behalf of the Veterans Health Administration, involving a hearing on March 21, 2024, on legislation affecting VA programs and services: * * * Good afternoon, Madam Chair, Ranking Member Brownley, and other Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting us here more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 12 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to increase patient safety at state run mental health or developmental disability facilities, State Senator Laura Fine passed Senate Bill 857. This legislation increases the Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) ability to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect. "Since 2022, I have visited state-operated mental health and developmental disability facilities across the state to recei more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (Central States) has entered into a civil settlement agreement pursuant to which it has agreed to repay more than $126.5 million in excess funds that it received from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) in connection with the PBGC's Special Financial Assistance Program. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the Special F more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (Central States) has entered into a civil settlement agreement pursuant to which it has agreed to repay more than $126.5 million in excess funds that it received from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) in connection with the PBGC's Special Financial Assistance Program. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the Special F more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: The Justice Department's COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (CFETF) today released its 2024 report detailing the efforts of the task force and its member agencies in response to widespread fraud involving many COVID-19 relief programs targeted by fraudsters and other criminals who sought to exploit the government's relief efforts for their personal gain. "Since I established t more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act (FCA) against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Regeneron), a New York-based pharmaceutical company. Regeneron manufactures and sells Eylea, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat, among other conditions, neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration, a prevalent, usually age-rela more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: An indictment was unsealed today charging David Campbell, also known as Viejo Dan and Don David, 57, of Honduras, one of the principal narcotics and weapons suppliers to MS-13 in Honduras, with racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses. Campbell was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court after being extradited yesterday from Honduras.  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: A Louisiana woman pleaded guilty today to theft of public money in connection with a scheme to misappropriate over $780,000 from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. According to court documents, Melissa J. Watson, of Slidell, operated a primary care clinic. Following the onset of the COVID-19  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General issued the following report (No. 24-058) on March 27, 2024, entitled "Recommendations Issued by OIG That Were Not Closed as of Feb. 29, 2024." Here are excerpts: * * * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The attached report contains information about recommendations from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) audits, evaluations, reviews, and other reports that the OIG had not closed as of Februar more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined twelve of his colleagues, led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), in introducing the Blast Overpressure Safety Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would direct the Department of Defense (DOD) to enact new measures to help mitigate and protect se more PR

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 9 -- The Kenya Human Rights Commission issued the following agency statement on April 8, 2024: * * * Busia Senator and comrade Okiya Omtatah has during the last 20 years faced many attacks for his strong opposition to the gross injustices the country is facing. These strikes have escalated in recent months, culminating in the invasion of his rural home on April 3, 2024, at night. Omtatah is a spirited human rights and social justice defender. He is known for his staunch more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: Senators Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, are cosponsoring a bipartisan bill to better protect service members from the physical and cognitive dangers of shockwaves produced by explosive weapons used both in combat and in training. The Blast Overpressure Safety Act would di more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: A Brockton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for a scheme to submit false applications to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) funds through the Small Business Administration (SBA) that were made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)  more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: The owner of Stash's Pizza, who is currently facing alleged federal forced labor charges, has been indicted by a grand jury in Boston for allegedly submitting false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain a loan on behalf of a business he no longer owned. Stavros Papantoniadis, a/k/a "Steve Papantoniadis," 49, of Westwood, was in more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on April 11, 2024: A Virginia-based nurse practitioner was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a $7.8 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotics such as back and knee braces. Daphne Jenkins, 64, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorto more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release: The United States has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act (FCA) against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Regeneron), a New York-based pharmaceutical company. The complaint alleges that Regeneron fraudulently manipulated Medicare reimbursement for its drug, Eylea, by knowingly submitting false average sales price (ASP) reports to Medicare. Medicare uses more PR

GREENBELT, Maryland, April 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release: U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Julius Bakari, age 46, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 3 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicaid. The defendant's conviction stems from a scheme involving services purportedly provided by Holy Health  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, issued the following news release: Letter continues Murray's long record of oversight on the flawed rollout of Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program Murray successfully pushed VA to halt deployment of EHR until they get it right in Washington state at Spokane and Walla Walla VA centers Murray leads comprehensive legislation to overhaul EHR, implement structural reforms Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of th more PR

NEWARK, New Jersey, April 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on April 12, 2024: The Justice Department announced today that the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) is adding four new national partners, for a total of 38 agencies and offices committed to deterring, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting antitrust crimes and related schemes that target government procurement, grants, and program funding at all levels of  more PR

NEW YORK, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; John J. Durham, the Director of Joint Task Force Vulcan ("JTFV"); Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"); Katrina W. Berger, the Executive Associate Director of Homelan more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, issued the following news release: Sen. Ossoff's bipartisan bill requires DOJ Inspector General to conduct vigorous oversight & creates a new independent Ombudsman to investigate health & safety of staff & incarcerated people in Federal prisons Bipartisan bill comes after Sen. Ossoff led multiple investigations into U.S. prison system Senator Jon Ossoff's bipartisan bill to strengthen Federal prison oversight has passed a key House Committee more PR

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: A Cincinnati woman convicted at trial last summer of fraud crimes was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 84 months in prison. Kelli Prather, 52, fraudulently requested more than $1.2 million in pandemic relief loans. She was convicted on all 14 counts following a trial in July 2023 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. According to more PR

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: A Columbus man who estimated he filed more than 3,000 fraudulent COVID-relief applications was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 72 months in prison. The fraud scheme perpetuated by Ousmane Diane, 24, caused a loss of more than $908,000. He submitted applications for more than $2 million in funding. Diane pleaded guilty in October 2023 to wi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following news release: The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a markup yesterday to consider a series of bills that require the Census Bureau to include a citizenship question on the decennial census questionnaire, minimize the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, and instruct the Office of Management and Budget to set an annual, gover more PR

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 11 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: Rep. Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton) today announced he is introducing legislation to bring accountability to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) as part of a "Back to Basics" government reform package. "As a member of the House Appropriations Committee for two legislative sessions, I have listened as representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Cor more PR

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, April 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that the United States filed a civil complaint against Nueva Vida Multicultural/Multilingual Behavioral Health, Inc. ("Nueva Vida") and its owner and principal, Dr. Ghodrat Pirooz Sholevar, alleging that they violated the False Claims Act and state common law by billing Medicaid for psychiatric medic more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. issued the following news release on April 8, 2024: PBGC is committed to effective stewardship of taxpayer funds. On April 8, 2024, the Central States Pension Plan (Central States) returned to the U.S. Government more than $126.5 million--the portion of the SFA amount paid to the plan based on inaccurate participant census data. PBGC has been coordinating for several months with the PBGC's Office of the Inspector General, the Department more PR

CLEVELAND, Ohio, April 13 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: PETA is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General now that the federal agency charged with policing animal experimentation facilities has failed to adequately address a string of alarming violations of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) in laboratories at Clevel more PR

BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 13 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: PETA is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General now that the federal agency charged with policing animal experimentation facilities has failed to adequately address a string of alarming animal welfare violations--including the deaths of a dog and a rabbit in laboratories at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and re more PR

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, April 13 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: PETA is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General now that the federal agency charged with policing animal experimentation facilities has failed to adequately address a string of alarming animal welfare violations--including the deaths of mice in laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and repeat more PR

BAR HARBOR, Maine, April 13 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: PETA is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General now that the federal agency charged with policing animal experimentation facilities has failed to adequately address a string of alarming violations of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) at The Jackson Laborato more PR

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 13 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release: PETA is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General now that the federal agency charged with policing animal experimentation facilities has failed to adequately address a string of alarming animal welfare violations--including the deaths of mice in laboratories at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), vi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-050-1-R24) on April 10, 2024, entitled "Mail Conditions at South Houston Local Processing Center." Here are excerpts: * * * Background Our objective for this alert was to determine facility opening procedures and mail conditions at the South Houston Local Processing Center. Each year, increased mail volume during the Postal Service's peak mailing season - Thanksgiving through New Year more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., introduced the "Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act" on March 15, 2024. The text and summary of the bill was released on April 10. H.R. 7684. A bill to reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such p more ST

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-California, issued the following news release: Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16) made the following opening statement at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on telehealth services: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman and good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the witnesses and thank you for being here. We all are looking forward to hearing from you. Today, our Subcommittee will consider 15 bills to expand access to tel more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Georgia, issued the following statement on April 11, 2024: * * * Today, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) released the following statement demanding answers from the United States Postal Service (USPS) on mail service delivery breakdowns occurring across Georgia: "Mail delays and USPS operational breakdowns occurring throughout the state are deeply troubling and require both rigorous oversight and additional transparency from USPS to all those affe more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Mike Levin, D-California, issued the following news release: Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Duncan (SC-03) and Ranking Member Diana DeGette (CO-01) regarding the Subcommittee's hearing today on spent nuclear fuel. The letter details potential solutions for the approximately 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel stranded at nuclear power plants across the more PR

WASHINGTON, April 13 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on April 12, 2024: This week, Congressman Van Drew met with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Inspector General (IG) Rae Oliver Davis to discuss their focus on the ongoing health and safety crisis at Stanley Holmes Village. The Office of the Inspector General safeguards HUD's programs from fraud, waste, and abuse and identifies opportunities for HUD programs to progress and  more PR

AUSTIN, Texas, April 11 -- Right on Crime, a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that supports conservative solutions for reducing crime, restoring victims, reforming offenders and lowering taxpayer costs, issued the following news release: Right On Crime, a national conservative criminal justice organization, supports the bipartisan and bicameral policies of the Federal Prison Oversight Act, H.R. 3019, which will increase transparency and accountability within the Bureau of more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina issued the following news release: A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 15-count indictment against Christine Mary Livingston, 46, of Gaston, and Jerell Reaves, 33, for bribery, conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering. During the alleged crimes, Livingston was a correctional officer and supervisor at the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), where she  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, introduced a resolution on March 8, 2024. The text of the resolution was released on April 3. S. Res. 584. A resolution designating March 7, 2024, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to raise awareness about pervasive government imposter scams and to promote education to prevent government imposter scams; considered and agreed to. The resolution is cosponsored by Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.,  more ST

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on April 8, 2024: U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today revealed that his investigation into past sexual assaults at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has uncovered new information. According to records obtained by the Committee, the U.S. Coast Guard illegally prohibited sexual assault victims from disclosing i more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: In advance of Tax Day on Monday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing, titled "Sunny Places for Shady People: Offshore Tax Evasion by the Wealthy and Corporations." Chairman Whitehouse's remarks, as prepared for delivery: On Tax more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following opening statement at a hearing on offshore tax evasion by the wealthy and corporations, on April 10, 2024: * * * Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your holding today's hearing on offshore tax evasion and closing the tax gap.I have some experience in this area. Talking about the tax gap, I remember how my late friend and former Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch used to more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Senate Finance Committee issued the following testimony by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra involving a hearing on March 14, 2024, entitled "The President's Fiscal Year 2025 Health and Human Services Budget": * * * Chair Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I am pleased to appear before yo more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Senate Finance Committee issued the following testimony by Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O'Malley involving a hearing on March 20, 2024, entitled "The President's Fiscal Year 2025 Social Security Administration Budget": * * * Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, and Members of the committee: Thank you for inviting me to discuss the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) service delivery, customer experience, and Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget r more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release on April 8, 2024: Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, secured the return of $127 million in taxpayer funds that were wrongfully paid to the Central States Pension Fund as part of the Democrats' $90 billion pension bailout included in t more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Oversight of the United States Postal Service" at 10 a.m. on April 16, 2024, at 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building: Witnesses: * LOUIS DEJOY, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, United States Postal Service * THE HONORABLE ROMAN MARTINEZ IVm Chairman, Board of Governors United States Postal Service * THE HONORABLE MICHAEL KUBAYANDA, Chai more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced legislation to address historic levels of fraud within federal funds that were passed to help more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Caring for All Who Have Borne the Battle: Ensuring Equity for Women Veterans at the Department of Veteran Affairs" at 3:30 p.m. on April 10, 2024, at 418 Russell Senate Office Building: WITNESS LIST Panel One * Erica Scavella, MD, FACP, FACHE, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs Accompanie more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, issued the following news release: Senator Murray: "I really strongly caution that ICE needs to take these unsafe, inhumane conditions we have seen documented actually over the last two decades very seriously when you consider renewing the contract at that facility. It expires in 2025, and I will continue to talk with you about that." ***WATCH: Senator Murray's opening remarks and questioning of Secretary Mayorkas*** Today--at a Senate  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, introduced the Blast Overpressure Safety Act - bipartisan legislation that would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to enact a variety of measures to help mitigate and p more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: Today, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of the subcommittee's hearing on VA's broken medical supply chain modernization project: Good afternoon. more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, April 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A deportation officer has been taken into custody on allegations he transported nearly $700,000 in what he believed to be drug proceeds, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Christopher Washington Toral, 48, Spring, is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison at 2 p.m. A federal grand jury returned the indictment Ap more PR

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, April 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A Three Rivers resident and former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employee is expected to appear in federal court on two counts of bribery of a public official, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Justin Matthew Gonzalez, 26, is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton at 9:45 a.m. According to the indictment, returned April 4 and u more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, April 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment against a former Houston resident for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and conducting a monetary transaction in criminally derived property, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. According to the indictment, unsealed upon her appearance in court, Kristen Fenrick, 52, now of Dallas, was the owne more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 (TNScapv) -- The Truck Safety Coalition with collaborators has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The 20-page comment was written and posted on April 2, 2024. The comment was on Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0115. Here are excerpts: * * * To: U.S. Department of Transportation West Building, Ground Floor Room W12-140 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001 Filed via www.regulations.gov. Commercial Driver's License Standards: Inc more ST

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, April 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Virgin Islands issued the following news release on April 11, 2024: United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Gregory Camacho, 43, of St. Croix, was sentenced by District Judge Wilma A. Lewis to nine months of home detention with electronic monitoring and four years of probation after pleading guilty to Converting Property of Another. Judge Lewis also imposed a fine of $6,000.00, a s more PR

RICHMOND, Virginia, April 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia issued the following news release on April 9, 2024: The final defendant in a bribery conspiracy within the Federal Correctional Complex at Petersburg, Virginia (FCC Petersburg), pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to solicit and accept a bribe by a public official. According to court documents, Daniel Thomas, 37, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, has been a correctional officer at FCC Petersburg si more PR

HUNTINGTON, West Virginia, April 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia issued the following news release: After two days of trial, a federal jury convicted Jason Trador, 46, of Scott Depot, on April 10, 2024, of making a false statement to federal agents, willfully overvaluing property on a loan application, and three counts of making a false statement to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Evidence at trial proved that more PR

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, introduced the Blast Overpressure Safety Act - bipartisan legislation that would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to enact a variety of measures to help mitigate and protect service more PR

WASHINGTON, April 10 (TNSres) -- The White House issued the following fact sheet on April 9, 2024: * * * President Biden's Sweeping Proposals to Crack Down on Pandemic Fraud and Help Victims Recover Introduced in Congress - Major New Legislation Introduced by Senators Peters, Durbin, and Wyden Includes Key White House Proposals to Address Systemic Pandemic Fraud and Prevent Future Schemes Today, Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, Senate Judiciary more PR

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- The White House issued the following transcript of a press gaggle by National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby: * * * MODERATOR: Hey, everyone. Thanks for joining us. Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we'll get started. MR. KIRBY: Hey, everybody. Can you hear me okay? I'm going to hope you can hear me okay. Look, I just wanted to reiterate some things that we've been saying here in the last 24 hours. We obviously welcome the steps that were anno more PR