Complaint - Shore News Network

US Attorney’s Office Settles ADA Complaint Involving Area Ophthalmology Practice

DOJ PressMarch 23, 20220

Detroit, MI – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced today that it has reached a settlement with Vitreoretinal Specialists, PLC, which is also known as Retina Associates of Michigan – an ophthalmology practice with three locations in eastern Michigan. The settlement resolves an allegation that it refused to allow a service animal to accompany an individual with a disability beyond its patient waiting area. “Service animals are a critical support for many individuals with disabilities. People who depend on service animals to assist them deserve the same access to our community as individuals who

Two Downtown Los Angeles Residents Arrested on Complaint Alleging They Fraudulently Obtained $300,000 in COVID-Relief Loans

DOJ PressMarch 18, 20220

LOS ANGELES – Two downtown Los Angeles residents were arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging they fraudulently obtained more than $300,000 – and attempted to obtain an additional $1 million – in COVID-relief loans for several companies they claimed to own and operate. Sean Schoepflin, 42, a.k.a. “Sean Fitzgerald,” and Erika Leon, 44, a.k.a. “Erika Fitzgerald,” are each charged with one count of wire fraud, according to a complaint that was unsealed today. They are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court. According to an affidavit filed with the

Microsoft faces EU antitrust complaint about its cloud computing business

ReutersMarch 17, 20220

PARIS – U.S. tech giant Microsoft is facing an antitrust complaint filed by three European rivals in the booming cloud computing business, one the plaintiffs said on Thursday. The complaint, filed with the European Union’s competition watchdog months ago, alleges that Microsoft’s contractual and business practices make it costly and difficult for users of its cloud computing services to opt for those of a competitor, a source close to the matter said. French cloud computing services provider OVHcloud confirmed in a statement that it had joined the complaint against Microsoft. A spokesperson for the company declined to give the names

Justice Department Files Complaint to Stop Seafood Processor from Distributing Adulterated Seafood Products

DOJ PressMarch 9, 20220

WASHINGTON — The United States filed a complaint to stop a seafood processor in Monroe, Washington, from processing and selling adulterated seafood products, the Justice Department announced today. In a civil complaint for permanent injunction filed March 9 at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States alleged that Diane Zollinger, through her business, Felix Custom Smoking, violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by distributing adulterated ready-to-eat seafood products, including fish jerky and cold- and hot-smoked salmon. According to the complaint, Zollinger sells products directly to consumers from her business and at

Bicyclist on crack charges Brick police officers responding to complaint

Charlie DwyerMarch 7, 20220

BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – Police in Brick say a bicyclist under the influence on crack cocaine charged and assaulted police after he was reported by multiple individuals loitering in parking lots in the vicinity of Route 88. “On [Wednesday], at approximately 8:30 p.m. SCU observed a suspicious male riding a bicycle through various parking lots on Rt. 88,” the Brick Police Department said in a statement. “This male was stopping people in vehicles and on foot appearing to be loitering to obtain CDS. SCU detectives stopped Gerald Snyder, 39 years old from Brick Township, in the parking lot of Dollar

Swiss politician files criminal complaint against Credit Suisse

ReutersMarch 4, 20220

By Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi ZURICH – A Swiss member of parliament has filed a criminal complaint against Credit Suisse, he told Reuters on Friday, asking the country’s attorney general to investigate potential sanctions violations after the Financial Times this week reported the bank had asked investors to destroy documents linked to loans to Russian oligarchs. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Credit Suisse had asked hedge funds and other investors to destroy documents relating to its richest clients’ yachts and private jets. The report cited three individuals whose firms had received the request, and linked the request to an

Former TSA Officer Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Alleging He Attempted to Smuggle Methamphetamine Through LAX

DOJ PressMarch 2, 20220

LOS ANGELES – A former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging he smuggled what he believed was methamphetamine through Los Angeles International Airport in exchange for a total of $8,000 in cash.  Michael Williams, 39, of Hawthorne, is charged with one count of attempting to distribute methamphetamine. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles. According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, authorities in 2020 conducted undercover operations involving Williams, whom they suspected of helping smuggle narcotics past security

Judge dismisses antitrust complaint against Altria Group, JUUL Labs-FTC

ReutersFebruary 24, 20220

– An administrative law judge dismissed a Federal Trade Commission antitrust complaint against tobacco company Altria Group Inc. and electronic cigarette maker JUUL Labs Inc., the FTC said on Thursday. The FTC’s April 2020 complaint alleged Altria and JUUL entered a series of agreements, including Altria’s acquisition of a 35% stake in JUUL, that eliminated competition in violation of federal antitrust laws. (Reporting By Paul Grant)

India files complaint against ABG Shipyard alleging $3 billion bank fraud

ReutersFebruary 13, 20220

By Nidhi Verma NEW DELHI – India’s federal investigation agency has filed a police complaint against ABG Shipyard Ltd and its promoters accusing it of defrauding banks of 228.42 billion Indian rupees ($3.03 billion). The report, posted on the Central Bureau of Investigation’s website, said a forensic audit report it received from the banks two years ago had found instances of fraud in April 2012 and July 2017. ABG Shipyard could not be reached for comment and did not immediately respond to an email. The shipbuilder, identified by the central bank as one of India’s “dirty dozen” highly indebted companies,

After months of complaint by Elon Musk, Biden acknowledges Tesla

ReutersFebruary 8, 20220

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden publicly acknowledged the role of Tesla in U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing on Tuesday, after Chief Executive Elon Musk repeatedly complained about being ignored. “From iconic companies like GM and Ford building out new electric vehicle production to Tesla, our nation’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, to innovative younger companies,” Biden said, adding other start-ups and saying manufacturing is coming “back to America after decades.” Biden wants to give union-made, American-built electric vehicles an additional $4,500 tax incentive, setting up a clash between automakers Tesla and Toyota Motor Corp without U.S. unionized workers

Federal Complaint Charges Bloomington Man with Possession of Machinegun

DOJ PressJanuary 29, 20220

PEORIA, Ill. – A Bloomington, Illinois, man, Javares L. Hudson, 21, of the 600 block of Monroe Street, was charged by federal criminal complaint on January 27, 2022, with possessing a machinegun. Hudson appeared in federal court in Peoria today in front of Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley for an initial appearance, at which the complaint against him was unsealed. Hudson is specifically charged with possessing a device that is used to convert a conventional semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic firearm. Such devices are commonly referred to as “switches”, “auto-sears,” or “conversion devices,” among other names. Magistrate Judge Hawley

Parents Defending Education Files Civil Rights Complaint Over Middle School’s Plans For Racially Segregated ‘Affinity Groups’

The Daily CallerDecember 3, 20210

Parents Defending Education (PDE) filed a civil rights complaint Thursday with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) against New York City Public Schools for its plans to hold racially segregated “affinity groups,” according to the complaint. PDE filed the complaint with the Office for Civil Rights “for discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance,” claiming the district violated both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Lower Manhattan Community School, which is the

Noise Complaint Leads to Seizure of 19 lbs. of Pot and $34K

Kristen Harrison-OnealDecember 2, 20210

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Early in the morning on November 30, 2021, Southwest District patrol officers received a noise complaint about a 2019 Jeep SRT, in the 3100 block of W. North Avenue. Officers responded to the location and spotted the vehicle in question. As officers began their investigation, they quickly discovered probable cause that enabled them to obtain a search and seizure warrant for the vehicle. Once the warrant was obtained, the officers searched the vehicle and located and seized 19 lbs of suspected marijuana and $34K in U.S. currency. All the seized evidence was submitted at BPD’s Evidence Control

Two Orange County Men Charged with Drug Trafficking in Criminal Complaint

DOJ PressNovember 29, 20210

Greensboro, NC – Two Orange County men were arrested on Thursday, November 17, 2021, for possession of eight kilograms of cocaine. According to court documents, Epifanio Martinez Rodriguez (40) and Felipe Carranza Rivera (30), both Mexican citizens residing in the United States illegally, were arrested after a Confidential Source (CS) working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office participated in a controlled purchase of eight kilograms of cocaine on November 17, 2021. Investigators agreed to meet the suspects in Mebane after the CS communicated with Rodriguez and Rivera on social media about purchasing cocaine. Rodriguez and Rivera are each charged with

Lakewood Man Arrested on Federal Complaint Alleging He Threatened to Bomb SBA Offices and Assault Agency Employees

DOJ PressNovember 22, 20210

LOS ANGELES – A Lakewood man was arrested on a federal criminal complaint filed today alleging he threatened to bomb Small Business Administration (SBA) offices and then, the following year, assault SBA employees in response to his inability to obtain COVID-19 emergency business loans. Christopher Joseph Antoun, 29, was arrested Saturday on a complaint charging him with one count of making threats by interstate communication. He made his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, where he was ordered jailed without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for December 10. According to

Justice Department Files Complaint Against Professional Compounding Centers of America Inc., for Reporting Fraudulent Pricing Information for Ingredients Sold to Pharmacies

DOJ PressNovember 8, 20210

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Professional Compounding Centers of America Inc. (PCCA), a Houston-based company that sells active pharmaceutical ingredients and other products and services to compounding pharmacies. The complaint alleges that PCCA reported fraudulent and inflated Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) for its ingredients that bore no relationship to the actual prices at which it sold those ingredients to its pharmacy customers, thereby causing those pharmacies to submit inflated compound prescription claims to TRICARE, the federal health care program providing insurance for active duty military personnel, military retirees and military

Teach Them Diligently Resolves ADA Complaint By Providing Interpreting Services For The Deaf At Its Conventions

DOJ PressNovember 8, 20210

NASHVILLE – In response to a civil rights complaint received by this Office, Teach Them Diligently (TTD), a Christian-based home school resource community of Greenville, South Carolina, addressed the interpreting needs of deaf attendees at its Christian homeschool convention in Nashville, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee. TTD also agreed to address requests for interpreting services and other accommodations at future conferences in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “We appreciate the willingness of Teach Them Diligently to resolve these issues swiftly and address the greater needs of all individuals with

Justice Department Files Complaint Against Professional Compounding Centers of America Inc. for Reporting Fraudulent Pricing Information for Ingredients Sold to Pharmacies

DOJ PressNovember 8, 20210

The Justice Department has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Professional Compounding Centers of America Inc. (PCCA), a Houston-based company that sells active pharmaceutical ingredients and other products and services to compounding pharmacies. The complaint alleges that PCCA reported fraudulent and inflated Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) for its ingredients that bore no relationship to the actual prices at which it sold those ingredients to its pharmacy customers, thereby causing those pharmacies to submit inflated compound prescription claims to TRICARE, the federal health care program providing insurance for active duty military personnel, military retirees and military dependents. Compounding

Another Whistleblower Files SEC Complaint Alleging Facebook Didn’t Do Enough About ‘Hate Speech’, ‘Misinformation’

The Daily CallerOctober 25, 20210

Another former Facebook employee filed a whistleblower complaint Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging that the tech giant misled its investors by failing to combat the spread of hate and misinformation on its platform, The Washington Post reported. The former employee, whose name is not yet public, alleged that Facebook executives chose not to pursue adequate content moderation policies related to hate speech and misinformation for the sake of maximizing profits. The complaint also alleges that Facebook did not do enough about alleged Russian misinformation on the platform for fear of upsetting former President Donald Trump. In particular,

Prominent Liberal Watchdog Group Files Hatch Act Complaint Against Jen Psaki

The Daily CallerOctober 15, 20210

A prominent liberal watchdog group filed a Hatch Act complaint against White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Friday, saying her apparent endorsement of Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McCauliffe during a White House press briefing may have violated federal law. “By mixing official government business with support of a candidate for partisan political office in the weeks before the election and engaging in political activity while on duty, Ms. Psaki appears to have used her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election, political activity that is prohibited by law,” Citizens