Sen. Murray, Senators Urge Trump Administration to Investigate Equifax Stock Sales Following Massive Data Breach
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 13/ 17 (link source)
(Washington, D.C.) – Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and a bipartisan group of 35 U.S. Senators is asking the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the sale of nearly $2 million in Equifax stock held by high-level Equifax executives shortly after the company learned of a massive cybersecurity breach.
Equifax, a major consumer credit reporting agency, recently disclosed that unauthorized parties had obtained sensitive information – such as Social Security numbers, addresses, and driver’s license numbers -- for as many as 143 million people. The breach is believed to have occurred in May and was discovered internally by Equifax in late July. Within days of Equifax’s internal discovery of the breach, three top level Equifax executives -- the Chief Financial Officer; the President of U.S. Information Solutions; and the President of Workforce Solutions -- sold large amounts of Equifax stock, though its customers, shareholders, and the public were not notified of the breach until September 7.
Equifax has stated that the three executives were not notified of the breach when they sold shares and exercised options.
In their letter, Sen. Murray and her colleagues express concern about potential insider trading violations: “As part of your investigations, we request that you conduct a thorough examination of any unusual trading, including any atypical options trading, for violations of insider trading law. To the extent that your investigations uncover any information regarding whether Equifax management employed reasonable measures to ensure the security of the now compromised data prior to this cyber breach, we would appreciate your sharing these details.”
The Senators also write: “We request that you spare no effort in your investigations and in enforcing the law to the fullest extent against anyone who is found to be at fault.” Previously, on September 11th, Sen. Murray helped lead a broad Democratic effort to push Equifax to completely end its use of forced arbitration agreements, which limit the ability of consumers to pursue justice in a public court of law or challenge widespread corporate wrongdoing. (for more see link source)
Sen. Murray Urges Focus On Common Ground at Health Care Hearing: “Goal is Making Care More Affordable, Not Less” for Washington State Families
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 12/ 17 (link source)
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Senate health committee, joined by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the committee’s top Democrat, held its third scheduled hearing on bipartisan steps Congress should take to stabilize the individual insurance market with state flexibility experts. In her opening statement, Sen. Murray highlighted several areas of agreement between many witnesses thus far: multi-year certainty for out-of-pocket cost reductions, need for additional ideas to make health care work better for patients and families, such as establishing a reinsurance program, and end to Administration sabotage on open enrollment and consumer outreach.
Sen. Murray expressed her consistent concerns that suggestions on increased state flexibility could wind up increasing out-of-pocket costs and lead to the loss of guardrails that so many patients and families rely on.
NOTE: On Thursday, September 14th, the committee will hold its last scheduled hearing with health care stakeholders representing doctors, hospitals, insurers, and patients. On September 6th, during the committee’s first bipartisan hearing on improving care, Sen. Murray and her colleagues heard from Washington state Insurance Commission Mike Kreidler, OD, who joined state insurance commissioners from Alaska, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania to provide testimony on ways Congress can lower health care costs for patients and families.
Key Excerpts from Sen. Murray’s Opening Statement:
“Even if we don’t agree exactly on the cause, we do agree on the challenge facing this committee: families will see higher premiums and fewer options as a result of uncertainty in our health care system….Now last week we heard some valuable recommendations in our conversations. First of all, Governors and state insurance commissioners, from all corners of the country—Republicans and Democrats—agree we need multi-year certainty for out-of-pocket cost reductions…Second, there’s consensus that, along with guaranteeing out-of-pocket cost reductions, we should consider additional ideas to make health care work better for patients and families…And third—and Democrats have been very focused on this from the start—there’s agreement the damage being done by this Administration on open enrollment and consumer outreach is having a real impact—and could potentially undermine our efforts to restore stability to our markets.”
“Today's hearing, on specific steps we can take to provide some flexibility to states and communities, is an important discussion…Now, I have to say, among the many measures cited as pressing priorities by our witnesses so far, state flexibility isn’t something they’ve said is needed to stabilize the market in the short term. And, while we’ve heard a lot of interesting proposals, I worry that many suggestions could wind up increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients and families—when our principal goal in these hearings and in our bipartisan negotiations is making care more affordable, not less.”
“So I commit on my end—and I know my Democratic colleagues do as well—to seriously listening and considering the ideas presented today. But I hope we can stay focused on our common goal of lowering costs for patients by stabilizing markets as soon as possible. And let me underscore what I’ve said many times: this must be a conversation about moving forward, not backward, when it comes to affordability, coverage, and quality of care. I want to emphasize that because Democrats will reject any effort to use this discussion as a way to erode the guardrails and protections that so many patients and families rely on.”
Sen. Murray Introduces Legislation to Remove Barriers, Provide Support for Homeless and Foster Students in Higher Education
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 12/ 17 (link source)
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate education committee, and Rob Portman (R-OH), joined by Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Don Young (R-AK), introduced the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017 to help remove barriers and provide support to help homeless and foster kids access and succeed in higher education.
“The skyrocketing costs of college impact all students, but for homeless and foster students, the challenges they face far too often put higher education out of reach,” said Senator Murray. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to provide support for homeless and foster students to access, afford and graduate from college, and I will keep fighting so every student who wants to join the middle class through higher education has the opportunity to do so.”
“Kids in foster care face an uphill battle when they pursue higher education. It is in all of our interests to help these kids who have aged out of the foster care system or have experienced homelessness and ensure that services for them are a priority in existing federal programs,” said Senator Portman. “This common-sense legislation will remove unnecessary barriers and make college more affordable these youth. It will support college retention, and greater success in higher education to allow these youth people to graduate, pursue their dreams, and achieve their God-given potential.”
The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017 asks colleges and universities and the federal government to work together to improve outreach to and resources for homeless and foster youth, including streamlining the FAFSA, clarifying eligibility for financial aid, providing housing options between terms, and designating a single point of contact to help provide services for these vulnerable students. It also requires the U.S. Department of Education to help resolve questions about a student’s independence, publish more transparent data on the number of homeless and foster youth served, and ensure its grant programs identify, recruit and prepare homeless and foster students for college. The bill also asks states to grant in-state tuition rates for those students who haven’t had stable residency.
“Every day, our homeless and foster youth overcome challenges that remain largely invisible to their communities,” said Representative Clark. “The sad, pervasive reality is that too many students don’t know where they will get their next meal or where they will sleep tonight, but they know good grades and hard work are their best shot at a brighter future. Their hard work to better their lives shouldn’t be deterred by policies and paperwork,” said Clark. “Our bill is a simple, common sense way Congress can help students who face unique and significant challenges chart their path to success.”
“Access to higher education should be available to each and every student that has the desire and determination to do so, regardless of their background or their means,” said Representative Young. “As a former teacher and proud grandfather of children who joined my family through the foster system, I strongly believe in the work being done through this legislation to empower our nation’s youth with the knowledge and skills to live up to their potential. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is only one small step is better serving our homeless and foster youth, but certainly an important one to ensuring they can aspire to any level of education and success.”
Cantwell Continues Push to Drive down Health Insurance Costs through Basic Health Plan
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 12/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) continued her efforts to lower the cost of health insurance through the Basic Health Plan -- a health care option that would provide quality, cost-efficient coverage for 162,000 eligible Washingtonians who do not qualify for Medicaid, but struggle to afford private insurance, according to a joint study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Urban Institute.
The Basic Health Plan, an option through the Affordable Care Act, empowers states to use federal funding to negotiate directly with managed care plans. The Plan would significantly lower healthcare premiums and deductibles for low-income working individuals who are ineligible for Medicaid.
“If you buy in bulk, you get a discount. And that applies to negotiated rates for either drugs or for healthcare. We must put those individuals in the marketplace in a position of having the clout that you would want somebody who was with a large employer to get,” said Cantwell. “We’ve seen with the Basic Health Plan in New York that they were able to drive down costs because they bundled up a population and 13 different providers wanted to bid on that.”
Andrew Slavitt, who oversaw the implementation of the Basic Health Plan in Minnesota and New York while serving as acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Obama Administration, applauded the Cantwell-authored program.
“I live in a state, Minnesota, that’s taken advantage of [the Basic Health Plan] and it’s worked very well,” said Slavitt.
Starting in 2015, both New York and Minnesota have implemented the Basic Health Plan, leading to large decreases in health insurance costs. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Urban Institute study, premiums and deductibles were far lower for people in New York and Minnesota on the respective Basic Health Plan than for people in other states with subsidized exchange plans. New York state health officials have estimated cost savings of more than $1 billion while Minnesota has had savings of more than $100 million during the first budget biennium under the program.
In addition, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Urban Institute study found that health insurance enrollment in New York increased by 42 percent after it switched from the Exchange to its Basic Health Plan (known as the Essential Plan) for individuals between 138 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The study also found that the Basic Health Plan did not appear to destabilize the Exchange or the individual insurance market in either state.
In Wake of Harvey, Irma & Devastating Wildfires, Cantwell Bill to Improve Phone, Internet, TV, Radio Service in Disaster Areas Passes Senate
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 12/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan bill led by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to help communities quickly restore communications networks in emergencies passed out of the United States Senate by unanimous consent at the end of business yesterday.
The Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act (SANDy Act) would lead to more of these communication services being repaired faster, and at less cost to states. Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, as well as the brutal fire season gripping the West, show how functional communication systems have proven vital for local authorities and relief organizations to coordinate rescue and relief efforts and for impacted communities to connect with the outside world.
“Phone service, broadband, and TV access are critical to saving lives and protecting property when disaster strikes. As extreme weather events like wildfires and hurricanes become more severe, communities across our country will rely more on these communications systems. The SANDy Act paves the way for communities to restore communications and respond more quickly, regardless of what Mother Nature throws at them,” said Senator Cantwell.
In Washington state, the legislation would help communities respond to disasters in the wildfire-prone central and western regions, as well as in coastal communities that are at increased risk for tsunamis and earthquakes.
The FCC reports more than half of cell sites in the Miami-Dade County, as well as five other counties in Florida, are currently out of operation in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Relief and rescue operations, as well as attempts by family members to contact one another, may be affected until service is restored.
Cantwell’s bill will now head to a conference committee between the House and Senate. Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6) introduced a companion bill in the House, which passed the House with bipartisan support earlier this year.
The SANDy Act was cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Thune (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The SANDy Act would:
Give FEMA explicit authority to reimburse states for costs associated with supporting the restoration and repair of lifesaving communications services critical to first responders and affected communities.
Modernize and expand the list of service providers that can gain access to disaster sites in order to make repairs to their critical communications infrastructure to include: providers of Internet access, radio and television broadcasters, cable service providers and satellite TV providers.
Recognize and urge adherence to the voluntary framework the major wireless carriers entered into last month to share resources, work together to restore services more quickly and promote local government preparedness during emergencies.
Direct the Government Accountability Office to study the best ways to create and maintain a directory of key contact personnel for communications service providers to help speed up restoration of lost communication services in a given area.
Senator Cantwell has worked to ensure communities have the resources they need to address challenges before, during and after a disaster. In response to wildfires currently burning in the West, she recently urged Senate leadership to include a wildfire funding fix in future disaster aid passed through Congress. Earlier this year, Cantwell secured legislation directing the National Weather Service (NWS) to study areas of the country, including Central Washington, with inadequate Doppler weather radar coverage and develop a plan to improve that coverage.
Last year, Cantwell held roundtable discussions throughout Washington state to hear from local officials and stakeholders on the resources they need to prepare for, fight and recover from wildfires. In addition, Cantwell has met with community leaders and emergency officials on tsunami preparedness, and has passed legislation to strengthen tsunami warning systems and advance new research related to improving tsunami detection, forecasting, notification and response.
CONGRESSMAN KILMER'S BLOG: My Vote on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 601 – Hurricane Supplemental, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations, and Flood Insurance Package
POSTED 9/ 8/ 17 (link source)
Earlier this week, the House voted on additional investments for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration in the wake of devastating hurricanes hitting states like Texas. I was hopeful we could move quickly on this because FEMA was about to run out of money and they help pay for things like shelter, food, clothing, and medicine.
Yesterday, the Senate took up the bill we passed, approved it, and also added on short-term measures to raise the debt ceiling and fund our government through December 15. Today, I joined the House in voting to pass this legislation and get it to the President for a signature. The good news is that we can get emergency money to victims of natural disasters, we won’t default on our debt, and we won’t have a government shutdown. America should pay its bills while at the same time getting a handle on our long-term fiscal challenges. We also know how damaging a government shutdown was to our region last time.
That being said, I’m disappointed we will be dealing with the debt ceiling and a potential government shutdown yet again in December. I spent 10 years working in economic development. No business I ever worked with would run its operations this way. In the coming months I’m going to push for a longer-term budget that focuses on growth and can pave the way to help us address our fiscal challenges. It’s past time to bring a little certainty and predictability to this Congress.
Sánchez, Fitzpatrick, Kilmer, LoBiondo, Thompson Introduce Bill to Jumpstart American Apprenticeship
PRESS RELEASE 9/ 8/ 17 (link source)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, along with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02), and Mike Thompson (CA-05) today introduced the bipartisan Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2017 to enhance training and education opportunities for American workers through registered apprenticeships. Apprenticeship programs have been an integral part of America’s workforce development, allowing workers to increase their skills while also earning a paycheck. This legislation is the House companion to the bill introduced earlier this year by Senators Maria Cantwell and Susan Collins.
Full text of the legislation is available here.
Substantive apprenticeship programs are an integral part of the quality education that leads to good paying American jobs. A skilled workforce is a critical component to a continued productive economy, but in recent decades employers have been experiencing a shortage of properly trained, available workers.
Apprenticeship programs are a proven tool for workers to learn advanced skills while also earning a paycheck. The bill would create a $5,000 tax credit based upon wages paid by companies who hire individuals enrolled in a federal or state registered apprenticeship program. For employers participating in a multi-employer apprenticeship program, the credit rate would be $3 per hour each individual works. A worker must be employed for 7 months before the credit can be claimed and can be claimed as the apprentice works through the program for a maximum of three years. The bill also allows veterans to apply their previous skills and experience towards education hours so they can be put to use more quickly.
“In today’s global economy there are more ways to succeed than ever before,” said Representative Linda T Sánchez. “The Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act would ensure that more hard-working Americans are able to learn the skills necessary to compete for good paying jobs in today’s most in-demand industries. Expanding apprenticeship programs will help our middle class thrive by closing our skills gap and raising household wages.”
“Apprenticeship programs grow our economy by fostering training programs that will prepare workers for in-demand careers,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. By closing the skills gap, this bipartisan program will encourage more good-paying jobs for working families, while addressing our nation’s current shortage of trained workers. I am proud to work with Congresswoman Sanchez on this bipartisan legislation to enhance America’s workforce and bring robust job growth to Bucks and Montgomery Counties.”
“Apprenticeships empower workers to get on-the-job training without breaking the bank,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “In a rapidly changing economy this is a key path to learning a new skill and earning a decent wage. I’m proud to be part of this effort to create new opportunities for local employers to invest in our workforce and create quality jobs through apprenticeships.”
“As we seek to bolster American job creation and lower unemployment, encouraging apprenticeships will help build the skilled workforce our country needs to compete in the global economy,” said Rep. Frank LoBiondo. “Given the needs for well-trained workers in many fields, this bipartisan legislation would provide opportunities for individuals seeking additional education and experience to further their careers.”
“Apprenticeship programs have consistently proven to be successful models of both career and workforce development, creating opportunities for workers and companies,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “By allowing workers to earn a living while learning a trade, companies are able to create more jobs and build out their business. This bill would create greater incentives for companies to expand apprenticeship programs and would ensure veterans can apply their relevant military training to their apprenticeships.”
MILKING THE SYSTEM...
DOJ: South Carolina Family Practice Chain, Its Co-Owner, and Its Laboratory Director Agree to Pay the United States $2 Million to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations for Illegal Medicare Referrals and Billing for Unnecessary Medical Services
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 11/ 17 (link source)
Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina LLC (FMC), has agreed to pay the United States $1.56 million, and FMC’s principal owner and former chief executive officer, Dr. Stephen F. Serbin, and its former Laboratory Director, Victoria Serbin, have agreed to pay $443,000 to resolve a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging that they submitted and caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare and TRICARE programs. FMC is a physician-owned chain of family medicine clinics located in and around Columbia, South Carolina, whose practices include Springwood Lake Family Practice, Woodhill Family Practice, Midtown Family Medicine, Saluda Pointe Family Medicine, Lake Murray Family Medicine, and the now closed Rice Creek Family Medicine.
The settlements announced today resolve allegations that FMC, as directed by Dr. Serbin, submitted claims to the Medicare Program that violated the physician self-referral prohibition, commonly known as the Stark Law, which is intended to ensure that a physician’s medical judgment is not compromised by improper financial incentives. The Stark Law forbids a clinic from billing Medicare for certain services ordered by physicians who have a financial relationship with the entity. In this case, the government alleged that the Stark Law was violated by FMC’s incentive compensation plan that paid FMC’s physicians a percentage of the value of laboratory and other diagnostic tests that they personally ordered through FMC, which FMC then billed to Medicare. Dr. Serbin, FMC’s co-owner and chief executive, allegedly initiated this program and reminded FMC’s physicians that they needed to order tests and other services through FMC in order to increase FMC’s profits and to ensure that their take-home pay remained in the upper level nationwide for family practice doctors.
“Financial arrangements that compensate physicians for referrals can sometimes encourage physicians to make decisions based on financial gain rather than patient needs,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public health programs and drive up the cost of healthcare for taxpayers.”
The settlements also resolve allegations that FMC, Dr. Serbin, and Victoria Serbin submitted and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and TRICARE for medically unnecessary laboratory services by creating custom laboratory panels comprised of diagnostic tests not appropriate for routine measurement, performing these tests without an order from the treating physician, implementing standing orders to assure these custom panels were performed with defined frequency and not in reaction to clinical need, and programming FMC’s billing software to systematically change certain billing codes for laboratory tests to ensure payment by Medicare.
“Healthcare decisions should be made by physicians based on medical science and not with regard to maximizing the doctor’s own income,” said U.S. Attorney Beth Drake for the District of South Carolina. “Our goal in bringing this case was not only to recover money for improper healthcare claims, but also to deter similar conduct and promote health care affordability.”
The allegations settled today arose from a lawsuit filed by a physician formerly employed by FMC, Dr. Catherine A. Schaefer, under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the act, private citizens can bring suit on behalf of the government for false claims and share in any recovery. Dr. Schaefer will receive $340,510.
As part of the settlement announced today, FMC and the Serbins have also agreed to enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), which ensures the Serbins will have no management role in FMC for five years and obligates FMC to undertake other substantial internal compliance reforms, including hiring an independent review organization to conduct annual claims reviews.
“Patients and taxpayers should expect that doctors’ best medical judgement is not clouded by what amount to thinly-veiled bribes,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson for HHS-OIG. “We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to preserve government health funds by bringing violators to justice.”
“We applaud the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina for holding this provider accountable for its actions,” said Deputy Director Guy Kiyokawa of the Defense Health Agency. “The provider’s actions targeted American service members, veterans and their families, diverting valuable resources through unnecessary tests. The Defense Health Agency continues to work closely with the Justice Department and other state and federal agencies to investigate all those who participated in these nefarious, fraudulent practices.”
This case was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, HHS-OIG and the Defense Health Agency.
The litigation and settlement of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The case is captioned United States ex rel. Schaefer v. Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina, LLC, Stephen F. Serbin, M.D. and Victoria Serbin, No. 3:14-cv-342-MBS (D.S.C.).
DOJ: Florida Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 12/ 17 (link source)
A Jacksonville, Florida resident was sentenced to 42 months in prison for her role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Clark Morris for the Middle District of Alabama.
According to documents and information provided to the court, from approximately February 2014 through February 2015, in Duval County, Florida, and Pike County, Alabama, Comone Denise Ross, 58, and others obtained stolen IDs, including the personal identifying information of prisoners. They used the information to file over 100 tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking approximately $411,914 in fraudulent refunds. One co-conspirator, Devon Tucker, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 32 months in prison for selling Ross identification information relating to inmates at the Troy, Alabama City Jail.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ordered Ross to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $285,412 in restitution to the IRS. Ross pleaded guilty in April 2017 to conspiring to defraud the government and aggravated identity theft.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Gregory P. Bailey and Michael P. Hatzimichalis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross of the Middle District of Alabama, who prosecuted this case.
DOJ: California Resident Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 12/ 17 (link source)
A California resident was sentenced to 25 months in prison for filing and conspiring to file fraudulent claims for income tax refunds with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch for the Northern District of California.
According to documents filed with the court, Trong Nguyen aka John Nguyen, 57, and his codefendant Diep Vo aka Nancy Vo, 74, used the identities of homeless and unemployed individuals in the San Jose, California area to file fraudulent claims for refunds with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Vo went to homeless shelters and homeless encampments and falsely represented to individuals that she could get them money from a government program designed to assist people who had not worked in previous years. Vo convinced people to write down their names and social security numbers and to sign blank income tax returns. Vo and Nguyen then falsified the signed returns including bogus income and income tax amounts withheld and sought more than $1.5 million in refunds from the IRS. Vo and Nguyen directed the IRS to send the refund checks to private mailboxes they controlled.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Court Judge Beth Freeman also ordered Nguyen to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $700,816. Nguyen previously pleaded guilty in May. Vo also pleaded guilty and she is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Stretch thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Newman and Trial Attorney Gregory Bernstein of the Tax Division.
DOJ: California Internet Sales Company President Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement and False Tax Returns
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 11/ 17 (link source)
A Manhattan Beach, California resident was sentenced to nine months in prison for wire fraud and filing false tax returns, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Alana W. Robinson for the Southern District of California.
According to the evidence presented at trial, James Miller, a California attorney, was the president and managing partner of MWRC Internet Sales LLC, an online sales company. As part of his duties, Miller had check signing authority for the company’s business bank account. From January 2009 through October 2012, Miller wrote unauthorized checks to himself from MWRC’s account, embezzling more than $300,000. Miller used this money to pay for personal expenses and did not report it on his individual tax returns for 2009 through 2012, causing a tax loss of approximately $58,000.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Judge George Wu ordered Miller to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $64,329 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Robinson commended special agents of FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Kanter and Trial Attorney Benjamin Weir of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS...
From the UN NEWS CENTER
UN chief calls for action on Myanmar and DPR Korea; launches reform initiatives
13 September 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today reiterated his call for Muslims from Myanmar's Rakhine state to be granted nationality or at least a legal status that would allow them to lead a normal life, while also urging the international community to help provide assistance for the nearly 380,000 people who have fled into Bangladesh.
World's poor bearing the brunt of global crises, stresses UN rights expert
14 September 2017 – Impacts of climate change and the global economic crisis are compounding the threats faced by people living in poverty around the world, a United Nations rights expert warned, calling on the international development community to put human rights at the centre of their work.
NATIONAL
CBS NEWS: Journalist from Mexico denied entry to U.S. for press event in Washington
A well-known journalist from Mexico was denied entry into the United States this week to be a panelist at a journalism event in Washington, D.C., according to Reporters Without Borders.
AP: Florida nursing home deaths spur efforts to protect elderly
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Emergency crews around hurricane-scarred Florida worked Thursday to make sure elderly residents were safe after eight people died in a sweltering nursing home that lost air conditioning in the storm and multiple other facilities were evacuated.
Daily Bible Verse: [ Unity Through Humility ] Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Philippians 2:1-2 NKJV
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