Federal - Executive Branch
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.
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Wayne County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Oxycodone Charge
HUNTINGTON, W.Va., Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Carol A. Casto, issued the following news release:
A Wayne County man who assisted others in distributing oxycodone in the Fort Gay area in 2015 and 2016 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dennis Ransbottom, Jr., 32, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
Between November 2015 and November 2016, Ransbottom participated in the conspiracy with others, including an oxycodone source from Detroit. During the conspiracy, the source
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va., Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Carol A. Casto, issued the following news release:
A Wayne County man who assisted others in distributing oxycodone in the Fort Gay area in 2015 and 2016 pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Dennis Ransbottom, Jr., 32, entered his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
Between November 2015 and November 2016, Ransbottom participated in the conspiracy with others, including an oxycodone source from Detroit. During the conspiracy, the sourcefrequently transported oxycodone pills from Michigan to Fort Gay to distribute, and would notify Ransbottom upon arrival in West Virginia. Ransbottom agreed to introduce individuals to the source, or otherwise arrange for customers to meet the source to buy pills. On November 29, 2016, Ransbottom was arrested along with another individual while they were meeting outside of the Pit Stop gas station in Fort Gay. Investigators located and seized a total of 382 thirty mg oxycodone tablets during the arrest.
Ransbottom faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on November 20, 2017.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wayne County Sheriff's Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
This case was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney's Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.
SEC Issues Administrative Proceeding on Laurence I. Balte
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following administrative proceeding (File No. 3-17614) involving Laurence I. Balte on an order appointing tax administrator:
In the Matter of
LAURENCE I. BALTER d/b/a
ORACLE INVESTMENT RESEARCH,
Respondent.
ORDER APPOINTING TAX ADMINISTRATOR
By order dated June 30, 2017, the Commission issued the "Omnibus Order Directing the Appointment of Tax Administrator in Administrative Proceedings that Establish Distribution Funds" ("Omnibus Order"),1 authorizing the Secretary to issue orders beginning June 2017 and for calendar
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following administrative proceeding (File No. 3-17614) involving Laurence I. Balte on an order appointing tax administrator:
In the Matter of
LAURENCE I. BALTER d/b/a
ORACLE INVESTMENT RESEARCH,
Respondent.
ORDER APPOINTING TAX ADMINISTRATOR
By order dated June 30, 2017, the Commission issued the "Omnibus Order Directing the Appointment of Tax Administrator in Administrative Proceedings that Establish Distribution Funds" ("Omnibus Order"),1 authorizing the Secretary to issue orders beginning June 2017 and for calendaryear 2018 appointing, upon request by the Commission staff, Miller Kaplan Arase LLP, a certified public accounting firm, which acquired Damasco & Associates LLP ("Miller Kaplan"), with one of their offices located in Half Moon Bay, California, as tax administrator ("Tax Administrator") in administrative proceedings where the distribution fund may incur tax-related obligations as a Qualified Settlement Fund ("QSF") under the Department of the Treasury Regulation section 1.468B-1(c).
On August 17, 2017, the Commission staff requested, pursuant to the Omnibus Order, the appointment of Miller Kaplan as the Tax Administrator for the QSF in the above-referenced proceeding.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Miller Kaplan, pursuant to and in accordance with the Omnibus Order, is appointed the Tax Administrator for the QSF in the above-referenced proceeding.
For the Commission, by its Secretary, pursuant to delegated authority.
Brent J. Fields
Secretary
Footnote:
1 Exchange Act Rel. No. 81057 (June 30, 2017).
NSWC Crane's Radar Division Saves Navy $27.65 Million
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Naval Sea Systems Command issued the following news:
The Radar Systems Division at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) recently led an effort that resulted in a projected Navy-wide cost savings of $27.65 million, while also ensuring critical products were delivered on time.
Due to Department of Energy (DoE) conservation standards, the U.S. Navy faced a potential challenge in providing electric motors to support production of the AN/SPQ-9B radar system. The Navy did not have a viable path forward to meet their contractual obligations, and failure
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Naval Sea Systems Command issued the following news:
The Radar Systems Division at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) recently led an effort that resulted in a projected Navy-wide cost savings of $27.65 million, while also ensuring critical products were delivered on time.
Due to Department of Energy (DoE) conservation standards, the U.S. Navy faced a potential challenge in providing electric motors to support production of the AN/SPQ-9B radar system. The Navy did not have a viable path forward to meet their contractual obligations, and failureto meet installations schedules with the shipyards would result in additional fees and fines.
"Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Departments can have major impacts on critical DoD and Department of the Navy systems needed to support the warfighter," said John Schofield, Chief Engineer in NSWC Crane's Radar Systems Division.
The cost to move forward with a new design to Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO-IWS) was projected to be over $26 million for the AN/SPQ-9B system, one of many rotating radar systems using electric motors in PEO-IWS's portfolio. The motor manufacturer estimated a redesign would also cost approximately $1 million in engineering effort, and would take nearly six months to complete.
"The enforcement of standards and rules on DoD systems impacts the fielding and sustainment of systems," Schofield said. "Engagement and persistence with organizations enforcing the standards and rules can lead to a solution and a way forward."
Schofield analyzed the potential problem the Navy was facing, and an NSWC Crane team presented the case to the DoE. The DoE concurred with the approach of pursuing a Navy-wide waiver, and NSWC Crane drafted a petition letter that was eventually granted.
NSWC Crane's efforts saved a significant amount of money for the AN/SPQ-9B system, but it could create a ripple effect that carries over to other systems across the Navy and beyond.
"Crane has potentially saved the Navy millions of dollars for redesigning systems to accommodate motors that meet the new standards," said Gary Mason, PEO-IWS' Principal/Assistant Project Manager for Rotating Radars. "This is the kind of persistence we need everyone to exhibit. Crane should be held up as an example for everyone to follow."
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's warfighter.
MQ-1 Predator Crashed in Southeast Turkey
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force's Incirlik Air Base (39th Air Base Wing) issued the following news:
U.S. emergency responders and local police are on scene where a U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed in a field approximately 200 miles east of Adana, Turkey.
The aircraft departed Incirlik Air Base, and subsequently crashed at approximately 11:50 a.m., local time, Aug. 21, 2017.
"U.S. Air Force and Turkish personnel are working hand in hand to keep local citizens safe and to recover the aircraft," said Col. Michael Rimsky, 39th Air Base Wing
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INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Air Force's Incirlik Air Base (39th Air Base Wing) issued the following news:
U.S. emergency responders and local police are on scene where a U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed in a field approximately 200 miles east of Adana, Turkey.
The aircraft departed Incirlik Air Base, and subsequently crashed at approximately 11:50 a.m., local time, Aug. 21, 2017.
"U.S. Air Force and Turkish personnel are working hand in hand to keep local citizens safe and to recover the aircraft," said Col. Michael Rimsky, 39th Air Base Wingvice commander. "Our goal is to minimize the impact to our host nation partners while continuing to meet mission requirements."
There were no civilian or military injuries. The U.S. military and Turkish officials have control of the aircraft. An investigation is underway to determine the specific cause of the crash.
Anyone who believes they may have a claim for damages against the United States resulting from this incident, please contact the 39th Air Base Wing legal office at 0-322-316-6800.
More information will be provided as it is available.
Justin E. Herdman Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
CLEVELAND, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Justin E. Herdman, issued the following news release:
Justin E. Herdman has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Herdman was nominated by President Donald Trump on June 12 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 3. He took the oath of office from U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Gaughan.
"I am humbled and honored to be returning to an office that I love," Herdman said. "I am excited to work with the men and women of the U.S. Attorney's Office to seek justice
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CLEVELAND, Aug. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Justin E. Herdman, issued the following news release:
Justin E. Herdman has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Herdman was nominated by President Donald Trump on June 12 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 3. He took the oath of office from U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Gaughan.
"I am humbled and honored to be returning to an office that I love," Herdman said. "I am excited to work with the men and women of the U.S. Attorney's Office to seek justiceevery day for the people who live in Northern Ohio. We face serious challenges in our region, including the opioid epidemic and violent crime, but we will endeavor daily to make our community safer."
As U.S. Attorney, Herdman supervises the prosecution of federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States. The office covers Ohio's northern 40 counties, which includes Cleveland, Toledo, Akron and Youngstown. Herdman oversees a staff of approximately 160 employees.
Herdman, of Chagrin Falls, was an Assistant United States Attorney from 2006 through 2013, serving as Deputy Chief of the National Security, Human Rights, and Organized Crime Unit. He was responsible for investigating and prosecuting national security crimes, including the successful trial and appeal of a homegrown terror cell that sought to support al Qaeda. He was also part of the prosecution team of five self-proclaimed anarchists convicted of attempting to use explosives to blow up a Cleveland-area bridge.
Immediately prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Herdman was a partner at Jones Day, where he represented businesses and individuals under investigation.
Before returning home to the Cleveland area, Mr. Herdman was an Assistant District Attorney in New York City, working for the legendary District Attorney for the borough of Manhattan, Robert M. Morgenthau, where Mr. Herdman prosecuted a wide range of violent crime and identity theft cases.
He serves as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force Reserve and is a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He is a graduate of Kenston High School. He earned his B.A. from Ohio University, his M.Phil. from the University of Glasgow, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Eleventh Circuit Affirms Conviction and Sentence of Pinellas County Man for Terrorist Plot
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 21 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, W. Stephen Muldrow, issued the following news release:
Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the conviction and sentence of Sami Osmakac (30, Pinellas Park) for attempted use of weapons of mass destruction and possession of a fully automatic firearm. A federal jury found him guilty in June 2014. In November 2014, U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Osmakac to 40 years' imprisonment.
According to testimony
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TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 21 -- The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, W. Stephen Muldrow, issued the following news release:
Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the conviction and sentence of Sami Osmakac (30, Pinellas Park) for attempted use of weapons of mass destruction and possession of a fully automatic firearm. A federal jury found him guilty in June 2014. In November 2014, U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Osmakac to 40 years' imprisonment.
According to testimonyand evidence presented at trial, on January 7, 2012, as part of a terrorist plot, Osmakac attempted to use weapons of mass destruction, including a car bomb, grenades, and a suicide explosive, at two locations in the Tampa Bay area, specifically; MacDinton's Irish Pub and the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Additionally, on January 7, 2012, Osmakac possessed a machinegun without the firearm being registered to him on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
On appeal, Osmakac argued that his surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) had violated the law, that a misstatement by the government during closing arguments had made his trial unfair, and that the district court should have imposed a lower sentence based on the government's purported sentencing-factor manipulation.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected each of these arguments. The evidence at trial, the Court observed, had established that, as early as December 2010, Osmakac had "demonstrated a commitment to Islamic extremism." As to the FISA argument, the Court held that the surveillance of Osmakac pursuant to FISA had been proper and constitutional. The Court also held that the government's misstatement in closing argument had been corrected by the district court and had been counteracted by the "substantial evidence of Osmakac's guilt." Finally, the Court held that the district court had correctly rejected Osmakac's sentencing-factor manipulation argument because Osmakac, not the government, had "initiated and greatly escalated the planned terrorist attack by asking" to use weapons of mass destruction as part of his violent plot. The Court further noted that, even though Osmakac had "multiple chances" to decline to use a car bomb, "he never did, even after multiple warnings."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted in the district court by Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney and Trial Attorney Clement McGovern from the National Security Division at the Department of Justice. The appeal was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Cherie L. Krigsman, David P. Rhodes, and Sara C. Sweeney.
EPA Spokesperson Issues Statement on New York Times Article on Chlorpyrifos
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following statement by spokesperson Amy Graham:
"Good Morning
"After a monumental mistake where the New York Times (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-r/) was caught peddling false information, they're at it again.
"Last night, the New York Times' Eric Lipton and Roni Rabin reported on false facts about the EPA's decision not to ban the pesticide Chlorpyrifos and the decision to continue the review regarding the pesticide.
"Specifically speaking, they left out that the EPA's decision was upheld
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following statement by spokesperson Amy Graham:
"Good Morning
"After a monumental mistake where the New York Times (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-r/) was caught peddling false information, they're at it again.
"Last night, the New York Times' Eric Lipton and Roni Rabin reported on false facts about the EPA's decision not to ban the pesticide Chlorpyrifos and the decision to continue the review regarding the pesticide.
"Specifically speaking, they left out that the EPA's decision was upheldby the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which was not included in the story. Additionally, they took the drastic step of omitting words from the EPA's one-sentence statement in response to their story that reminded Americans that the USDA had scientific concerns about the decision from Obama's EPA.
"Given that the New York Times never lets the truth get in the way of a good story, below is our official statement that was provided to them, along with some inconvenient facts that their story left out.
"Taking emails out of context doesn't change the fact that we continue to examine the science surrounding chlorpyifos, while taking into account USDA's scientific concerns with methodology used by the previous administration."
* * *
BACKGROUND ...
San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court rejects greens' appeal of EPA decision not to ban pesticide. "A federal appeals court rejected a request from environmental groups to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision not to restrict the controversial pesticide chlorpyrifos." (The Hill (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-y/), 07/18/17)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture supported Pruitt's action. "'This is a welcome decision grounded in evidence and science,' said Sheryl Kunickis, director of the Office of Pest Management Policy at USDA. 'It means that this important pest management tool will remain available to growers, helping to ensure an abundant and affordable food supply for this nation and the world. This frees American farmers from significant trade disruptions that could have been caused by an unnecessary, unilateral revocation of chlorpyrifos tolerances in the United States. It is also great news for consumers, who will continue to have access to a full range of both domestic and imported fruits and vegetables. We thank our colleagues at EPA for their hard work.'" (Food Safety News (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-j/), 03/31/17)
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture also objected to Obama's EPA methodology. "Similarly, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture also objected to EPA's methodology. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) also expressed concerns with regard to EPA's previous reliance on certain data the agency had used to support its proposal to ban the pesticide." (Food Safety News (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-t/), 03/31/17)
The Washington Post: New York Times guilty of large screw-up on climate-change story. "The New York Times on Wednesday appended a correction to a story about a climate change study: Correction: August 9, 2017 -- An article on Tuesday about a sweeping federal climate change report referred incorrectly to the availability of the report. While it was not widely publicized, the report was uploaded by the nonprofit Internet Archive in January; it was not first made public by The New York Times. That correction, which sits at the foot of the story, dutifully straightens out the record. Yet given the magnitude of the screw-up, it should sit atop the story, surrounded by red flashing lights and perhaps an audio track to instruct readers: Warning: This story once peddled a faulty and damaging premise." (The Washington Post (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-i/), 08/09/17)
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