TYNDALL AFB, Florida, March 12 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem, 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 325th Fighter Wing recently hosted exercise Crown Royal 24-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base Feb. 20-March 6, to test the wing's ability to generate, employ and sustain combat forces. Exercises like CR 24-2 are an Air Force instruction requirement for evaluating combat readiness and improving coordination for various situational requirements. "We   more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 15 (TNSres) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: The ACLU of Massachusetts today called on Somerville City Council to vote to withdraw authorization for unreliable gunshot detection technology in the city. In a letter sent to the City Council today, the ACLU warns that such technology is ineffective and threatens basic civil rights. "Public safety shouldn't rely on unproven, faulty technologies  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 16 (TNScapv) -- Allegany College of Maryland issued the following news release: The Daily Record has named Cynthia S. Bambara, president of Allegany College of Maryland, to its 2024 listing of Maryland's Top 100 Women. In its 29th year, Maryland's Top 100 Women was founded to recognize outstanding achievements by women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring. Nominees were asked to complete an application outlining their  more

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- Americans for Tax Reform issued the following commentary on March 14, 2024: * * * Five Reasons Why the Department of Labor Does Not Deserve More Taxpayer Dollars By Lawson Faulkner The Biden administration has released its annual "Budget of the U.S. Government" for FY 2025 that seeks to expand the size and scope of the federal government across the board. While the presidential budget is largely a messaging document that is dead on arrival with the Republican-controll  more

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news on March 14, 2024: Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released a report on the "Audit of Military Services' Processing of Coronavirus Disease-2019 Vaccination Exemptions and Discharges for Active Duty Service Members." This report outlines concerns identified by the DoD OIG regarding the timely processing   more

SAN DIEGO, California, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: Anthony Duane Bell Sr. and his son, Anthony Duane Bell Jr., were sentenced in federal court today to 65 months and 12 months and one day, respectively, for their roles in fraudulently receiving more than $21 million in Medicare payments and lying to cover it up. The pair, along with others, conspired to commit Medicare fraud by billing  more

FRESNO, California, March 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: Travis Gober, 45, of Hanford, was sentenced to 19 months in prison today for committing health care fraud and aggravated identity theft by submitting more than $1 million in fraudulent claims for sleep studies to Medicare, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court records, Gober owned the VIP Sleep Center, which operate  more

FRESNO, California, March 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: Huu Tieu, 61, of Porterville, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Tieu was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Sunrise Pharmaceutical Inc. and Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical Inc. (collectively, "Golden Sunrise"). Golden  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fair assessment of pharmacy performance and quality under Medicare Part D, and for other purposes (H.R. 5393): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage (H.R. 5380): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consume  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Awning Safety Act (H.R. 6132): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit beneficiary cost  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 5371): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Coverage Determination Clarity Act (H.R. 5396): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Cutting Copays Act (H.R. 5386): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit beneficiary cos  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit benefici  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (H.R. 2365): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect dire  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act (H.R. 3842): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct s  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Expanding Seniors' Access to Lower Cost Medications Act (H.R. 5372): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spe  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Joe Fiandra Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5397): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: *   more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Mandating Exclusive Review of Individual Treatments Act (H.R. 133): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spen  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Medicare PBM Accountability Act (H.R. 5385): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit be  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act (H.R. 6364): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit be  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the National Coverage Determination Transparency Act (H.R. 5389): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending w  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act (H.R. 2880): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would:   more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024for the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (H.R. 1797): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spen  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act (H.R. 5388): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Li  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5202): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect dire  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on March 13, 2024, for the Youth Poisoning Protection Act (H.R. 4310): * * * Summary On December 6, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered 41 pieces of legislation to be reported. This document provides estimates for 21 bills in that package that are related to health care and consumer protection. Generally, the bills in this group that would affect direct spending would: * Limit be  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. Census Bureau issued the following report in January 2024 entitled "History of the American Community Survey:" (Continued from Part 9 of 10) * * * The Promise of Data for Downsizing Government The growing number of data user supporters of continuous measurement became something of a bulwark against renewed threats from Congress to cutback on the content of data collection by the Census Bureau. The new 104th Congress threw the future of both continuou  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 13 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the following news release: General Questions 1. What is a Change Healthcare/ Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP)? A: A CHOPD accelerated or advance payment refers specifically to accelerated/advance payments issued to providers and advance payments issued to suppliers who are experiencing delays in the submission or processing  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) and Don Davis (NC-01) led a bipartisan push this week to increase transparency within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), specifically concerning the program's billing codes. The legislation, titled the Oversight of Medicare Billing Code Cost Act, directs the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to condu  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 (TNSrep) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following management alert on Feb. 29, 2024, regarding the challenges industry stakeholders face with broadband deployment. Here are excerpts: * * * 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: M  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: Ronald Allen, Jr., 54, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today in Superior Court to one count of first-degree theft and one count of false statements for fraudulently obtaining and keeping $31,044 from a Covid-19 tenant assistance program, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Daniel W. Lucas Inspector General for the District of Columbia. At today  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: The bipartisan, independent Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today approved a $500 million loan guarantee for Bapco Energies. The transaction is expected to support approximately 2,100 U.S. jobs in Texas and other states, consistent with EXIM's mission to facilitate American exports and support U.S. jobs. The loan will support  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: Fayetteville, Arkansas - Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) First Vice President and Vice Chair Judith Pryor traveled to Arkansas last week to meet with local businesses, elected officials, and community partners to underscore EXIM's commitment to supporting Arkansas exporters. "It was a privilege to visit Arkansas and meet with exporters and community   more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, March 14 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following news release: Attorney General Ashley Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit secured nearly $150,000 through a multistate action against Lincare Inc., a durable medical equipment supplier. The action resolves allegations that Lincare knowingly submitted, or caused to be submitted, false claims to various government health care programs, including Medicaid, for conduct related to its rentals of non-invasive  more

MIAMI, Florida, March 13 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release: Two former City of Miami Police Department (MPD) employees pled guilty for their involvement in separate COVID-19 relief fraud cases. U.S. v. Sheana Haslem, Case No. 24-20037-Cr-WILLIAMS/GOODMAN On March 6, 2024, Sheana Haslem, 38, who was formerly a MPD Police Staffing Specialist, pled guilty to wire fraud in connection with her fraudulent applications for  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: Amid National Sunshine Week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is spotlighting federal whistleblower disclosure policies and demanding agencies take action to ensure employees know their rights to report wrongdoing. By law, all federal agency nondisclosure policies, forms and agreements must contain an "anti-gag" provision, which informs employees of their right to report waste, fraud or a  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Inspector General issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: Christi A. Grimm, Inspector General (IG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), was selected as one of Modern Healthcare's 2024 "Top Women Leaders in Healthcare" on March 11, 2024. The recognition celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of women across the nation, highlighting their contri  more

HILL AFB, Utah, March 14 -- The U.S. Air Force Hill Air Force Base (75th Air Base Wing) issued the following news: By Micah Garbarino, 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing will test their agile combat employment and readiness capabilities during an exercise here later this month. The exercise, which has been in the planning stages for months, will mirror similar off-station exercises, like Agile Flag and Bamboo Eagle, but will take place at Hill AFB and airfiel  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The House Armed Services Committee issued the following testimony by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III involving a hearing on Feb. 29, 2024, entitled "A Review of Defense Secretary Austin's Unannounced Absence": * * * On behalf of the entire Department of Defense (DoD), I am grateful to this Committee for its continued support for our brave troops, their outstanding families, and our devoted civilian workforce. They are America's greatest strategic asset. As alw  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following news release on March 15, 2024: Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) sent letters to the presidents of: Service Employees International Union; International Brotherhood of Teamsters; United Steelworkers; International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; Internationa  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation issued the following testimony by David Shive, chief information officer of the General Services Administration, involving a hearing on Feb. 29, 2024, entitled "Made in China: Is GSA Complying With Purchasing Restrictions?": * * * Good afternoon, Chair Mace, Ranking Member Connolly, and members of the subcommittee. My name is David Shive, and I am the C  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation issued the following testimony by Robert C. Erickson Jr., deputy inspector general of the General Services Administration, involving a hearing on Feb. 29, 2024, entitled "Made in China: Is GSA Complying With Purchasing Restrictions?": * * * Chairwoman Mace, Ranking Member Connolly, and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for the opportunity to testi  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The House on Feb 13, 2024, published 16 executive communications from the Executive Branch: * * * EC-3098. A letter from the Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, transmitting the "Annual Report to the Congress on the Presidential $1 Coin Program", pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(3)(B); Public Law 97-258 (as amended by Public Law 109-145, Sec. 104); (119 Stat. 2670); to the Committee on Financial Services. EC-3112. A letter from the Secretary, Departme  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The House on Feb. 14, 2024, published 22 executive communications involving regulations that were published in the Federal Register: * * * EC-3135. A letter from the Assistant to the Board, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, transmitting the Board's final rule -- Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions [Docket No.: OP-1793] received January 31, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, S  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The House on Feb 16, 2024, published two executive communications from the Executive Branch: * * * EC-3204. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the Treasury, transmitting a six-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive Order 12957 of March 15, 1995, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); Public Law 94-412, Sec. 401(c); (90 Stat. 1257) and 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); Public Law 95-223, Sec 204(c); (91 Stat. 1627); to the Co  more

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Advancing Scientific Discovery: Assessing the Status of NASA's Science Mission Directorate" at 10 a.m. on March 21, 2024, at 2318 Rayburn House Office Building: Witnesses: * Dr. Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration * Mr. George A. Scott, Acting Inspector General,  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-414) on the FASTA Reform Act (H.R. 6277), which aims to amend the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to improve such Act. The report was advanced by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, on March 7, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose of Legislation The purpose of H.R. 6277, the FASTA Reform Act of 2023, is to amend the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to improve such Act  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Washington, ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Sharice Davids (D-KS) during today's hearing   more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pennsylvania, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: Opening remarks, as prepared, of Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) from today's hearing, entitled, "Disaster Readiness: Examining the Propriety of the Expanded Use of FEMA Resour  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 (TNSrep) -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General issued the following report (No. 2024-BO-1001) on Feb. 15, 2024, entitled "The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Has Opportunities To Improve Its Fair Housing Complaint Intake Process." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Lynn M. Grosso Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, ED From: Kilah S. White, Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 12 -- The Illinois Policy Institute issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: The Illinois Policy Institute today filed complaints (https://illinoispolicy.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7fe208d3c85ffa1d03aeaade4&id=c96810aa25&e=56be2d2c7d) with the Chicago Public Schools inspector general and the Chicago Public Schools ethics advisor regarding a Chicago Teachers Union-sponsored "day of political engagement" that is likely in violation of school district ru  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2024, entitled "Funding Opportunity for Indians Into Medicine." The notice was issued by Roselyn Tso, Director. * * * Announcement Type: New. Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2024-IHS-INMED-0001. Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) Number: 93.970. Key Dates Application Deadline Date: May 14, 2024.  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2024, entitled "Funding Opportunity for Indians Into Nursing." The notice was issued by Roselyn Tso, Director. * * * Announcement Type: New. Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2024-IHS-NU-0001. Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) Number: 93.970. Key Dates Application Deadline Date: May 14, 2024. Ea  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2024, entitled "Funding Opportunity for Indians Into Psychology." The notice was issued by Roselyn Tso, Director. * * * Announcement Type: New. Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2024-IHS-INPSY-0001. Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) Number: 93.970. Key Dates Application Deadline Date: May 14, 202  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The United States filed a complaint alleging that six health plans participating in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) program, as well as their trade group, the US Family Health Plan Alliance, violated the False Claims Act by knowingly retaining erroneously inflated payments for healthcare services the health plans contracted to provide to retired military members and their families. The Un  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: Argus Information & Advisory Services Inc. (Argus) has agreed to pay the United States $37 million to resolve claims under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), in connection with its access to and use of credit card data obtained pursuant to contracts with various federal regulators, including the Office of the Comptrol  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine led his colleagues, including Senator Mark R. Warner and Representatives Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Bob Good (R-VA-05), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), in sending a letter to the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Inspector General (IG) sharing stories of Postal Service disruptions and delays across Virgi  more

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, March 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: Yesterday a federal jury convicted a Prospect man of seven felony offenses to include two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, two counts of bank fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering after a seven-day jury trial. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charg  more

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant, Ryan O. Elliott, 47, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting one inmate and writing a false report about the assault of a second inmate in an unrelated incident. Two other former corrections officers at U  more

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: Two Lexington residents, Kelly Harris, 64, and Neal Harris, 57, were found guilty on Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington, following a four-day trial, of eight counts of wire fraud, for obtaining Economic Injury Disaster Loans loans under false pretenses. According to the evidence at trial, from May 5, 2020 through July 25, 2020  more

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana, March 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: Edward L. Angel, Sr., 70, of Shreveport, appeared before United States District Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby today to enter a guilty plea, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Angel pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of government funds. In addition to pleading guilty, Angel agreed to pay restitution in the total amount   more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on March 15, 2024: A Retired Boston Police Captain was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of orchestrating and participating in a long running overtime fraud scheme at the Boston Police Department's (BPD) evidence warehouse that cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent overtime payments. Richard Evans, 65, of Hanover, was convicted  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) in sending a letter to the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Inspector General (IG) sharing stories of Postal Service disruptions and delays across Virginia. The USPS OIG is currently auditin  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) in sending a letter to the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Inspector General (IG) sharing stories of Postal Service disruptions and delays across Virginia. The USPS OIG is currently auditing the R  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 15, 2024: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the guilty pleas and sentencing of Tahir Afzal, 61, Mehmood Ashraf Afzal, 33, both of Frederick, Maryland, and Ayesha Afzal, 34, of Boca Raton, Florida, on charges of Medicaid fraud. On December 13, 2023, the defendants pleaded guilty to defrauding the Maryland and District of Columbia Medicaid programs of mor  more

DETROIT, Michigan, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: A New Baltimore resident was sentenced yesterday to 8 years and 4 months in federal prison following her convictions fo 26 drug-related crimes, including unlawful distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy to unlawfully distribute prescription drug-controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Joining Ison in   more

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina issued the following news release: Family First Home Health Care, Inc. (Family First), a home health care agency located in Gastonia, N.C. (now d/b/a Gaston Piedmont Health Care Inc.), and its owner Marion James (James) have agreed to collectively pay $600,000 to resolve allegations that they knowingly violated the Federal and North Carolina False Claims Acts from January 1, 2015, t  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: A Florida-based employee of an international financial institution was arrested today for obstruction of justice after making false statements to agents about accepting bribes, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Gerardo Fermin Aquino Vargas, 38, of Hollywood, Florida, is charged by complaint with one count of obstruction of justice. Aquin  more

CAMDEN, New Jersey, March 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: A former Atlantic City councilman today admitted falsifying voter registrations, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. MD Hossain Morshed, 50, a former councilman of Atlantic City's Fourth Ward, pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with fraudulent procur  more

BROOKLYN, New York, March 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Cornell Bozier, the former Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (Board) at the Village of Hempstead Housing Authority (VHHA) was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and three counts of federal program br  more

NEW YORK, March 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that SETH MARKIN was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos to 15 months in prison for his participation in a scheme to trade in stock of Pandion Therapeutics ("Pandion") based on material, non-public information that he misappropriated from his t  more

BROOKLYN, New York, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release: Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Rami Saab, also known as "Rami Hasan," was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 10 years in prison for his role as the mastermind of a sprawling conspiracy to fraudulently obtain disaster relief loans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the sentence he is also required to pay re  more

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to two and a half years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for devising a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $550,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan applications that the Small Business   more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to Congress a budget of $151 million in net appropriations for fiscal year 2025. The budget request proposes approximately $995 million in gross budget authority. The budget request also proposes the use of $20 million in carryover funds to offset the nuclear reactor safety budget, resulting in an adjusted gross budget authority of approxi  more

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio issued the following news release: A federal grand jury has charged two Central Ohio women with crimes related to fraudulently receiving more than $2.8 million total in covid-relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Lorie A. Schaefer, 62, of Westerville, allegedly received nearly $1.9 million in covid-relief funds by fraudulently claiming an affiliation with an Ohio pizza company. Acc  more

TOLEDO, Ohio, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio issued the following news release: Gregory J. Gerber, age 58, of Port Clinton, Ohio, was sentenced to prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, II after earlier pleading guilty to illegally dispensing narcotics to patients. Gerber was sentenced to 42 months imprisonment to be followed by one year of home confinement for the first of 3 years of supervised release. Gerber was also ordered to pay a $100  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued the following news release: United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Nishi Patel, MD, a physician who received his medical training at Drexel University, will pay $95,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by ordering medically unnecessary genetic testing for Medicare beneficiaries. Between August 2018 and May 2020, Dr. Patel referr  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-088-R24) on Feb. 27, 2024, entitled "Contract Trucking Safety and Compliance." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service and its contracted trucking companies and drivers play a key role in transporting and maintaining the safety and security of the mail. The Postal Service has approximately 4,600 trucking contracts (highway contract routes and freight auction service  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following white paper (No. RISC-WP-24-003) on March 5, 2024, entitled "Variations and Trends in Postal Regulatory Oversight." Here are excerpts: * * * * Unlike most of its international peers, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) only oversees the postal sector rather than multiple sectors. Further, it is unique in that it oversees only one entity, the Postal Service, and not the entire postal sector. * The U.S. p  more

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico issued the following news release: On March 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a 17-count indictment charging Myrna Faria, a.k.a. Myrna Oliveras-Santiago, with theft of government funds in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 641, mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1341, misuse of Social Security numbers in violation of 41 U.S.C. Sec. 408(a)(8), and aggravated iden  more

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico issued the following news release: On March 7, 2024, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned four indictments charging four U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees assigned to the 65th Infantry Postal Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico with delay of mail in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703(a), announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the Distri  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: Today, Representative Anna Paulina Luna sent a letter signed by herself and Representatives Brandon Williams and Derrick Van Orden outlining their concerns to the Hon. Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy. Representative Luna released the following statement to accompany the letter: "The strength of our military relies greatly on the mental well-being of our service members. Unfor  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Missouri, issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: Today, Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) led a bipartisan letter to Speaker Johnson requesting the establishment of a select subcommittee under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to investigate the Federal Government's response to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Congressman Burlison released the following statement on his letter to Speaker Johnson: "Today, my co  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, D-Virginia, issued the following commentary to The Hill on March 12, 2024: * * * For The Postal Service, Truck Safety Takes A Back Seat In June 2022, members of the Godines and Everts families were driving to their home in Gillette, Wyo. Traveling behind the family on I-25 as they passed Greeley, Colo. was a freight truck carrying mail on a contract with the U.S. Postal Service. The truck's brakes were out of alignment, it was uninsured,   more

WASHINGTON, March 10 -- Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla., introduced the "Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act" on Feb. 13, 2024. The text of the bill was released on March 5. H.R. 7320. A bill to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdicti  more

WASHINGTON, March 8 -- Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, has issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Representative David Schweikert (AZ-01) introduced the Algorithms Utilized to Detect Institutional Transactions (AUDIT) Act, legislation ensuring the audit of the Department of Defense's financial statements is conducted using artificial intelligence to help streamline the internal review process and usher in a new era of audit. It also mandates that the technology be developed by both th  more

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey, March 16 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 15, 2024: Today, Congressman Van Drew visited Stanley Holmes Village to speak with residents and to view firsthand their inhumane and unsafe living conditions. Following this visit, Congressman Van Drew announced that he is requesting the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to open an investigation into the Atlantic City H  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee issued the following testimony by Rachel U. Greszler, a senior research fellow in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation, involving a hearing on Feb. 28, 2024, entitled "Taking a Serious Look at the Retirement Crisis in America: What Can We Do to Expand Defined Benefit Pension Plans for Workers? * * * My name is Rachel Greszler. I am a senior research fellow at The Her  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The Senate on Feb. 7, 2024, published 12 executive communications from the Executive Branch: * * * EC-3460. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for Legislation, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled "The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman Calendar Year 2020 Report to Congress"; to the Committee on Finance. EC-3461. A communication from the Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission, transmitting  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: Casey has repeatedly pushed for answers from DeJoy for PA constituents after vague and insufficient answers from Postal Service on several matters, from worker pay to tardy ballots Casey: "Pennsylvanians...deserve postal service they can count on." Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing concerns about the  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) in requesting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Inspector General build upon its oversight into the federal agency's telework abuse and expand its investigation into the department's footprint and workforce throughout the country. In a letter, Boozman  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 14 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis County, Missouri pediatrician was indicted Wednesday and accused of prescribing pain pills and other controlled substances in exchange for sex acts or cash. The indictment charges Craig A. Spiegel, 67, with 17 counts of illegal distribution of controlled substances and six counts of making false statements related to  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 (TNSrep) -- The State Department Inspector General issued the following quarterly report to Congress on Operation Enduring Sentinel in February 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * We are pleased to present this Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) report to Congress on Operation Enduring Sentinel (OES). This report discharges our quarterly reporting responsibilities pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. section 419). In October 2021, the Department o  more

LAREDO, Texas, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer has been convicted in two separate federal cases and now faces decades in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Emanuel Isac Celedon, 36, Laredo, pleaded guilty to four counts of bringing an undocumented alien to the United States through the Lincoln Juarez Port of Entry (POE) in Laredo. In a separate  more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release on March 11, 2024: SEATTLE -- A Trinidad and Tobago national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away at the Northwest ICE Processing Center March 7. Charles Leo Daniel, 61, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, was first encountered by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Seattle July 29, 2015, at the Washington Correction  more

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, March 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina issued the following news release: Lemont Antwaun Darby, 37, of Orangeburg, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Evidence presented to the court showed that Lemont Darby was a drug dealer who regularly received packages of marijuana through the U.S. Mail from California and elsewhere. Mjaan Roland, 31, of Chapi  more

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Thursday admitted using his brother's identity to fraudulently obtain about $31,700 from the Missouri Medicaid Program. Christopher J. Spencer, 46, waived indictment by a grand jury and pleaded guilty to five counts of making false statements relating to health care benefits. Spencer admitted making false st  more

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia issued the following news release: Argus Information & Advisory Services, Inc. (Argus) has agreed to pay the United States $37 million to resolve claims under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), involving allegations that Argus improperly accessed, used, and retained anonymized credit card data received pursuant to contract  more

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, March 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa issued the following news release: A former Cedar Rapids, Iowa, resident who helped other individuals procure more than 30 false and fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic loans, valued at more than $600,000, was sentenced on March 8, 2024, to six months in federal prison. Diamond Davies, age 24, from Maple Grove, Minnesota, received the prison term after a July 31, 2023 guilty plea to one count of wire frau  more

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, March 13 -- The U.S. Election Assistance Commission issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announced Brianna Schletz has been named as the new executive director of the agency. The agency followed the formal search process as designated by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and Ms. Schletz was unanimously appointed by the EAC Commissioners. She began her term as the EAC's inspector general in November 2021, and   more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: Today, the U.S Postal Service (USPS) and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced an update on Project Safe Delivery, a joint initiative to protect postal employees and secure the nation's mail and packages. The initiative was launched in May 2023 in direct response to rising crime across the nation that has led to increased threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news on March 13, 2024: Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released a summary of the previously-released report of the OIG's "Audit of Enhanced End-Use Monitoring of Sensitive Equipment Given to the Government of Iraq." The audit examined the extent to which the DoD conducted enhanced end-use monitoring   more

BURLINGTON, Vermont, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: The United States Attorney's Office announced that Paul Hendler, 52, of Burlington, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Burlington to a total of 36 months of imprisonment following his guilty plea to a federal forgery charge. As part of these court proceedings, Hendler also admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised relea  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release on March 12, 2024: * * * For years, Senator Warren has led the fight for an easy and free option for Americans to file taxes directly with the IRS. Boston, MA -- Today, in response to the official launch of the IRS Direct File pilot program in 12 states, including Massachusetts, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: "This is the start of American taxp  more

TACOMA, Washington, March 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington issued the following news release on March 14, 2024: A 45-year-old Nigerian citizen who defrauded U.S. COVID relief programs from his home in Canada, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali, was arrested in February 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany, as h  more

RICHLAND, Washington, March 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington issued the following news release: Physician William Edward Salko, D.O., formerly of Richland, Washington, and Jackson & Coker LocumTenens, LLC (JCLT) agreed to pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that they participated in a kick-back scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) and diagnostic laboratory testing announced Vanessa R. Waldref, the United St  more

SEATTLE, Washington, March 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington issued the following news release on March 13, 2024: A 62-year-old Seattle woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 52 consecutive weekends (208 days) of confinement at FDC-SeaTac beginning on March 22, 2024 as a special condition of a 3-year term of supervision for her scheme to steal nearly half a million dollars in COVID 19 benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. G  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) joined Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Rep. Bob Good (VA-05), and Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) in sending a letter to the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Inspector General (IG), sharing stories of Postal Service disruptions and delays across Virginia. The USPS Office o  more