Federal Executive Branch
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U.S. Justice Department Moves to Intervene in Race Discrimination Lawsuit Challenging Reparations Program in Evanston, Illinois
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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U.S. Justice Department Moves to Intervene in Race Discrimination Lawsuit Challenging Reparations Program in Evanston, Illinois
Today, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division moved to intervene in a lawsuit challenging a program by the City of Evanston, Illinois, that distributes cash payments and financial assistance for housing solely to black persons, and their descendants, and not to similarly situated persons of other races. The United States' proposed complaint in intervention
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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U.S. Justice Department Moves to Intervene in Race Discrimination Lawsuit Challenging Reparations Program in Evanston, Illinois
Today, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division moved to intervene in a lawsuit challenging a program by the City of Evanston, Illinois, that distributes cash payments and financial assistance for housing solely to black persons, and their descendants, and not to similarly situated persons of other races. The United States' proposed complaint in interventionalleges that the city's actions violate the Equal Protection Cause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Fair Housing Act.
"Under the pretext of paying reparations for events more than 100 years ago, the City of Evanston has chosen to distribute millions of dollars in cash and housing benefits to people because of the color of their skin or the color of the skin of their parents, grandparents, or great grandparents," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "There are sound ways for a city to remedy past discrimination or direct resources to its most vulnerable citizens and neighborhoods. Simply handing out money based on race, however, is not the answer. It is race discrimination, pure and simple. And it is illegal."
"The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that government actions classifying citizens by race are presumptively unconstitutional," said U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. "The Constitution demands that the government treat citizens as individuals, not as members of a racial class. Distributing public funds based on an individual's ancestry or race divides the citizenry and establishes the very hierarchy the Equal Protection Clause was designed to dismantle."
In 2019, the city adopted the "Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program." Under this program, black persons who lived in the City of Evanston as an adult at any time between 1919 and 1969, as well as their children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren, can receive $25,000 in the form of cash payments, which the recipient can use for any purpose, or financial assistance for purchasing, repairing, or maintaining a primary residence in the city. The city has not identified any specific acts of discrimination that violated the constitution or a statute that these payments are intended to remedy. Nor does the city require any evidence that recipients or their ancestors experienced discrimination when they lived in the city. Race alone determines whether a current or former resident or their descendant receives $25,000 in cash or financial assistance for housing. To date, the city has paid over $5 million and it plans to distribute millions more as funds become available.
In 2024, descendants of persons who had lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969, but who were not black, filed a lawsuit, Flinn, et al. v. City of Evanston, No. 24-cv-4269 (N.D. Ill.), challenging their exclusion from the city's program as a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The court denied the city's motion to dismiss the lawsuit in March 2026. That same month, the United States opened an investigation of the program under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Fair Housing Act. The city refused to cooperate in the United States' investigation. The United States now seeks to intervene in the lawsuit.
The United States alleges that the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It also alleges that by offering and providing financial assistance for housing because of race, the city has violated the Fair Housing Act.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-justice-department-moves-intervene-race-discrimination-lawsuit-challenging-reparations
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General Returns Over $512M in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims to U.S. Treasury
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General Returns Over $512M in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims to U.S. Treasury
Second major recovery from Maryland brings total fraudulent CARES Act funds returned to over $1 billion
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and its Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the successful return of approximately $512,138,478.40 in recovered fraudulent CARES Act funds. This marks the second major recovery from
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General Returns Over $512M in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims to U.S. Treasury
Second major recovery from Maryland brings total fraudulent CARES Act funds returned to over $1 billion
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and its Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the successful return of approximately $512,138,478.40 in recovered fraudulent CARES Act funds. This marks the second major recovery fromthe Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance, totaling over $1 billion in the state's returned funds.
"Today's return of hard-earned American taxpayer dollars represents more than a financial recovery--it reinforces our commitment to protecting American workers and the programs they depend on," said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. "This result was made possible through close coordination with the Department's Office of Inspector General. Together, we are restoring trust and integrity in these programs and putting money back where it belongs--in the pockets of hardworking Americans."
These recoveries are the direct result of the Maryland Labor Department's continued efforts to strengthen program integrity and combat fraud. Working with a financial institution, Maryland was able to identify and freeze the suspicious funds that were flagged by the Department and its OIG.
"This is accountability in action--half a billion dollars in stolen taxpayer funds--identified, frozen, and returned to the Treasury. Through continued collaboration with the Department and Acting Secretary Sonderling, we were able to produce real, measurable results for the American people," said Anthony P. D'Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. "This recovery represents a major victory for the American taxpayer and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to clawing back every stolen dollar."
Due to coordinated recovery efforts and unprecedented collaboration between the DOL and OIG, the funds were transmitted to the U.S. Treasury.
For additional information on DOL OIG, please visit oig.dol.gov. If you suspect wrongdoing involving DOL programs or operations, contact the DOL-OIG Hotline at (800) 347-3756 or oig.dol.gov/hotlinecontact.htm.
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Original text here: https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/Press%20Releases/OIG-Press-Release-061626.htm
State Department Issues Public Schedule for June 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for June 17, 2026:
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SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
Secretary Rubio joins President Trump on travel to France from June 15-17, 2026.
Secretary Rubio follows President Trump's schedule in Evian, France.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU
11:00 a.m. Deputy Secretary Landau participates in a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony on Nuclear Cooperation with Dominican Republic Minister of Energy and Mines Joel Adrian Santos Echavarria at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARY
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for June 17, 2026:
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SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
Secretary Rubio joins President Trump on travel to France from June 15-17, 2026.
Secretary Rubio follows President Trump's schedule in Evian, France.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU
11:00 a.m. Deputy Secretary Landau participates in a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony on Nuclear Cooperation with Dominican Republic Minister of Energy and Mines Joel Adrian Santos Echavarria at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARYOF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS
Deputy Secretary Rigas has no public appointments.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS ALLISON M. HOOKER
11:45 a.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Danish Ambassador to the United States Jesper Moller Sorensen at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
1:45 p.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Director Yossi Amrani at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with SK Hynix Vice President and Head of Global Business Policy Seojin Yang at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
4:00 p.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Ghanaian Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dominic Akuritinga Ayine at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
UNDER SECRETARY FOR ARMS CONTROL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY THOMAS G. DINANNO
Under Secretary DiNanno is on travel to Poland, Czechia, and France from June 10-17, 2026.
BRIEFING SCHEDULE
No Department Press Briefing.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/06/public-schedule-june-17-2026/
Secretary of War Hegseth Welcomes Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to Pentagon to Advance Counter-Cartel Cooperation
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- During a meeting at the Pentagon on June 15, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to discuss strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and eradicating narco-terrorist trafficking networks. Hegseth praised Noboa for his leadership as a founding member of the Shield of the Americas initiative and the America's Counter Cartel Coalition, emphasizing the commitment of the U.S. to operationalizing joint capabilities across the hemisphere.
Noboa highlighted Ecuador's ongoing efforts to support neighboring nations like Bolivia, Peru,
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- During a meeting at the Pentagon on June 15, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to discuss strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and eradicating narco-terrorist trafficking networks. Hegseth praised Noboa for his leadership as a founding member of the Shield of the Americas initiative and the America's Counter Cartel Coalition, emphasizing the commitment of the U.S. to operationalizing joint capabilities across the hemisphere.
Noboa highlighted Ecuador's ongoing efforts to support neighboring nations like Bolivia, Peru,and Colombia against regional extremist threats that are rapidly adapting. Rather than relying on traditional foreign aid, Noboa expressed a preference for trade and investment partnerships to sustainably finance and support these security operations.
(Gemini used for hed/lede - MV)
-- Marlyn T. Vitin, Targeted News Service
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Here is the transcript of the meeting:
SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Well, Mr. President, President Noboa, it is an honor to meet with you here, here at the Pentagon. I hope you've been well since we last spoke in February, and our countries are cooperating even more, which we deeply welcome. It was some incredible soccer, as we say, in Philadelphia yesterday - 90 minutes of scoreless play.
Tough one, but as you said, I think you've got more in the tank. Good things ahead in the World Cup and we're honored to be hosting here and securing it, so good luck going forward, for sure.
PRESIDENT DANIEL NOBOA: Thank you.
SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: And it's our privilege to welcome you to the Pentagon, because of our strong security and defense cooperation and, frankly, because of your strong leadership. I mean, none of that happens without strong leaders willing to step up and do the right thing, and you have been exemplary in that, and we appreciate that. And thank you for being a founding member of President Trump's Shield of the Americas and our America's Counter Cartel Coalition, 'A Triple C'. Which, that conference and that formulation was only the beginning.
I think what the world has seen is that this department is not about putting things on paper; it's about operationalizing capabilities, so that we're getting after the threats that we face and that you face, and that's eradicating narco terrorist trafficking and destroying those networks in Ecuador and throughout Central and South America.
You have been a model partner with us to counter these networks that threaten your homeland, that threaten our homeland and the security of our shared hemisphere. So, Mr. President, thank you for that steadfast commitment. From President Trump as well, who is well aware of how much the country of Ecuador has stepped up in this realm and that - nothing means more to President Trump than countries who are willing to carry their own weight, and we feel the same way.
And so, we appreciate your leadership and look forward to a lot of progress ahead. So President Noboa, success, as we say here, is our only option. We're fully committed to it. We've got our team behind you, and we're proud to welcome you to the Pentagon. Thank you for being here.
PRESIDENT DANIEL NOBOA: Thank you. Thank you for hosting us. We're very excited to have this meeting with your team. We've been talking for a few days on the points that we should discuss today. And I said, we are two nations that are aligned in the pursuit of peace and progress for our people. That's exactly what I wrote in the - in the visitor's book.
And we're not only worried about carrying our own weight, but also influencing the region, helping others, because there's never a point where all nations in America are aligned. Sometimes one is having an issue, another one is having political problems, another one's having a different kind of conflict.
But to be able to work together and to support other nations, like we've done in the last few weeks with Bolivia, like we've done with Peru.
SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: That's right.
PRESIDENT DANIEL NOBOA: The way that we're helping Colombia as well, that's what's going to make the difference. Because on the other side, evil always works together and they always find a way of working together in our nations.
If we don't do the same when we have our own set of problems, then we're doomed to failure. Today, we would like to tell you a little bit of what we're doing in Ecuador, what we're doing different than other nations and the challenges, because there's going to be challenges in the next few years. The extremists are pushing back. They're adapting, and it's time to move fast, so that they cannot adapt to what we're doing.
Another important aspect is - how can we finance; how can we support those operations? And there's ways of doing it together. Since day one I haven't been a big fan of aid, but I'm a big fan of trade, of investment, and things that we can do together to have profitable operations that those operations will support and will finance security operations in the region.
That's the way of creating a positive environment and cycle, instead of a negative one. In the past, I think, in some cases, there was aid needed, especially natural disasters, but it became - made some nations lazy. There's no creativity in how to solve the problems because they just made a couple of calls and problems were solved.
Now, you know, we've been used to fighting an unconventional war and solving our own problems in a much more creative way. So now, if we have, in addition to that, your support, the investment of the United States and joint operations, I'm sure we can solve the security issue very quickly and also protect our hemisphere.
SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Excellent. Well, we're eager to advancing that conversation today. So thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
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Original text here: https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4517743/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-greets-his-excellency-daniel-noboa-the-president/
FDA Center for Drug Evaluation & Research Issues Warning Letter to Medica Weight Loss
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following warning letter to Medica Weight Loss from its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research:
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Recipient: Medica Weight Loss, 3301 NE 183rd St, Aventura, FL 33160, United States, info@medicaweightloss.com
Issuing Office: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), United States
WARNING LETTER
Reference number: MARCS-CMS 728284
To Medica Weight Loss:
This warning letter advises you of significant violations identified during a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration issued the following warning letter to Medica Weight Loss from its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research:
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Recipient: Medica Weight Loss, 3301 NE 183rd St, Aventura, FL 33160, United States, info@medicaweightloss.com
Issuing Office: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), United States
WARNING LETTER
Reference number: MARCS-CMS 728284
To Medica Weight Loss:
This warning letter advises you of significant violations identified during a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)review of your website. Promptly address the violations described herein without delay, including ensuring that appropriate resources are allocated to fully address the violations and prevent their recurrence. The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations that may exist in connection with your products. It is your responsibility to ensure that your firm complies with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations. Failure to adequately address any violations may result in legal action without further notice, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.
FDA Review
Violations were identified and documented during a review of Medica Weight Loss' website, https://medicaweightloss.com, FDA Establishment Identifier (FEI) 3044019522, in March 2026. FDA observed that your website offers compounded drug products, including semaglutide and tirzepatide products./1 As described below, your website's false or misleading claims concerning compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products under sections 502(a) and 502(bb) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 352(a) and 352(bb)], result in products being introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce in violation of section 301(a) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 331(a)]. This review was conducted under FDA's public health responsibilities to protect the public from unsafe, ineffective, and poor quality drug products.
Violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
The following are violations identified during our review. As a reminder, this is not an all-inclusive list of violations that may exist in connection with your products or operations.
Your representations regarding compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products are false or misleading. Under section 502(a) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 352(a)], a drug product is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading in any particular. Furthermore, under section 502(bb) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 352(bb)], a compounded drug product is misbranded if its advertising or promotion is false or misleading in any particular.
More specifically,
1. The compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products displayed on your website identify "medica weight loss" on the pictured label, suggesting Medica Weight Loss is the compounder of those drugs when in fact it is not./2
2. The following claims concerning compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products appear on your website:
* "Clinical studies and FDA approval support [semaglutide's] safety and effectiveness...."
* "Tirzepatide is FDA-approved...."
Compounded drug products are not FDA-approved. Your claims represent that the compounded drug products you offer have been FDA-approved or otherwise evaluated for safety and effectiveness when they have not.
3. Your website claims that the compounded drug products it offers are sourced from an "FDA-approved pharmacy." Compounding facilities, including pharmacies and outsourcing facilities, are not "FDA-approved" or "FDA-licensed" entities. The FD&C Act does not establish an "FDA-approved" or "FDA-licensed" designation for pharmacies or outsourcing facilities./3 Therefore, representing a compounding pharmacy or outsourcing facility as "FDA-approved" or "FDA-licensed" is false and misleading, as these terms imply a formal authorization that FDA does not grant to such entities or their compounded products.
Accordingly, these representations cause your compounded drug products to be misbranded under sections 502(a) and 502(bb) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 352(a) and (bb)]. The introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of these misbranded drug products is a prohibited act under section 301(a) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 331(a)]. The violations described in this letter put you on notice of our concerns but may not represent an exhaustive list of violations. Please be advised, the receipt in interstate commerce of misbranded drug products, and the delivery or proffered delivery thereof, is also a violation of section 301(c) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 331(c)].
You are responsible for investigating and determining the root causes of any violations and implementing corrective and preventative measures to ensure future and sustained compliance so that these violations and any others do not occur. It is your responsibility to ensure that your operations comply with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations. For example, compounded drug products must meet the conditions in sections 503A or 503B of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 353a or 353b] in order to be exempt from certain requirements under the FD&C Act, including the new drug approval requirements.
Conclusion
As previously stated, you are responsible for investigating and determining the root causes of any violations and implementing corrective and preventative measures to ensure future and sustained compliance so that these violations and any others do not occur.
Send your written response to the Office of Compounding Quality and Compliance (OCQC) within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)'s Office of Compliance at compoundinginspections@fda.hhs.gov within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of this letter. Identify your written response with reference number MARCS-CMS 728284 and Response to Warning Letter in the subject line of the email. Include the specific steps you have taken to correct any violations, an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. Such steps may include the following:
1. Identifying the entities that produce the compounded drug products offered on your website;
2. Providing a representative sample of labeling for such drug products; and
3. Addressing other website claims that contain false or misleading representations about your compounded drug products or demonstrating that such claims have been modified or removed in light of FD&C Act Sec.Sec. 502(a) and 502(bb) [21 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 352(a) and 352(bb)].
This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you an opportunity to address them. If you have information that you believe demonstrates that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act and FDA regulations, include that information for our consideration. If you cannot completely address this matter within fifteen (15) business days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will do so.
If you are not located in the U.S., please note that drug products that appear to be misbranded may be detained or refused admission. We may advise the appropriate regulatory officials in the country from which you operate that your drug products referenced above appear to be misbranded drug products that cannot be legally sold to consumers in the U.S.
Please note FDA posts warning letters on www.FDA.gov.
Sincerely,
/S/ Matthew J. Lash, JD, Acting Director, Office of Compounding Quality and Compliance, Office of Compliance, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Footnotes:
1/ The semaglutide and tirzepatide products offered on your website are drugs within the meaning of section 201(g) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 321(g)] because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases and/or because they are intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Further, they are "new drugs" within the meaning of section 201(p) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 321(p)] because they are not generally recognized as safe and effective for their labeled uses.
2/ See 21 C.F.R. Sec. 201.1(h)(2) ("The appearance on a drug product label of a person's name without qualification is a representation that the named person is the sole manufacturer of the product. That representation is false and misleading, and the drug product is misbranded under section 502(a) of the act, if the person is not the manufacturer of the product in accordance with this section."); see also FD&C Act Sec. 503(b) [21 U.S.C. Sec. 353(b)], FD&C Act Sec. 503B(a)(10)(A)(ii) [21 U.S.C. Sec. 353b(a)(10)(A)(ii)]. We note that 21 C.F.R. Sec. 201.1(a) does not apply to drug products dispensed in accordance with section 503(b)(1) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 353(b)(1)]. However, see 45 Fed. Reg. 25760, 25765 (Apr. 15, 1980) ("...if the label of a prescription drug product dispensed by a pharmacist does contain a representation as to the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, it must comply with all the provisions of Sec. 201.1...."). In addition, the labels of your drug products as depicted on the website do not indicate that they are dispensed under section 503(b)(1) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 353(b)(1)], nor do they appear to comply with the requirements of section 503(b)(2) [21 U.S.C. Sec. 353(b)(2)].
3/ While an entity may elect to register with FDA as an outsourcing facility under section 503B of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. Sec. 353b], this registration does not constitute FDA approval or licensure of the facility or its compounded drug products. Neither compounders operating under section 503A nor outsourcing facilities operating under section 503B undergo FDA premarket review or approval of their compounded drug products. Compounded drug products are not FDA-approved drugs; they have not been evaluated by FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing as is required for new drug applications (NDAs) or abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs).
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Original text here: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/medica-weight-loss-728284-06082026
FBI Minneapolis Field Office Announces Operation Ballistic Backlog
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The FBI issued the following news release on June 15, 2026:
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FBI Minneapolis Field Office Announces Operation Ballistic Backlog
The Initiative is a partnership Between FBI, ATF, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety to test over 500 firearms in evidence on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
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Rapid City, SD--FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson announced Operation Ballistic Backlog today, an initiative carried out by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in partnership with
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The FBI issued the following news release on June 15, 2026:
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FBI Minneapolis Field Office Announces Operation Ballistic Backlog
The Initiative is a partnership Between FBI, ATF, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety to test over 500 firearms in evidence on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
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Rapid City, SD--FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson announced Operation Ballistic Backlog today, an initiative carried out by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in partnership withthe Oglala Sioux Tribe, Department of Public Safety (OST-DPS), to address a critical need for firearms evidence testing on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This initiative is part of the FBI's larger, overarching surge of investigative resources to address unresolved violent crime on tribal lands called Operation Steadfast Promise.
Other initiatives make up parts of Operation Steadfast Promise. For example, FBI surged investigative resources to support Operation Not Forgotten, now in its fourth year. For 2026, Operation Not Forgotten identified a backlog of approximately 500 serviceable firearms in custody of the OST-DPS which had not been entered into the ATF's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is a crucial investigative tool managed by ATF that compares spent ammunition casings with other evidence found at crime scenes. NIBIN analyzes microscopic tool marks left on casings by the firearm used to discharge the casing and can match those markings to firearms or other spent casings in evidence, often resulting in investigative leads which may help resolve unsolved gun crimes such as assaults and murders. Since its inception, NIBIN has resulted in more than a million investigative leads on unresolved gun crimes. Many of those leads led to the conviction of drug traffickers, gang members, and murderers. The firearms in OST-DPS custody are being test fired at the OST Criminal Justice Center on Pine Ridge. The resulting casings will be run through NIBIN using the ATF's Mobile Testing Lab, now at the FBI's Rapid City Resident Agency during Ballistic Backlog.
"The FBI's Minneapolis Field Office serves all of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, including the tribal lands that share the same geography," said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. "Our agents, analysts, and professional support employees work tenaciously to investigate major crimes on tribal lands, including many gun crimes such as major assaults and murder. This year's initiatives like Ballistic Backlog and Operation Not Forgotten enhance our ability to make meaningful improvements in public safety and violent crime reduction. We appreciate the crucial partnership of ATF and the resources they have brought to bear in this initiative. We are also grateful for the ongoing partnerships with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and United States Attorney Parsons' Office which prosecutes the offenders identified by law enforcement investigations on Pine Ridge."
"NIBIN is one of the most powerful crime gun intelligence tools for law enforcement, and ATF is the agency that operates it nationwide in support of any law enforcement partner that needs it," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Spence Burnett, St. Paul Field Division. "When the FBI came to us and asked for our support on Operation Ballistic Backlog, we didn't hesitate. We brought our NIBIN mobile unit to South Dakota because violent offenders should not be able to hide behind an unsolved case, and we are proud to put that capability to work here in support of the Oglala Sioux Tribe."
"The Tribe sees firsthand the effects of gun violence on our people," said Oglala Sioux Tribe Attorney General Jessica Four Bear. "Many in our communities live in continued apprehension and fear from hearing gunshots throughout the night. This is not acceptable, and it is not the Lakota way of life. As part of this coordinated approach, the Tribe is taking steps to address youth gun violence. Our responsibility is to uphold the law in a manner that honors who we are as Lakota people. We will continue to pursue approaches that reduce youth access to firearms, support families, and promote safety across the Reservation. The Tribe calls for cultural support in our homes and families. We encourage all relatives to remind our youth of Lakota values; respect, generosity, courage, and wisdom, and to model these teachings every day. Lateral violence is not he Lakota way of life. Our strength is found in kinship. Community members are encouraged to report concerns, secure firearms responsibly, and engage youth in cultural activities and mentorship. Together, with vigilance, compassion, and cultural grounding, we will ensure safer nights and a stronger future for the Oglala Nation."
"We hear our relatives' concerns and we share them. Our officers are committed to a visible, consistent presence, and enforcement that keep our families safe," said Jason Lone Hill, Chief of Police, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. "Working with our federal partners strengthens our ability to protect the community with our limited resources."
"Operation Ballistic Backlog is a promise kept by this Administration to clear the backlog of untested firearms evidence and help deliver timely justice to protect the men, women, and children who live in the Pine Ridge Reservation and across South Dakota. Every unexamined cartridge or casing could hold the key to solving a murder or violent crime, and now--thanks to the leadership of the FBI, ATF, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety--we are going to carefully test every piece of available ballistic evidence and follow the evidence where it leads," said U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons.
In a concrete example of how crucial NIBIN testing is to advancing investigations of gun crimes in this community, last week SAC Dotson announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of six-year-old Logan Warrior Goings. On May 5, 2022. Logan was at a family residence in Oglala, near the community of Pine Ridge, when one or more unidentified assailants shot approximately 14 rounds into the home, killing Logan. NIBIN testing linked a firearm found in another part of the state to the murder.
Anyone with information on the murder of Logan Warrior Goings is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit information to tips.fbi.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases
Department of Justice Files Suit to Stop Ongoing Medicaid Fraud Related to New York's $10 Billion Home-Care Program
WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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Department of Justice Files Suit to Stop Ongoing Medicaid Fraud Related to New York's $10 Billion Home-Care Program
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the State of New York Department of Health, New York State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri, and Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), an Alpharetta, Georgia-based company that has managed New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program
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WASHINGTON, June 17 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on June 16, 2026:
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Department of Justice Files Suit to Stop Ongoing Medicaid Fraud Related to New York's $10 Billion Home-Care Program
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the State of New York Department of Health, New York State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri, and Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), an Alpharetta, Georgia-based company that has managed New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Program(CDPAP) since 2025.
"New York's backroom deal with PPL has cost taxpayers millions of dollars and cast countless Medicaid patients to the curb," said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald for the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division. "Today's action is the latest reminder that the Justice Department is mobilizing every available tool to protect taxpayer-funded programs from fraud and corruption."
"One of the Justice Department's key priorities is protecting the public fisc and delivering savings to American taxpayers," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "New York's failure to police a favored vendor that unlawfully siphoned millions of dollars of Medicaid funding is egregious and betrays the public trust. The Justice Department is acting to ensure that federal laws regarding truthful statements and fair dealing in federal health care programs are upheld and to prevent additional harm from being exacted against the public by Public Partnerships LLC and New York."
The lawsuit aims to stop an alleged fraud scheme by which PPL has generated millions of dollars in unauthorized profits funded by federal taxpayers in connection with its takeover of New York's $10 billion-dollar CDPAP program. The lawsuit alleges that the New York Department of Health awarded PPL the lucrative CDPAP contract after conducting a sham bid process, and then, despite learning of PPL's intent to deviate from the representations made in its bid and violate the financial terms of the contract, failed to take action to hold PPL accountable and to protect public funds from misuse, resulting in a fraud scheme that remains unchecked to this day. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin all defendants from making further misrepresentations about the CDPAP program and from charging American taxpayers millions of dollars unauthorized by the contract.
CDPAP is a Medicaid program that provides home care through lay caregivers to Medicaid patients with disabilities or significant medical needs. In spring 2024, the New York Legislature passed a statute that consolidated the management of CDPAP from hundreds of pre-existing "fiscal intermediaries" to a single fiscal intermediary, setting up one of the most lucrative contracts for administering a Medicaid program in the nation. The lawsuit alleges that although New York purported to conduct a fair bidding process to select the single fiscal intermediary during summer 2024, New York pre-selected PPL for the billion-dollar contract by conducting a sham bid process that resulted in PPL being awarded the contract in late 2024.
The lawsuit further alleges that PPL and New York repeatedly made knowing misrepresentations to the public concerning the date by which PPL's transition could be completed, intentionally concealing that, since the contract's inception, both PPL and New York were aware that the transition would likely not be complete by April 1, 2025 - the contractually designated transition date - and would result in severe disruptions to patient care and harm to patients across the state. Worse yet, PPL and New York, without explanation, have disregarded key limits the contract imposed on the revenues and profits PPL was entitled to receive under the contract - limits that were central to the goal of saving hundreds of millions of dollars through the CDPAP transition.
Instead of ensuring that PPL complied with the contract and protecting the American taxpayers, New York has permitted PPL to raid the CDPAP program of millions of dollars in excess revenues, billing at hourly rates in excess of those anticipated by New York prior to the contract award. As a result of PPL's self-dealing and New York's failure to require it to comply with the terms of the contract, the purported cost savings that the CDPAP transition was to provide largely have been erased. To date, New York and PPL repeatedly and willfully have misled the public and the New York Legislature concerning important aspects of the CDPAP transition, including, without limitation, the gross mismanagement of the program by PPL and New York.
This case was investigated by the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch. This case is being litigated by Assistant Director Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorneys Francisco Unger and Shimeng Zhang.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-files-suit-stop-ongoing-medicaid-fraud-related-new-yorks-10-billion-home
