Federal - Executive Branch
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.
Featured Stories
Troy Finnegan Appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Administration and Management
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management issued the following news release on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Troy Finnegan Appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Administration and Management
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the appointment of Troy W. Finnegan as assistant secretary for administration and management.
"It is an honor to return to the department and continue serving an administration that believes in the limitless potential of American job creators and workers," said Finnegan.
Finnegan previously
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management issued the following news release on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Troy Finnegan Appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Administration and Management
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the appointment of Troy W. Finnegan as assistant secretary for administration and management.
"It is an honor to return to the department and continue serving an administration that believes in the limitless potential of American job creators and workers," said Finnegan.
Finnegan previouslyserved as executive secretary to the secretary of labor, where he managed department correspondence and high-level administrative processes. He also brings extensive legal expertise to the department, formerly working as special counsel at Akerman LLP and as general counsel for one of Florida's largest philanthropic organizations, Dr. Phillips Charities.
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Original text here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/oasam/oasam20250213
Texas U.S. Attorney: Truck Driver Pleads Guilty to Smuggling 36 Illegal Aliens in Trailer
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Feb. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release:
A 33-year-old Alamo resident has admitted to charges of human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
On Dec. 13, 2024, Eusebio Cavazos drove a tractor-trailer into the primary inspection lane at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita. Upon initial inspection, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of humans in the trailer.
Authorities referred him to secondary where they discovered 36 illegal aliens in the back of the trailer and nothing
... Show Full Article
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Feb. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release:
A 33-year-old Alamo resident has admitted to charges of human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
On Dec. 13, 2024, Eusebio Cavazos drove a tractor-trailer into the primary inspection lane at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita. Upon initial inspection, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of humans in the trailer.
Authorities referred him to secondary where they discovered 36 illegal aliens in the back of the trailer and nothingelse.
A total of 15 were from Guatemala, 10 from Honduras, eight from Mexico and three from El Salvador. All were illegally present in the United States, five of whom had allegedly been previously removed and have pending charges for illegal re-entry.
Cavazos admitted someone had hired him to drive all 36 illegal aliens from a point near Donna to Houston.
He expected to receive $1,000 per alien he was transporting.
"As we have unfortunately seen in prior instances, smuggling of people via a tractor trailer is extremely dangerous and can lead to mass casualties," said Ganjei. "As the Department of Justice works to secure the border and bring down demand for smugglers, we simultaneously expect to see a decrease in the number of people transported through such means."
U.S. District Judge David Morales will impose sentencing May 15. At that time, Cavazos faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 possible fine.
Cavazos has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/truck-driver-pleads-guilty-smuggling-36-illegal-aliens-trailer
SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Massachusetts Man Found Liable in Multi-Year Insider Trading Scheme
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:18-cv-10657; D. Mass. filed Apr. 5, 2018) involving Charlie Jinan Chen:
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On January 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a final judgment against defendant Charlie Jinan Chen after jurors returned a verdict in February 2020 finding that Chen engaged in illegal insider trading in advance of five earnings announcements of Massachusetts-based company Vistaprint N.V.
The SEC's evidence at trial showed that Chen knowingly traded in the securities
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:18-cv-10657; D. Mass. filed Apr. 5, 2018) involving Charlie Jinan Chen:
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On January 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a final judgment against defendant Charlie Jinan Chen after jurors returned a verdict in February 2020 finding that Chen engaged in illegal insider trading in advance of five earnings announcements of Massachusetts-based company Vistaprint N.V.
The SEC's evidence at trial showed that Chen knowingly traded in the securitiesof Vistaprint, an e-commerce company, based on material non-public information provided to him by a family friend who was a Vistaprint insider or the friend's spouse. According to the evidence, the information Chen received enabled him to purchase options ahead of several quarterly earnings announcements and profit from the resulting price movement. Chen traded both in a brokerage account in his own name and one in the name of his wife, and made nearly $900,000 from the scheme. The evidence at trial also showed that Chen lied to the FBI about his relationship with the Vistaprint insider.
The jury found Chen liable on all counts, finding that he violated the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933. The final judgment against Chen permanently enjoins him from violating the same antifraud provisions of the securities laws and orders him to pay a civil monetary penalty of $892,827.
The SEC's litigation was handled by Susan Cooke of the Boston Regional Office. The investigation that led to the action was conducted by David H. London and John McCann of the SEC's Boston Regional Office and Michele T. Perillo of the Market Abuse Unit in the Boston Regional Office.
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Resources
* Memorandum And Order (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2025/order26247.pdf)
* Final Judgment (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2025/judg26247.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26247
Ohio-Based Supplier of Aircraft Parts and Three Employees Charged for Illicit Export Scheme Involving Russia
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Ohio-Based Supplier of Aircraft Parts and Three Employees Charged for Illicit Export Scheme Involving Russia
Flighttime Enterprises Inc., an American subsidiary of a Russian aircraft parts supplier, along with three of its current and former employees, have been charged federally with crimes related to a scheme to illegally export aircraft parts and components from the United States to Russia and Russian airline companies without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce.
The
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Ohio-Based Supplier of Aircraft Parts and Three Employees Charged for Illicit Export Scheme Involving Russia
Flighttime Enterprises Inc., an American subsidiary of a Russian aircraft parts supplier, along with three of its current and former employees, have been charged federally with crimes related to a scheme to illegally export aircraft parts and components from the United States to Russia and Russian airline companies without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce.
Thethree individuals charged include Daniela Friery, 43, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Loveland, Ohio; Pavil Iglin, 46, a citizen of Russia who currently resides in Florida pursuant to a non-immigrant visa; and Marat Aysin, 39, a legal permanent resident of the United States who currently resides in Florida.
According to the 11-count indictment unsealed today, the three defendants worked for Flighttime Enterprises Inc., an aircraft equipment supplier with office locations near West Chester, Ohio, and Miami.
As alleged in the indictment, following Russia's further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Flighttime and the individual defendants knowingly and willfully violated and evaded the export restrictions imposed on Russia to ship aviation parts to Russia and Russian end users, including airlines subject to Department of Commerce Temporary Denial Orders, by mislabeling shipments, providing false certifications, and using intermediary companies and countries to obscure the true end destination and end users. The indictment details four specific export transactions totaling more than $2 million.
For example, in June 2022, Flighttime employees allegedly negotiated the purchase of an auxiliary power unit from an American supplier for $395,000. The U.S. supplier initially expressed hesitation about the transaction due to the company's connections to Russia. In connection with the purchase, Aysin falsely told the American supplier that the part would be used to replenish stock in West Chester. Through Aysin, Iglin allegedly signed and dated a Russia end-user certificate with the supplier falsely certifying that the part would not be exported to Russia. The part was thereafter illegally exported to Russia for a Russian aviation company without the required license.
The company and three defendants are each charged with one count of conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), and multiple counts of violating the ECRA, which are federal crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
They are also charged with conspiracy to commit smuggling, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and multiple counts of smuggling, which carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison. Finally, they are each charged with one count of conspiring to launder monetary instruments, a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio; Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Levine of the Office of Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the case.
The FBI and BIS are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy S. Mangan for the Southern District of Ohio is prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorneys Maria Fedor and Menno Goedman of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-based-supplier-aircraft-parts-and-three-employees-charged-illicit-export-scheme
Ohio U.S. Attorney: Ohio-based Supplier of Aircraft Parts and Three Employees Charged for Illicit Export Scheme Involving Russia
CINCINNATI, Ohio, Feb. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio issued the following news release:
Flighttime Enterprises, Inc., an American subsidiary of a Russian aircraft parts supplier, along with three of its current and former employees, have been charged federally with crimes related to a scheme to illegally export aircraft parts and components from the United States to Russia and Russian airline companies without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce.
"We will not tolerate export violations or smuggling of items contrary to U.S. laws to
... Show Full Article
CINCINNATI, Ohio, Feb. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio issued the following news release:
Flighttime Enterprises, Inc., an American subsidiary of a Russian aircraft parts supplier, along with three of its current and former employees, have been charged federally with crimes related to a scheme to illegally export aircraft parts and components from the United States to Russia and Russian airline companies without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce.
"We will not tolerate export violations or smuggling of items contrary to U.S. laws toany part of the world, Russia included," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. "These illicit activities are extremely harmful to our country, regardless of the item that is smuggled. I am confident in the prosecution bringing accountability to the individuals named in the indictment on behalf of the people of the Southern District of Ohio - but even greater, on behalf of our nation."
The three individuals charged include Daniela Friery, 43, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Loveland, Ohio; Pavil Iglin, 46, a citizen of Russia who currently resides in Florida pursuant to a non-immigrant visa; and Marat Aysin, 39, a legal permanent resident of the United States who currently resides in Florida.
According to the 11-count indictment unsealed today, the three defendants worked for Flighttime Enterprises, Inc., an aircraft equipment supplier with office locations near West Chester, Ohio, and Miami, Florida.
As alleged in the indictment, following Russia's further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Flighttime and the individual defendants knowingly and willfully violated and evaded export restrictions imposed on Russia to ship aviation parts to Russia and Russian end users, including airlines subject to Department of Commerce Temporary Denial Orders, by mislabeling shipments, providing false certifications, and using intermediary companies and countries to obscure the true end destination and end users. The indictment details four specific export transactions totaling more than $2 million.
For example, in June 2022, Flighttime employees allegedly negotiated the purchase of an auxiliary power unit from an American supplier for $395,000. The U.S. supplier initially expressed hesitation about the transaction due to the company's connections to Russia. In connection with the purchase, Aysin falsely told the American supplier that the part would be used to replenish stock in West Chester. Through Aysin, Iglin allegedly signed and dated a Russia end-user certificate with the supplier falsely certifying that the part would not be exported to Russia. The part was thereafter illegally exported to Russia for a Russian aviation company without the required license.
The company and three defendants are each charged with one count of conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), and multiple counts of violating the ECRA, which are federal crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
They are also charged with conspiracy to commit smuggling, which carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, and multiple counts of smuggling, which carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
Finally, they are each charged with one count of conspiring to launder monetary instruments, a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Jeffrey Levine, Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office, Office of Export Enforcement (BIS) announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case, along with Trial Attorneys Maria Fedor and Menno Goedman from the Department of Justice's National Security Division Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/ohio-based-supplier-aircraft-parts-and-three-employees-charged-illicit-export-scheme
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Youth Solitude Jackets
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Name of Product: Youth Solitude Jackets
Hazard: The drawstring in the hood of the recalled jackets can get caught on objects and cause death or serious injury to children due to the strangulation hazard. The jackets are in violation of the federal regulations for children's upper outerwear and present a substantial product hazard.
Remedy: Refund/Repair
Recall Date: February 13, 2025
Units: About 820
Consumer Contact: AFTCO toll-free 877-489-4278 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Name of Product: Youth Solitude Jackets
Hazard: The drawstring in the hood of the recalled jackets can get caught on objects and cause death or serious injury to children due to the strangulation hazard. The jackets are in violation of the federal regulations for children's upper outerwear and present a substantial product hazard.
Remedy: Refund/Repair
Recall Date: February 13, 2025
Units: About 820
Consumer Contact: AFTCO toll-free 877-489-4278 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.PT Monday through Friday, via email at recall@aftco.com, or online at www.aftco.com/recall or www.aftco.com and click on "Recall" for more information.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves the black Youth Solitude Rain Jacket sold in youth sizes XS through L. They are made with waterproof nylon, have a retractable drawstring in the hood and have the AFTCO logo on the front. The internal label has the company's logo above the size, care instructions, fiber content and country of origin information. The model number is BJ05. The jackets are black and were sold in the following size ranges: XS (5-6), S (6-7), M (8-10) and L (10-12).
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled jackets away from children and remove the drawstrings to eliminate the strangulation hazard. Consumers can either return the jacket to AFTCO for a full refund or upload a photo of the jacket without the drawstring and receive a $25 gift card. Consumers should go to www.aftco.com/recall to participate in the recall. AFTCO is contacting all known purchasers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: Online at www.aftco.com, and at fishing, camping, and outdoor equipment stores nationwide from November 2018 through August 2024for between $80 and $100.
Importer(s): AFTCO Mfg. Co., of Santa Ana, California
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 25-135
Fast Track Recall
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/AFTCO-Recalls-Youth-Solitude-Jackets-with-Drawstrings-Due-to-Strangulation-Hazard
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving LoGest Climbing Ropes With Carabiners, LoGest Climbing Ropes With Heavy-Duty Metal Hooks
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Name of Product: LoGest Climbing Ropes with Carabiners and LoGest Climbing Ropes with Heavy-Duty Metal Hooks
Hazard: The climbing ropes can weaken and break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: February 13, 2025
Units: About 22,500 (In addition, about 350 were sold in Canada and about 25 were sold in Mexico)
Consumer Contact: Setsmart by email at LoGestRecall@gmail.com or at www.LoGestRopeRecall.com.
Recall Details
Description: The recalled
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Feb. 13, 2025:
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Name of Product: LoGest Climbing Ropes with Carabiners and LoGest Climbing Ropes with Heavy-Duty Metal Hooks
Hazard: The climbing ropes can weaken and break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: February 13, 2025
Units: About 22,500 (In addition, about 350 were sold in Canada and about 25 were sold in Mexico)
Consumer Contact: Setsmart by email at LoGestRecall@gmail.com or at www.LoGestRopeRecall.com.
Recall Details
Description: The recalledclimbing ropes are made of hemp and were sold in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 50 feet lengths. The LoGest Climbing Rope with Carabiner has a silver "D" ring and a silver climbing carabiner attached. The LoGest Climbing Rope with Heavy-Duty Metal Hook has a blue stripe running through the brown hemp rope, and has one end with a black metal hook attached with two silver bolts and nuts. Both ropes have "LoGest" written in large white text on the black plastic on the ends of the ropes.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the climbing ropes, uninstall them, and register for a full refund at www.LoGestRopeRecall.com. Consumers will receive a form to sign as part of the disposal of the climbing ropes. Consumers must follow the disposal directions on the form and email a photo of the disposed rope to LoGestRecall@gmail.com to receive their refund. Full refunds will be issued via Amazon to the original form of payment associated with the order. Amazon is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: LoGest has received 13 reports of the recalled ropes breaking, including one report of a fall that resulted in a severe spinal cord injury.
Sold At: Online at Amazon.com from March 2021 through November 2024 for between $20 and $70.
Importer(s): Setsmart LLC, of Brooklyn, New York
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 25-130
Fast Track Recall
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Setsmart-Recalls-LoGest-Climbing-Ropes-Due-to-Fall-Hazard
