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
Distributed Optimal Power Management for Battery Energy Storage Systems: A Novel Accelerated Tracking ADMM Approach
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
Optimal power management (OPM) is critical for large-scale battery energy storage systems. Today's methods often require formidable computational effort due to the design based on centralized numerical optimization. Thus, this paper investigates computationally distributed OPM where the agents based on the cells communicate over a network to cooperatively solve the OPM problem.
We propose an accelerated tracking alternating direction method of
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
Optimal power management (OPM) is critical for large-scale battery energy storage systems. Today's methods often require formidable computational effort due to the design based on centralized numerical optimization. Thus, this paper investigates computationally distributed OPM where the agents based on the cells communicate over a network to cooperatively solve the OPM problem.
We propose an accelerated tracking alternating direction method ofmultipliers (ADMM) algorithm to solve the distributed OPM. The proposed algorithm embeds dynamic average consensus and Nesterov's acceleration technique in the ADMM algorithm. Not only is the proposed algorithm fully distributed without a need for fusion or aggregating nodes, but it also accelerates convergence.
The paper formulates the OPM in a model predictive control framework where it seeks to regulate the charging/discharging power of each battery cell to minimize the total power losses and promote balanced use of the constituent cells while complying with the safety constraints.
The paper provides ample simulation results to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed distributed OPM in terms of computation and convergence.
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Original text here: https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/distributed-optimal-power-management-battery-energy-storage-systems-novel-accelerated
U.S., UAE Conduct Joint Military Dialogue
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news release:
Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Dave Herndon provided the following readout:
Senior delegations from the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) met April 29-30 in the Pentagon for the annual U.S.-UAE Joint Military Dialogue (JMD).
The JMD is the foremost bilateral defense forum for advancing the U.S.-UAE defense partnership, including reviewing shared security interests as well as discussing a wide range of strategic objectives for the relationship and challenges in the region.
The delegations
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news release:
Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Dave Herndon provided the following readout:
Senior delegations from the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) met April 29-30 in the Pentagon for the annual U.S.-UAE Joint Military Dialogue (JMD).
The JMD is the foremost bilateral defense forum for advancing the U.S.-UAE defense partnership, including reviewing shared security interests as well as discussing a wide range of strategic objectives for the relationship and challenges in the region.
The delegationsdiscussed a broad range of regional and defense issues, including regional threats, current regional security dynamics, counterterrorism, maritime security, air and missile defense, and security cooperation. Specific discussions focused on integrated air and missile defense and cooperation on emerging capabilities. In addition, the U.S. Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA) Director, Mr. Michael R. Laychak, and the UAE Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries, Major General Mubarak Saeed Al Jabri, formalized a bilateral technology security partnership with the signing of the Cooperative Technology Security Program (CTSP) Execution Plan.
The United States and the UAE reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral defense relationship and recognized the UAE as a key partner in addressing regional challenges. Both sides agreed on the importance of the U.S.-UAE strategic partnership as one based on shared interests and shared priorities.
The UAE delegation was led by Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen Eisa Al Mazrouie. The U.S. delegation was led by Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory.
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Original text here: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3760788/us-and-uae-conduct-joint-military-dialogue/
U.S. Embassy Supports Transitional Justice Process to Realize Sustainable Peace and Reconciliation in Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 1 -- The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia issued the following news release:
The effective implementation of Ethiopia's transitional justice policy will bring about lasting peace and reconciliation and strengthen human rights protections and rule of law.
To support Ethiopia's ongoing transitional justice process, the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia brought U.S. transitional justice expert Dr. Sirleaf Matiangai from the University of Maryland's School of Law to Ethiopia April 21 to 27.
Dr. Sirleaf writes and teaches in the areas of international human rights law, post-conflict and
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 1 -- The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia issued the following news release:
The effective implementation of Ethiopia's transitional justice policy will bring about lasting peace and reconciliation and strengthen human rights protections and rule of law.
To support Ethiopia's ongoing transitional justice process, the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia brought U.S. transitional justice expert Dr. Sirleaf Matiangai from the University of Maryland's School of Law to Ethiopia April 21 to 27.
Dr. Sirleaf writes and teaches in the areas of international human rights law, post-conflict andtransitional justice, international criminal law, and global public health law.
During her weeklong visit, Dr. Sirleaf conducted lectures, workshops, and discussions in Addis Ababa and Mekelle with a range of government, civil society, and academic stakeholders on the positive role transitional justice processes play in building sustainable peace and reconciliation.
The United States and Ethiopia share deep people-to-people bonds that ground our 120 years of bilateral relations in an enduring spirit of friendship, respect, partnership, and the shared aspirations for the well-being of the Ethiopian people. That spirit has propelled cooperation in health and education, agriculture and food security, science and the environment, and many other areas where the United States government and the American people have made enduring investments to help improve the lives of all Ethiopians.
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Original text here: https://et.usembassy.gov/u-s-embassy-supports-transitional-justice-process-to-realize-sustainable-peace-and-reconciliation-in-ethiopia/
Travis AFB to Host Readiness Training
TRAVIS AFB, California, May 1 -- The U.S. Air Force's Travis Air Force Base (60th Air Mobility Wing) issued the following news:
Tanker units from across the continental United States will conduct air refueling training between 3 - 11 May in coordination with AF Global Strike Command.
During the training window, there may be an increase in evening aircraft activities with aircraft noise. Public queries or comments about noise may be directed to the 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office by email at 60AMWPA@us.af.mil or by phone at 707-424-2010.
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Original text here: https://www.travis.af.mil/News/Display/Article/3760588/travis-afb-to-host-readiness-training/
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TRAVIS AFB, California, May 1 -- The U.S. Air Force's Travis Air Force Base (60th Air Mobility Wing) issued the following news:
Tanker units from across the continental United States will conduct air refueling training between 3 - 11 May in coordination with AF Global Strike Command.
During the training window, there may be an increase in evening aircraft activities with aircraft noise. Public queries or comments about noise may be directed to the 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office by email at 60AMWPA@us.af.mil or by phone at 707-424-2010.
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Original text here: https://www.travis.af.mil/News/Display/Article/3760588/travis-afb-to-host-readiness-training/
N.Y. U.S. Attorney: Brooklyn Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Dual-Use Electronics Used in Russian Military Drones
BROOKLYN, New York, May 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Nikolay Grigorev pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States for his role in an illicit export control scheme to ship electronic components from the United States to companies affiliated with the Russian military. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. When sentenced, Grigorev faces up to five years in prison. Co-defendants Nikita Arkhipov and Artem Oloviannikov
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BROOKLYN, New York, May 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Nikolay Grigorev pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States for his role in an illicit export control scheme to ship electronic components from the United States to companies affiliated with the Russian military. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. When sentenced, Grigorev faces up to five years in prison. Co-defendants Nikita Arkhipov and Artem Oloviannikovremain at large.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Lisa O. Monaco, United States Deputy Attorney General; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's National Security Division; James Smith; Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office (DOC-BIS-OEE), announced the guilty plea.
"Grigorev admitted today that he conspired to supply Russia with U.S.-sourced, dual-use technologies, knowing full well that his actions violated export controls and sanctions designed to stop those items from being sent to Russia and used in the production of drones like those found on the battlefields in Ukraine," stated United States Attorney Peace. "Today's guilty plea reaffirms that my Office will pursue anyone who violates our export controls and threatens our national security."
"In pleading guilty today, the defendant admitted he conspired to smuggle over $250,000 worth of sensitive American drone technology to Russian companies fueling Putin's unlawful war against Ukraine," stated Deputy Attorney Monaco. "Swift action by agents and prosecutors unraveled a web of fake orders and wire transfers to prevent over 11,500 electronic components from making their way to the Russian war machine. The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who defy our sanctions and export controls to support Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine - whether they're based in New York City or overseas."
"When I visited Ukraine last November, I saw firsthand the death and destruction that such drones and other Russian weapons of war have caused and heard from our counterparts about the importance of stopping the illicit flow of technology to support the Russian war machine," stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen. "Today's plea reinforces our commitment to hold accountable those who violate our laws and our determination to undermine the Russian government's unjustified campaign of aggression against the Ukrainian people."
"Nikolay Grigorev intentionally avoided export controls by masking his business's production and shipment of technologies designed to support Russian military operations, especially its ongoing attacks in Ukraine," stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith. "These sanction violations intentionally subvert those laws designed to protect international trade and illustrate the defendant's malintent in this scheme. The FBI prioritizes all threats to our national security and will disrupt any entity attempting to covertly collaborate with our adversaries"
"Deliberately circumventing U.S. export controls to enable production of drones that support Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the indiscriminate bombing of Ukrainian citizens and critical infrastructure will not be tolerated," stated DOC-BIS-OEE Special Agent-in-Charge Carson. "Today's guilty plea demonstrates the direct impact that OEE investigations have in supporting U.S. national security interests."
As alleged in the indictment, Grigorev utilized a Brooklyn-based corporate entity, Quality Life Cue LLC ("QLC"), to facilitate the scheme. QLC was registered and controlled by Grigorev and Oloviannikov, with Arkhipov utilizing a QLC email account from Russia. Through QLC, the defendants procured dual-use electronic components for entities in Russia involved in the development and manufacture of drones for the Russian war effort in Ukraine. The most notable of these entities is SMT-iLogic, a Russia-based technology company. On or about May 19, 2023, SMT-iLogic was also added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List ("SDN List"). According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, SMT-iLogic is known to be involved in the supply chain for producing Russian military drones used in Russia's war against Ukraine. SMT-iLogic is associated with an entity known as the Special Technology Centre ("STC"). STC is a Russia-based entity that was added to the SDN List on or about December 29, 2016, for assisting the foreign military intelligence agency of Russia's armed forces, commonly known by the acronym "GRU," in conducting signals intelligence operations. On or about January 4, 2017, STC was added by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security to the Entity List for supporting the GRU. STC was involved the production of the "Sea Eagle Orlan 10 UAV," a drone vehicle that has been involved in Russian military operations in Ukraine. STC's largest customer is Russia's Ministry of Defense, which paid STC the equivalent of nearly $99 million between February and August of 2022.
Between October 22, 2021 and February 22, 2022, QLC accounts controlled by Grigorev received wire transactions from SMT-iLogic totaling approximately $272,830. These funds were used almost entirely to make payments to a Brooklyn-based electronics distributor (the "Brooklyn Company") or pay Grigorev's credit cards, which he used to buy goods from the Brooklyn Company. In email and chat communications, the defendants explicitly discussed their efforts to circumvent U.S. export restrictions, including through the use of front companies in third countries, such as Kazakhstan, and they also forwarded invoices listing SMT-iLogic as the recipient of semiconductors and other electronic components purchased from the Brooklyn Company. In addition, in December 2022, in response to negative press coverage of SMT-iLogic, Grigorev forwarded a news article to his co-defendants and stated, "they are already writing about your (sic) guys in articles about how Russia is getting American components for drones." In June 2023, a court-authorized search warrant of Grigorev's residence in Brooklyn resulted in the successful seizure of over 11,500 electronic components that had been purchased from the Brooklyn Company and were awaiting unlawful export to Russia.
The government's case is being handled by the Office's National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell and Kate Mathews are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Mary Clare McMahon. Natalya Savransky, formerly of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, also provided valuable assistance.
Today's actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments' Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.
The Defendant:
NIKOLAY GRIGOREV
AGE: 36
Brooklyn, New York
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/brooklyn-resident-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-unlawfully-export-dual-use-electronics-used
Mass. U.S. Attorney: Co-Owner of Mattapan Plumbing and Heating Supply Company Charged With Filing False Tax Returns and Using Unreported Receipts to Buy Gold Bars
BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
The co-owner of a Mattapan plumbing and heating supply company was charged today with filing false tax returns in connection with a scheme to use millions of dollars of unreported receipts of the business to buy gold bars.
Claudio Poles, 78, of Dorchester, was charged with four counts of filing false tax returns.
According to the charging documents, Poles failed to accurately disclose the company's gross business receipts to its tax preparer,
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on April 30, 2024:
The co-owner of a Mattapan plumbing and heating supply company was charged today with filing false tax returns in connection with a scheme to use millions of dollars of unreported receipts of the business to buy gold bars.
Claudio Poles, 78, of Dorchester, was charged with four counts of filing false tax returns.
According to the charging documents, Poles failed to accurately disclose the company's gross business receipts to its tax preparer,who prepared the company's tax returns using the false information Poles provided. Poles then used some of the unreported gross receipts to purchase more than $10 million of gold and silver bars for himself from bullion dealers. To conceal the nature of the purchases he made from the company's bank accounts for his personal benefit, Poles allegedly described the purchases, in the memo section of the checks, as for "Boilers," "Materials" and "P&H Supp."
The charging documents allege that between 2019 and 2022, Poles falsely and fraudulently reported losses on his individual tax returns and omitted personal income that he received from the business by purchasing the gold and silver bars.
The charge of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to two years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/co-owner-mattapan-plumbing-and-heating-supply-company-charged-filing-false-tax-returns
Fla. U.S. Attorney: Central Florida Man Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Creating Fictitious Payroll That Included His Children
MIAMI, Florida, May 1 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release:
On April 25, a central Florida man was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans and grants under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program (EIDL); after previously pleading guilty to wire fraud.
Jean Robert Dorcius, 68, of Kissimmee, submitted false and fraudulent applications for COVID-19 relief loans that included false revenue and payroll records and fraudulent
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MIAMI, Florida, May 1 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release:
On April 25, a central Florida man was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans and grants under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program (EIDL); after previously pleading guilty to wire fraud.
Jean Robert Dorcius, 68, of Kissimmee, submitted false and fraudulent applications for COVID-19 relief loans that included false revenue and payroll records and fraudulentIRS tax forms. Dorcius received approximately $440,515 in COVID-19 relief funds from the fraudulent scheme. Dorcius transferred $200,000 of the fraudulently obtained funds to his personal accounts. Dorcius also created fictitious payroll records that included himself, his children, and sister.
U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola also ordered Dorcius to forfeit $109,900 to the United States and pay $440,515 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, announced the sentence.
HSI Miami Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Bailyn prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika M. Miranda handled asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case no. 22-cr-20553.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/central-florida-man-sentenced-prison-covid-19-relief-fraud-creating-fictitious-payroll
