Oversight News

Oversight

St. Joseph Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Prison Inmates in Covid Fraud Scheme

A St. Joseph, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to using the stolen identities of prison inmates to fraudulently obtain federal unemployment benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Oversight

Former Board Member of Connecticut Energy Cooperative Sentenced to Prison for Misusing Funds

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney, for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN BILDA, 59, former City of Norwich representative on the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Corporation (“CMEEC”) Board of Directors, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for misusing CMEEC funds

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Oversight

U.S. Resolves Civil Claims Against Medical Device Manufacturer for Falsely Claiming that Chinese Components Sold to the Federal Government Were American Made

The United States has resolved civil claims against a Massachusetts medical device manufacturer for selling Chinese-made products to the federal government that were required by law to have been made in America, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.


Oversight

Former CEO of Connecticut Energy Cooperative Sentenced to Prison for Misusing Funds

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney, for the District of Connecticut, announced that DREW RANKIN, 62, the former chief executive officer of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Corporation (“CMEEC”), was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for misusing CMEEC funds.


Oversight

Spokane Resident Sentenced to 6 Months for COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Natasha Ann Opsal, 41, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. United States District Judge Thomas Rice announced the sentence, the most recent obtained by the COVID-19 Relief Fraud Strike Force.


Oversight

Waterbury Man Admits Theft of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that OLAJUWON HARRINGTON, also known as “OJ Harrington” 31, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a fraud offense related to his theft of pandemic unemployment benefits.


Oversight

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Charged with Attempting to Distribute Methamphetamine and Receiving Bribes

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Hector Hernandez made his initial appearance in federal court today on charges that he agreed to accept $25,000 in bribes to distribute methamphetamine and to open a restricted border gate to allow unauthorized migrants to illegally enter the United States.


Oversight

New Jersey Man Sentenced to 6.75 Years in Prison for Schemes to Steal California Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Eric Michael Jaklitsch, 40, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was sentenced today to six years and nine months in prison for two related COVID-19 fraud cases, one case alleging wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in California and the other case alleging wire fraud in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced


Oversight

Senator Collins Calls for Continued Support from FBI, DEA to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Maine

During hearing, Senator Collins discussed Auburn restaurant that received $3M worth of fentanyl last month


Oversight

Hampstead Woman Sentenced to Prison for Disaster Fraud

A Hampstead woman was sentenced today to 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for fraudulent disaster assistance claims following Hurricane Florence.


Oversight

Maryland Defense Contractor Convicted for Procurement Fraud after Nine-Day Trial

Misrepresented to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor the Condition of the Equipment and Provided Fraudulent Documentation Concerning His Company’s Certifications