Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Thursday, June 16, 2011

www.McNabbAssociates.com

Fortyone Members or Associates of the Manchester OGs Charged with Federal Drug Crimes and Federal Firearm Violations
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 11:59 AM June 16, 2011

U.S. Attorneys Office Western District of Pennsylvania on June 15, 2011 released the following press release: PITTSBURGH, JUNE 15, 2011 Fortyone members or associates of the Manchester OGs, a large and violent heroin trafficking organization operating primarily on Pittsburghs North Side, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal narcotics trafficking and firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. According to U.S. Attorney Hickton, Previously, we advised the violent criminals who tyrannize the neighborhoods and towns in our District that we know who you are; we are coming for you; and it is only a matter of when not if we catch you and disrupt and prosecute your criminal activity. Todays superseding indictment underscores our commitment. These indictments and other prosecutions reflect the priority of this Office to dedicate our resources to disrupt and ultimately neutralize the criminals who have taken our neighborhoods from us with their crime and violence. An eightcount superseding indictment, returned on June 7, and unsealed today, names 19 defendants: Harold Bacon, Andre Allen, Marcus Allen, Clayton Bonner, Samuel Crawford, Dawn Freeman, Kalan Jones, Denorris Mahone, III, Clarence Thompson, Richard Wagner, Gregory Washington, Eric Bosh, Danielle Krawchick, Sirblue Martin, Dorian Owens, Eugene Ralph, Kevin Richardson, Duane Scott, and Deian Wofford. According to the superseding indictment, from January 2010 to March 3, 2011, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and

elsewhere, the defendants conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. In addition, the superseding indictment charges Bacon, Mahone, III, Andre Allen, and Freeman with distributing and/or possessing heroin with intent to distribute it. The superseding indictment also charges Bacon and Freeman with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. A separate, but related 21count superseding indictment, returned on June 7, and unsealed today, names 24 defendants: Jeremiah Manghan, Andre Allen, Devon Baskin, Keenan Black, Clayton Bonner, John Burton, Randale Chapman, Daniel Coker, Eric Durah, James Ellis, Robert Good, Lamont Hunter, Sondra Hunter, Robert Jennings, Chawna Manghan, Jordan McKoy, Deron Nixon, Nico Nixon, David White, Marcus Williams, Sade Frazier, Kayla Jefferson, Danielle Johnson, and Paul Wilkins. According to the superseding indictment, from January 2010 to March 3, 2011, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, 21 of the 24 defendants conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. In addition, the superseding indictment charges Chawna Manghan with maintaining a druginvolved premises, and Jeremiah Manghan, Marcus Williams, Devon Baskin, Deron Nixon, Randale Chapman, Keenan Black, Sondra Hunter, James Ellis, Sade Frazier, Chawna Manghan, and Danielle Johnson with distributing and/or possessing heroin with intent to distribute. The superseding indictment also charges Devon Baskin, Deron Nixon, Randale Chapman, Keenan Black, Danielle Johnson, and Jeremiah Manghan with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes;

Eric Durah, Devon Baskin, Randale Chapman, and Keenan Black with possessing firearms after felony convictions; and Jeremiah Manghan with receiving a firearm while under indictment for a felony crime. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal histories, if any, of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Allegheny County Sheriffs Office, the Ross Township Police Department, the Canonsburg Police Department, and the Allegheny County Police Department investigated this case. A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Summit
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 11:18 AM June 16, 2011

"As we have seen repeatedly most clearly on September 11th and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in times

of crisis and emergency, law enforcement officers and first responders must be able to communicate quickly, across all jurisdictions. And as national security and public safety threats have continued to

grow and to evolve, the need to bring public safety communications into the 21st century has never been greater."

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Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Former Memorial Hospital West Facilities Director, Wife of Former Memorial Regional Hospital Team Leader, and Seven Hospital Vendors Charged in Bribery Scheme
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 8:20 AM June 16, 2011

United States Attorneys Office Southern District of Florida on June 15, 2011 released the following press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Jos A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announce the indictment of nine individuals for their participation in a bribery and kickback scheme in connection with the award of facilities maintenance contracts at Memorial Regional Hospital (MRH), in Hollywood, FL, and Memorial Hospital West (MHW), in Pembroke Pines, FL. Both hospitals are part of the Memorial Healthcare System, an organization that receives more than $10,000 in federal assistance each calendar year. Charged in the twenty-three count indictment are Adil Osman, 64, of Miramar, a former Director of Facilities Management at MHW; Dorece Gordon, 63, of Lake Worth, wife of a former Team Leader in the Facilities Management Department at MRH; and seven vendors who did business with MRH and MHW. The vendors charged in the indictment are Thomas Kennedy, 44, of Davie, Paul Chaiet, 48, of Dania Beach, Richard Cohen, 45, of Wellington, Robert Andrei, 70, of Davie, Thomas Pacchioli, 52, of Weston, John W. Hunter, 64, of Palm Coast, and Louis Columbo, 37, of Lake Worth. Four defendants (Kennedy, Chaiet, Cohen, Andrei) were arrested earlier today and will make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne E. Vitunac, in West Palm Beach, at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Defendants Osman, Pacchioli, Dorece Gordon and Columbo will surrender to U.S. Magistrate Judge Vitunac, in West Palm Beach; no date has been set yet. Defendant Hunter, who was arrested in Daytona Beach, will have his initial appearance in the Middle District of Florida. Count 1 charges the seven vendors with conspiracy to bribe employees of MRH and MHW, in exchange for being selected to perform certain facilities maintenance contracts, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666 and 371. The vendors are also individually charged with substantive bribery counts (Counts 5

13), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, 666. In turn, defendant Osman is charged with soliciting and accepting bribes in connection with his employment at MHW from June 2004 through July 2008 (Count 2), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666. According to the indictment, Osman was the Director of Facilities Management in the Facilities Management Department at MHW from June 7, 2004 until July 10, 2008. Osman was responsible for contracting with vendors for the purchase of goods and services for MHW. In this capacity, Osman was authorized to unilaterally select the vendors on jobs that cost less than $10,000, but was required to obtain bids from at least three vendors on jobs costing more than $10,000. The indictment alleges that Osman accepted money and in-kind payments, including home improvements, such $1,440 for gutters, a $3,625 deposit for a swimming pool, $3,230 for a fence, $2,000 for cabinets, and $12,000 for an electric generator, from vendors in exchange for selecting them to perform work at MHW. A nearly identical kickback scheme allegedly existed between some of these vendors and former Team Leaders Elliot Gordon and Anthony Merola at MRH. Defendants Elliot Gordon and Anthony Merola were previously charged and pled guilty to a Criminal Information, and are scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2011. According to the charges, the seven charged vendors would inflate their invoices to MHW and MRH to facilitate the payment of kickbacks to Osman and former Memorial Regional Team Leaders. Through this scheme, the vendors allegedly received more than $15 million in contracts from the Memorial Healthcare System from June 2004 through February 2009. In exchange, Osman, Merola and Gordon allegedly received bribes and kickbacks in the form of cash and in-kind payments. U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, When individuals engaged in programs receiving federal funds solicit and accept bribes from those intent on paying to gain secret access and reap lucrative contracts, the system has broken down. We will continue to aggressively investigate this conduct act to ensure that government monies dont fall into the hands of the greedy and corrupt. This investigation reveals how business is not to be conducted in the United States. We cannot tolerate a system in

which individuals corrupt the competitive process by selling their integrity through the payment and receipt of bribes at taxpayers expense, said John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Miami Office. There is a growing intolerance by the American people for corruption, which is reflected in their willingness to come forward and report abuses. We encourage anyone who may have information about corruption to come forward and report it. That information is critical to our work. IRS-CID Special Agent in Charge Jos A. Gonzalez stated, The tax system is built on the premise that taxpayers file accurate tax returns. This case should send a message that aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. In addition, Count 4 charges defendants Cohen and Osman with mail fraud for their involvement in a scheme to defraud MHW by rigging the bidding process on contracts over $10,000. Indeed, Cohen is alleged to have won forty-six bids by essentially bidding against himself through nominee and victim corporations. Defendant Kennedy is charged with engaging in a similar scheme to defraud MRH (Count 3), using fictitious bid proposals utilizing separate nominee and victim corporations. In both instances, the victim corporations were unaware that their names were being used by the defendants to submit bids. Defendant Chaiet is charged with nine counts of assisting in the preparation of multiple fraudulent individual and corporate income tax returns by knowingly deducting personal expenses as business deductions, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2) (Counts 14- 19 and 21-23). More specifically, Chaiet, a Certified Public Accountant, is alleged to have prepared false income tax returns for Dorece Consulting Services, Whitehead Industries, and Elliot Gordon for taxable year 2005. He is also charged with preparing false income tax returns for taxable year 2006 for Whitehead Industries, RSM&F Enterprises, and Dorece and Elliot Gordon. For 2007, he is alleged to have prepared false income tax returns for Elliot Gordon and Anthony Merola. Lastly, defendant Dorece Gordon is individually charged with filing a false tax return, in violation of Title 26, United FORMER page 4

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Federal Criminal Justice

Joshua Myers, an Elementary School Assistant Principal, Arrested On Federal Child Pornography Charges
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 1:05 PM June 16, 2011

U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Virginia on June 15, 2011 released the following press release: ALEXANDRIA, Va. An assistant principal at Greenville Elementary School, Joshua Myers, 29, of Warrenton, Va., was arrested today for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography. Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Washington Field Office made the announcement after the charges were made public. Myers will make an initial appearance tomorrow, June 16, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. before Magistrate Judge John F. Anderson. According to court documents, Myers was identified through an undercover investigation of individuals using peer-to-

peer file sharing software to view and trade child pornography. Through an online chat with an undercover agent, Myers allegedly provided his password to folders on his computer containing child pornography and told the agent that he had traveled to California to have sex with a child and had engaged in sexual contact with children ages nine to 14 years old. Using the password provided, the undercover officer allegedly viewed through Myers shared folder several videos containing child pornography, including a video of a woman sexually abusing a two-year-old boy. Myers was arrested today at his home following a search of his residence. According to court documents, Myers allegedly admitted to being the person who communicated with the undercover agent and indicated he had child pornography stored on a thumb drive and on his work-issued laptop at school. The investigation was conducted by the

FBI Washington Field Offices Child Exploitation Task Force, with assistance from the Warrenton Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Maureen C. Cain is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Former City Councilman and County Commissioner Indicted for Taking Bribes
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 7:04 AM June 16, 2011

United States Attorneys Office Middle District of Florida on June 15, 2011 released the following press release: Tampa, Florida United States Attorney Robert E. ONeill announces the unsealing of an indictment charging KEVIN L. WHITE, age 46, of Riverview, Florida, and GEORGE HONDRELLIS, age 45, of Tampa, Florida, with the following charges: Count One Conspiracy to Commit Bribery (Maximum penalty of up to 5 years) Counts Two Five Bribery (Maximum penalty of up to 10 years on each count) Count Six Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud

(Maximum penalty of up to 20 years) Count Seven Honest Services Mail Fraud (Maximum penalty of up to 20 years) Counts Eight-Nine Honest Services Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty of up to 20 years) Count Ten False Statement (Maximum penalty of up to 5 years) The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit money which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. A copy of the indictment is attached hereto. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal

Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by United States Attorney Robert E. ONeill. Federal Indictment of Kevin L. White and George Hondrellis To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Midwest Five Alabama Tax Return BankCentre Regarding Alleged Lending Preparers Charged with Discrimination in St. Louis Tax Fraud
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 2:43 PM June 16, 2011

Midwest BankCentre will open a fullservice branch in an African-American neighborhood and invest approximately $1.45 million in majority African-

American areas of the St. Louis metropolitan area as part of a settlement to resolve allegations that they engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of race and color.

(USDOJ: Justice News)

Submitted at 11:53 AM June 16, 2011

James E. Moss, who owned and operated Flash Tax, was charged with four of his employees by a grand jury sitting in Montgomery, Ala.

Federal Criminal Justice

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

James E. Moss, Who Owned and Operated Flash Tax, was Federally Indicted with Four of His Employees By A Federal Grand Jury Sitting in Montgomery, Alabama
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 11:37 AM June 16, 2011

U.S. Department of Justice on June 16, 2011 released the following press release: Five Alabama Tax Return Preparers Charged with Tax Fraud WASHINGTON A group of five tax return preparers were indicted in the Middle District of Alabama on tax fraud charges, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. James E. Moss, who owned and operated Flash Tax, was charged with four of his employees by a grand jury sitting in Montgomery, Ala. Moss along with Lutoyua N. Thompson, Chiquita Q. Broadnax, Avada L. Jenkins and Melinda M. Lambert were each charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and 27 counts of assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. According to the indictment, the group conspired to knowingly place false information on taxpayers returns in order to obtain higher tax refunds from the IRS. The indictment further alleges that the

group sought at least $129,266 in fraudulent tax refunds from the IRS. An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 86 years in prison. The case is being investigated by IRSCriminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Brown and by Tax Division Trial Attorneys Charles M. Edgar, Jr. and Michael Boteler. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Barry Bonds Attorneys File Defendants Motions for Judgment of Acquittal and/or A New Trial on Count Five
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 5:17 AM June 16, 2011

FORMER
continued from page 2

States Code, Section 7206(1) (Count 20), by failing to report cash payments and proceeds allegedly received through Whitehead Industries and Dorece Consulting, and improvements to her home, totaling approximately $175,723. If convicted, the defendants each face a statutory maximum terms of imprisonment of up to five (5) years on the conspiracy charge, ten (10) years on the each of the substantive bribery counts, twenty (20) years on the mail fraud charges and three (3) years each on the tax offenses. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the management and security personnel at Memorial Healthcare System for their assistance and cooperation in this investigation. The case is being

prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Karadbil. Attached is the Federal Indictment. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, Barry Bonds Attorneys filed Defendants Motions for Judgment of Acquittal and/or A New Trial on Count Five. A hearing is scheduled for argument on Friday, July 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. before Honorable Judge Susan Illston. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Department of Justice on Behalf of Partner Agencies Releases Solicitation to Build Capacity in Distressed Neighborhoods
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 12:09 PM June 16, 2011

The Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Assistance today announced the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Solicitation, part of an innovative approach to build capacity in distressed neighborhoods.

Federal Court Bars Firm with Offices in Pennsylvania and Virginia from Promoting StockLoan Tax Scheme
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 11:36 AM June 16, 2011

Alabama Women Sentenced for Roles in Tax Fraud Conspiracy

(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 3:04 PM June 16, 2011

According to court findings, HedgeLender, which maintained offices in Philadelphia and Reston, Va., promoted a

scheme purportedly allowing owners of appreciated stock to obtain cash through purported loans without reporting or paying tax on capital gains.

Betty Washington, a resident of Montgomery County, Ala., was sentenced today to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,440,632 for conspiring to file false claims for refunds.

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Justice FBI

Swift Beef Company to Pay $1.3 Million Penalty for Clean Water Act and State Law Violations at Its Grand Island, Nebraska Beef Processing Plant
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 11:48 AM June 16, 2011

Swift Beef Company, a subsidiary of JBS S.A, the worlds largest beef producer, has agreed to pay $1.3 million to the United States and state of Nebraska to settle alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act and Nebraska state law at its Grand Island, Neb., beef processing plant.

MS-13 Soldier Pleads Guilty to Murdering Mother and Child

(FBI in the News)
Submitted at 9:19 AM June 16, 2011

La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) member Rene Mendez Mejia pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death through use of a firearm in connection with the February 5, 2010, execution-style murders of Vanessa Argueta, a 19-yearold woman, and her two-year-old son, Diego Torres, in Central Islip, New York.