EFTA00064715.pdf

From: DOJ Digests Cale il> Bcc: " Subject: Morning Digest Date: Tue, 07 Jul 2020 11:50:57 +0000 To: Rendon DOJ Alert Desk <a aMINIa Department of Justice Morning News Digest July 7, 2020 08:00 AM EDT TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Washington & DOJ Schedule 2. Network Evening News Lineup 3. Morning Headlines 4. COVID-19 5. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies 6. National Security 7. Immigration & Border Security 8. US Supreme Court 9. Criminal Law 10. Civil Law 11. Civil Rights 12. Antitrust 13. Environment 14. Tax 15. Criminal Justice/Corrections 16. Native American Affairs 17. Marijuana Legalization 18. Opioid Crisis 19. Congress WASHINGTON & DOJ SCHEDULE: JULY 7, 2020 DOJ • No scheduled events. NETWORK EVENING NEWS LINEUP: JULY 6, 2020 ABC: World News Tonight with David Muir CBS: Evening News with Norah O'Donnell NBC: Nightly News with Lester Holt • Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said Monday the status of the coronavirus pandemic in the US is "really not good" as new cases surge across the country. His comments come as coronavirus cases continue to soar in the US -- with at least 32 states EFTA00064715 reporting higher rates of new cases this week compared to the last, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Nearly 3 million Americans have been infected with the virus and more than 129,000 have died. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced she has tested positive for the coronavirus. [ABC CBS NBC] • Florida added more than 6,300 new coronavirus cases Monday, as the state's virus-related death toll rose by nearly 50. The new COVID-19 cases brought the state's total to 206,000, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health. More than 200 scientists have called for the World Health Organization and others to acknowledge that the coronavirus can spread in the air — a change that could alter some of the current measures being taken to stop the pandemic. [ABC CBS NBC NBC-1] • President Trump demanded Monday an apology from Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only African American driver, after the FBI determined last month that he was not a target of a hate crime when a noose was found in his garage stall before a race. [ABC CBS NBC] • At least six children were killed in shootings across the country over the holiday weekend, sparking calls from officials to end the gun violence plaguing their communities. The children, ages 6 to 14, were all shot and killed while doing everyday things -- riding in mom's car, walking in a mall, and playing in a yard with their cousins. [ABC CBS NBC] • Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime companion of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein accused of facilitating his sexual abuse of teenage girls, has been transferred to a federal detention center in Brooklyn ahead of an arraignment and bail hearing that may come next week. [ABC CBS] • A Texas woman charged in the disappearance and death of U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood appeared in court Monday morning, federal officials said. Cecily Aguilar, a Killeen, Texas, resident who was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence last week, appeared virtually in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske, officials said. [ABC] • The white woman who falsely claimed she was threatened by a black birdwatcher who asked her to leash her dog in Manhattan's Central Park was charged Monday with filing a false report, the Manhattan district attorney said. [NBC] MORNING HEADLINES • "Coronavirus Live Updates: Testing Demand in U.S. Soars, Creating a New Crisis" [NYT, WaPo WSJ] • "Relief loans benefited well-connected firms that didn't mention saving jobs" [WaPo WSJ] • "Google, Facebook and Twitter Suspend Review of Hong Kong Requests for User Data" [WSJ NYT] COVID-19 WaPo: "States mandate masks, begin to shut down again, as coronavirus cases soar and hospitalizations rise," Joshua Partlow, Nick Miroff, July 06, 2020, 06:07 PM The pandemic map of the United States burned bright red Monday, with the number of new coronavirus infections during the first six days of July nearing 300,000 as more states and cities moved to reimpose shutdown orders. After an Independence Day weekend that attracted large crowds to fireworks displays and produced scenes of Americans drinking and partying without masks, health officials warned of hospitals running out of space and infection spreading rampantly. Continue Reading] CBS: [VIDEO] "Judge orders ICE to release migrant children, citing coronavirus," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 3:00 PM A federal judge has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release children the agency is holding with their parents or legal guardians, citing the risk of coronavirus at detention EFTA00064716 facilities for migrant families. CBS news immigration reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez joins CBSN to discuss the impact of the ruling. [Watch] FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES KOKH-Fox (Oklahoma City, OK): "FBI: Man wanted for robbery of First United Bank in Oklahoma City," Destiny Washington, July 06, 2020, 11:45 PM The FBI is seeking information to identify the man responsible for the robbery of a First United Bank located in Oklahoma City. On Monday, July 06, 2020, at 4:12 p.m., the suspect entered the location and made a demand for money from bank employees via a note. [Continue Reading] See also: KFOR-NBC (Oklahoma City OK) The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH): "Federal agents arrest 2 suspects in homicides Cleveland, East Cleveland," Cliff Pinckard, July 06, 2020, 11:30 PM Suspects in two recent shooting deaths in Cleveland and East Cleveland were taken into custody on Monday, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Kenneth Woods, 29, was arrested Monday afternoon at a hotel in Strongsville. Marshals say he was wanted by East Cleveland police on a charge of aggravated murder in connection with the June 24 shooting death of Jason Taylor, 40. Authorities say Woods shot Taylor during an argument at a residence on the 14300 block of Scioto Avenue. Continue Reading] Alabama News Network: "US Marshals: Suspect Charged with Murder of Ke'Aira Battle," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 10:58 PM According to the US Marshals, James Burton Dunn was taken into custody Monday morning and charged with Capital Murder in the death of Ke'Aira Battle. On Friday, June 19, authorities found Battle's body outside of Elmore Community Hospital. An investigation determined she died from a gunshot wound. [Continue Reading] WKYC-NBC (Cleveland, OH): "US Marshals arrest two men wanted for separate murders," Nick Camino, July 06, 2020, 10:47 PM Late Monday afternoon the US Marshals announced a pair of arrests made by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in connection to two separate aggravated murders. Kenneth Woods, 29 and Sean Hoskin, 38 were both taken into custody by the US Marshals. [Continue Reading] KGTV-ABC (San Diego, CA): "FBI seeking information to help rescue child victims," Zac Self, July 06, 2020, 7:51 PM The San Diego FBI is asking for information on an image, which it says may help lead to the identification and rescue of child victims. One of the images shared to the FBI's Twitter page shows a piece of clothing that appears to depict a cartoon character on a broomstick. [Continue Reading] KUSA-NBC (Denver, CO): "The FBI and Aurora Police need help identifying the 'Double Dipper' bandit," Melissa Reeves, July 06, 2020, 6:45 PM The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Aurora Police Department (APD) are asking for the public's help to identify the "Double Dipper" bandit who is suspected in five bank robberies, at three different bank branches in Aurora. The Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and APD need the public's help to identify the man pictured above after giving him the nickname after he wore a surgical mask when he robbed the banks. [Continue Reading] See also: KMGH-ABC (Denver CO) WVTM-NBC (Birmingham, AL): "The FBI has reported seeing a spike in fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen IDs," Kelsey Bradshaw, July 06, 2020, 6:19 PM The FBI reported on Monday that it has seen a spike in fraudulent unemployment claims related to the pandemic, according to a news release. The perpetrators are using stolen personal identifiable information (PII) to submit the claims online, and it's happened in several states. [Continue Reading] EFTA00064717 KSWO-ABC (Lawton, OK): "U.S. Marshals make arrest in 11-year-old Grady County cold case," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 3:01 PM A Grady County cold case from 2009 is one step closer to being closed. According to authorities, a suspect wanted for first-degree rape with a weapon, forcible sodomy and three counts of lewd molestation was arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico. [Continue Reading] NATIONAL SECURITY Fox: "West Virginia woman convicted in plot to offer top-secret NSA info to Russia," Bradford Betz, July 06, 2020, 10:00 PM A West Virginia woman who worked on assignments with the National Security Agency while serving in the Air Force planned to give the Russian government top-secret information from the agency, prosecutors said on Monday. Elizabeth Jo Shirley, 46, pleaded guilty to one count each of willful retention of national defense information and international parental kidnapping, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release. [Continue Reading] See also: Herald-Mail Media (Martinsburg WV) The Hill KOB-NBC (Albuquerque NM) WDVM (Hagerstown MD) WaPo: "Man romantically linked to Russian spy is sentenced to 7 years in fraud case," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 6:23 PM A former conservative operative who was once romantically linked to a Russian agent was sentenced Monday to seven years in federal prison in South Dakota. Paul Erickson pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering as part of fraudulent investment schemes he operated for many years, the Argus Leader reported. [Continue Reading] See also: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls SD) KELO-AM (Sioux Falls SD) IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY WAVE-NBC (Louisville, KY): "More than $350 thousand in counterfeit belts seized by US Customs in Louisville," Dustin Vogt, July 07, 2020, 12:00 AM U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted two packages in Louisville with counterfeit belts worth more than $350,000. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a news release stating that the two packages arriving at the Express Consignment Operations mailing facility in Louisville June 30 contained 648 counterfeit belts. The packages were sent from Hong Kong heading to a residence in New York. The CBP intercepted the packages as they noticed the shipment came from a verified counterfeit source. [Continue Reading] See also: WDRB-Fox (Louisville KY) Fox: "Maryland jail defies ICE to release accused rapist," Shawn M. Carter, July 06, 2020, 9:00 PM An accused rapist was released from custody in Montgomery County, Md., despite a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold the suspect until further notice. Police arrested Rene Atilio Ramos-Hernandez on the rape warrant June 18 before he was released June 23. ICE had prior requested to be notified if Ramos-Hernandez were to be released and asked Montgomery County officials to hold him until he could be picked up. [Continue Reading] See also: Washington Times KSWB-Fox (San Diego, CA): "Deportations, expulsions through Baja California down 35% in 2020," Salvador Rivera, July 06, 2020, 8:42 PM (EDT) Repatriations of Mexican Nationals through Baja California are down 35% when compared to the same time period in 2019 according to Mexico's National Institute of Migration. Last year at this time, more than 27,000 people had been sent back from the United States through the cities of Mexicali or Tijuana. So far this year, the number is about 17,500. According to Customs and Border Protection, EFTA00064718 overall apprehensions are down in just about every sector and demographic along the U.S.-Mexico border. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Bids Seeking Win In FOIA Suit Against CBP Rejected," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 6:54 PM A District of Columbia federal judge has rejected bids by both the federal government and a reporters' committee for an end to litigation over access to documents related to an incident in which the government sought to unmask an anonymous Twitter account critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies. [Continue Reading] NYT: "Appeals Court Strikes Down Trump Administration's Asylum Ban," Miriam Jordan, July 06, 2020, 6:00 PM A federal appeals court on Monday struck down President Trump's policy that barred most migrants from seeking asylum in the United States if they had passed through another country, concluding that the government did "virtually nothing" to make sure that another country is "a safe option" for those fleeing persecution. A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco affirmed the decision of a federal judge who ruled last year that the so-called third- country transit rule was unlawful, with one judge calling it "perhaps the most significant change to American asylum in a generation." [Continue Reading] See also: The Recorder Law360: "House Dems Float Cuts To ICE, Block Of Border Wall Funding," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:08 PM House Democrats on Monday released their draft homeland security spending bill, which sets up a congressional showdown with its calls for the slashing of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's detention capacity and a bar on transferring defense funding to the border wall. [Continue Reading] See also: Washington Times WSJ: "New Rules Detail How Foreign Students Can—and Can't—Take Classes at U.S. Colleges This Fall," Melissa Korn, July 06, 2020, 4:24 PM International students can't take all their classes online if their college offers a mix of on-campus and remote classes, according to new guidelines from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as Harvard University and others laid out their plans for the fall. The guidance issued Monday by ICE's Student and Exchange Visitor Program varies depending on whether a school is offering classes entirely online, in person or a mix of the two. The eagerly awaited plans include a host of different instructions that will allow some students on campus, keep others learning remotely and make it impossible for still others to return to the U.S. [Continue Reading] See also: AP Axios Bloomberg BuzzFeed The Hill KCAL-CBS (Los Angeles CA) KOLO-ABC (Reno NV) KRON (San Francisco CA) Law360 MassLive (Boston MA) The Olympian (WA) Politico UPI WaPo WBAL-NBC (Baltimore MD) WPMI-NBC (Mobile AL) WRBL-CBS (Columbus GA) WRCB-NBC (Chattanooga TN) KGBT-CBS (Harlingen, TX): "CBP officers confiscate $88K in cocaine at Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 3:55 PM U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge seized a load of suspected cocaine valued at approximately $88,400. hidden within a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The seizure took place on Sunday, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 23-year-old male Mexican citizen applied for entry into the United States. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination. [Continue Reading] WaPo: "All six suspects in Montgomery County MS-13 slaying were 'unlawfully present' in the U.S., immigration officials say," Dan Morse, July 06, 2020, 3:48 PM All six suspects in the ambush-style homicide of a Maryland house painter were "unlawfully present" in the United States and linked to the MS-13 street gang, federal immigration officials said Monday. The most recent suspect, Jose Luis Lainez-Martinez, 26, was arrested late last month by detectives in EFTA00064719 Montgomery County. He is accused of being one of two shooters in the May 26 slaying of Francisco Medrano-Campos, 29, outside the victim's apartment in Wheaton. [Continue Reading] US SUPREME COURT San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA): [EDITORIAL] "Supreme Court upholds voters' will in Electoral College ruling," Editorial Board, July 07, 2020, 7:00 AM (EDT) The Electoral College is a seriously flawed system for electing a president, but as long as it exists, its concept should be followed. In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a significant step in preventing manipulation of the system by stating that the electors chosen by the states must vote in accordance with their states' vote. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Sanofi Urges High Court To Expand Arthrex To All," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 11:21 PM Sanofi-Aventis has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on its patent row with Mylan, arguing in a recent petition that the Federal Circuit's decision that the structure of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board is unconstitutional should now apply to all companies, even those that didn't raise the underlying constitutional issue in their briefs. [Continue Reading] Law360: [ANALYSIS] "The CFPB Survived The High Court, But Will All Of Its Rules?," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 10:42 PM The U.S. Supreme Court's decision settling the long-standing debate around the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's structure may have opened a Pandora's box for pending litigation and past rulemaking. [Continue Reading] AP: "US Supreme Court deals blow to Keystone oil pipeline project," Matthew Brown, July 06, 2020, 9:00 PM The U.S. Supreme Court handed another setback to the Kone XL oil sands pipeline from Canada on Monday by keeping in place a lower court ruling that blocked a key environmental permit for the project. Canadian company TC Energy needs the permit to continue building the long-disputed pipeline across U.S. rivers and streams. Without it, the project that has been heavily promoted by President Donald Trump faces more delay just as work on it had finally begun this year following years of courtroom battles. [Continue Reading] See also: CNN K0C0-ABC (Oklahoma City OK) Law360 NYT, WSJ WaPo: "Supreme Court says a state may require presidential electors to support its popular- vote winner," Robert Barnes, July 06, 2020, 6:07 PM The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that a state may require presidential electors to support the winner of its popular vote and punish or replace those who don't, settling a disputed issue in advance of this fall's election. Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court as it considered for the first time the issue of "faithless electors" and whether the Constitution sees members of the Electoral College — whose votes ultimately elect the president — as representing the intent of the state's voters or as independent thinkers. [Continue Reading] See also: CNN The Hill WHTC (Holland MI) WSJ Bloomberg Law: "Robocall ban upheld, broadened by Supreme Court in free-speech case," Greg Stohr, July 06, 2020, 3:48 PM The U.S. Supreme Court broadened the federal ban on robocalls to mobile phones, eliminating an exception that had existed for government-debt collection while leaving the rest of the law intact. In a splintered ruling, the court said the 2015 exception, which allowed robocalls if made to recoup debt owed to or guaranteed by the federal government, violated the Constitution's guarantee of free speech. Writing the court's controlling opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the exception "favors speech made for collecting government debt over political and other speech." [Continue Reading] See also: Law360 WaPo WSJ EFTA00064720 CRIMINAL LAW AP: "2 New Jersey Men Charged In $10M Bank Fraud Scheme," Steve Wolford, July 06, 2020, 9:14 PM Two New Jersey men have been charged in Maryland with participating in a bank fraud scheme that led to more than $10 million in losses from hundreds of credit and debit card transactions, authorities said Monday. Federal prosecutors in Baltimore said the fraud involved 76 businesses, including two associated with Dogar Singh, 67, of Carteret, New Jersey; and Rehan Afridi, 36, of West Deptford, New Jersey. [Continue Reading] See also: Law360 Patch (Evergreen Park, IL): "Felon Who Shot Into Murdered Palos Heights Man's Grave Sentenced," Lorraine Swanson, July 06, 2020, 8:28 PM A man who shot into the open grave of a murdered Palos Heights man in 2017 was sentenced to 15 years in a federal prison. Elston Stevenson, 57, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr., sentenced Stevenson July 1, in federal court in Chicago. [Continue Reading] See also: WBBM-CBS (Chicago IL) WMAQ-NBC (Chicago IL) The Oregonian (Portland, OR): "Federal courthouse door shattered, fireworks exploded inside and at least 7 people arrested through weekend unrest, complaints say," Maxine Bernstein, July 06, 2020, 10:00 PM A "wrestling match" ensued last Thursday night between federal officers inside the Mark O. Hatfield courthouse downtown and a handful of demonstrators tugging on the front glass door before it shattered, followed by fireworks thrown into the building, according to an affidavit filed in court Monday. Rowan M. Olsen, 19, faces allegations of failing to obey a lawful order, disorderly conduct and creating a hazard on federal property. He pressed his body against the door to keep it shut in an attempt to prevent officers from leaving the building, according to the affidavit. [Continue Reading] New York Post: "Man accused of smuggling ancient Egyptian artifacts through JFK in dirty suitcase," Bradford Betz, July 06, 2020, 5:42 PM A Brooklyn man was indicted for allegedly trying to smuggle hundreds of Egyptian artifacts stuffed inside dirty suitcases through JFK Airport — including some nearly 4,000-year-old relics, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Ashraf Omar Eldarir, 47, was caught at the Queens airport in January allegedly carrying three suitcases filled with 590 antiquities covered in foam and bubble wrap, federal prosecutors said. [Continue Reading] KCRG-ABC (Cedar Rapids, IA): "Dubuque couple sentenced after stealing over $200,000 from elderly mother," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:40 PM Two people from Dubuque will be spending time in prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges in connection to money taken from one of the person's mother. H. David Derby, 66, and Patti Lynn Derby, 52, a married couple from Dubuque, were sentenced to federal prison on Monday, July 06. H. David will serve 26 months, while Patti will serve 24 months. There is no opportunity for parole in the federal prison system. [Continue Reading] The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, FL): "Veteran sentenced for shooting two at VA Medical Center," Jane Musgrave, July 06, 2020, 5:21 PM A double-amputee was sentenced to 25 years in prison for opening fire at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Riviera Beach last year but may only serve a fraction of that term. Larry Ray Bon, who shot two people and terrorized others during his February 2019 rampage, will be held in a federal prison that can give him the mental-health treatment he needs, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra ordered. [Continue Reading] EFTA00064721 USA Today: "Texas woman tied to slaying of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen appears in court," Kelsey Bradshaw, July 06, 2020, 5:48 PM A Texas woman charged in the disappearance and death of U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood appeared in court Monday morning, federal officials said. Cecily Aguilar, a Killeen, Texas, resident who was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence last week, appeared virtually in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske, officials said. [Continue Reading] See also: NBC WVNS-CBS/Fox (Lewisburg, WV): "Lashmeet man sentenced for sex crimes," Douglas Fritz, July 06, 2020, 5:07 PM A sentencing hearing was held on Monday, July 06, 2020 for a man who tried to have sex with a minor. Joshua Kevin Laxton, 29, of Lashmeet was sentenced on a charge of Travel in Interstate Commerce to Engage is Illicit Sexual Activity with a Minor. He will serve 57 months in a federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release. [Continue Reading] See also: WVVA-NBC/CW (Bluefield WV) New York Post: "American Airlines mechanic accused of smuggling cocaine in hidden aircraft compartment," Rebecca Rosenberg, July 06, 2020, 4:58 PM An American Airlines mechanic used his position to help smuggle nearly 12 kilos of cocaine bricks from Jamaica hidden in a mechanical compartment beneath a plane, according to Brooklyn federal prosecutors. Paul Belloisi, 52, of Hicksville, New York, pleaded not guilty via telephone conference Monday in Central Islip federal court on a three-count indictment, charging him with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import cocaine and importation of cocaine. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Judge Hangs Up On 'Varsity Blues' FaceTime Dismissal Bid," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 4:54 PM "Varsity Blues" prosecutors won't have to answer why a FaceTime call between a parent charged in the case and the scheme's mastermind was not recorded or memorialized, a federal judge said Monday in an order that also denied the parent's request to reconsider his motion to dismiss. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton said John Wilson, the founder of a private equity company and real estate firm, would have to wait until the college admissions case goes to trial to question federal investigators about a canceled meeting and a FaceTime call between him and William "Rick" Singer in September 2018 that[...] [Continue Reading] Law360: "Avenatti's Freedom Extended Ahead Of Calif. Embezzling Trial," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 4:47 PM The California federal judge overseeing Michael Avenatti's December embezzlement trial extended his temporary release from a Manhattan prison following his conviction for extorting Nike, giving him 60 more days of freedom Monday despite federal prosecutors' concerns that the embattled attorney violated bail conditions. During a teleconference status hearing in the embezzlement case against Avenatti, U.S. District Judge James Selna extended the attorney's supervised release another two months after it's set to expire July 24, saying he could alter that decision if it's discovered Avenatti violated his bail conditions by accessing the internet while assisting his counsel with the discovery process[....] [Continue Reading] Mlive (Grand Rapids, MI): "Woman accused of helping to hide body of Fort Hood soldier has Jackson ties," Marie Weidmayer, July 06, 2020, 4:47 PM A woman arrested and charged for allegedly helping hide a body in Texas once lived in Jackson, Michigan, records show. Cecily Aguilar, 22, is charged with a felony count of mutilating and destroying to impede an investigation, court records from July 06 in the United State District Court Western District of Texas show. [Continue Reading] Bridgewater Courier News (Bridgewater, NJ): "3 Middlesex County residents charged in $3.5M bank fraud conspiracy," Rebecca Rosenberg, July 06, 2020, 4:02 PM EFTA00064722 Three Middlesex County residents are among seven people charged for their alleged roles in a $3.5 million conspiracy to commit bank fraud in New Jersey and five other states over a two-year period. Ali Abbas, 38, of Carteret, Habib Majid, 34, of North Brunswick, and Naveed Arif, 42, of the Port Reading section of Woodbridge, were arrested Monday along with Awaise Dar, 32, of Dearborn, Michigan, and Erm Ayaz, 36, of Bayside, New York, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a news release. Continue Reading] The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA): "Gun conviction puts Honduran man in federal prison for 12 months," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 3:14 PM A Honduran citizen has been sentenced to a year in prison for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Michael J. Juneau sentenced Erick Bautista Irias-Zepeda, 22, to serve 12 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty of the charges on Jan. 16 and will be subject to deportation upon his release. [Continue Reading] AP: "4 ex-prison guards sentenced in Louisiana inmate beating," Janet McConnaughey, July 06, 2020, 2:35 PM Four former officers at Louisiana's maximum-security prison have been sentenced for their parts in punching, kicking and stomping a handcuffed and shackled inmate and in plotting a cover-up. The convicted ringleader, who yanked the inmate's leg chain to send him facedown onto concrete, got more than nine years. The lightest sentence was probation for a guard who stood by as others beat the inmate in January 2014 and then agreed to say he kneed the inmate to get him under control after the man spat on and fought with him. [Continue Reading] CIVIL LAW Law360: "6th Circ. Says Ordering GM, Fiat CEOs To Meet Goes Too Far," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 11:49 PM The Sixth Circuit on Monday said a Michigan federal judge can't require General Motors' CEO to negotiate an end to the automaker's claims that Fiat Chrysler bribed union officials in a scheme that disadvantaged rival carmakers, although the court also rejected GM's request to reassign the case to another judge. [Continue Reading] Law360: "After High Court's Liu Ruling, Calif. Co. Seeks SEC Relief," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 11:06 PM A health care company and its partial owners asked a California federal judge to review a $5.4 million disgorgement order they face in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission suit, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Liu decision might mean they should be on the hook for only half that amount. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Receiver Accused Of Holding Up SEC Deal In Ponzi Suit," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 10:47 PM Defendants in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission suit over an alleged $30 million Ponzi scheme told a Florida federal court Monday that a receiver for companies involved in the case is holding up their settlement with the government, but the receiver said he is just trying to do his job. [Continue Reading] Law360: "NY Judge Leaves McKinsey Critic Stuck In Dismissal 'Trap'," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 10:09 PM Turnaround pro Jay Alix remains stuck in a "finality trap" that may prevent him from appealing a New York federal judge's dismissal of RICO claims against McKinsey & Co., as the judge said Monday that Alix didn't deserve a way out of a trap he himself laid. [Continue Reading] EFTA00064723 Law360: "Client Was Wrong To Screenshot Zoom Deposition, Atty Says," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 10:08 PM An attorney representing construction workers alleging unpaid overtime asked a New York federal court Monday to go easy on a client who shared screenshots of a Zoom deposition while promising to "hook up" a fellow worker if he sought to join the suit. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Md. Hospital Chain Hit With Proposed ERISA Class Action," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 9:47 PM A former MedStar Health Inc. employee hit the hospital chain with a proposed ERISA class action in Maryland federal court Monday, alleging the company's retirement plan made bad investments and hid the risk from workers. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Wells Fargo Says N-Word 'Unfortunate,' But Bias Suit Must Go," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 9:45 PM Wells Fargo urged a Florida federal judge Monday to toss a real estate attorney's discrimination lawsuit claiming he was prevented from opening a business account when a then-branch manager called him the N-word, arguing that the alleged incident is "unfortunate," but he's not entitled to any relief. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Banker Says Cowen Fired Him For Objecting To Oligarch," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 7:24 PM A former Cowen and Co. LLC banker said Monday that he was fired after raising concerns about the company's prospective business relationship with a Russian oligarch rumored to be involved in money laundering and arms dealing, according to a suit filed in New York federal court. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Investors Can Seek Discovery In Honduras Expropriation Fight," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:11 PM A Florida federal judge on Monday dismissed Honduras' assertion that a magistrate judge erred in allowing a group of nearly 100 U.S. real estate investors to seek discovery on Honduras' sovereign immunity defense to claims that it expropriated their development. U.S. District Judge Thomas R Barber said the court did not misapply relevant statutes or case law in May, when it allowed the investors to seek discovery on 12 topics to confirm if Honduras qualifies for a takings exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. [Continue Reading] Law360: "US Bank Customer Wants Fee Suit Out Of Arbitration," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:01 PM A U.S. Bank customer leading a proposed class action over bank fees has asked a California federal judge to reconsider her decision to move the suit to arbitration, arguing the judge used legal reasoning the Ninth Circuit rejected in recent cases. In her July 2 motion for reconsideration, customer Reyna McGovern asked District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo to rethink her previous ruling that the bank could enforce an arbitration clause McGovern agreed to, saying that at the time of Judge Bencivengo's ruling, California law was unsettled, but recent Ninth Circuit decisions made it clear that her arguments against arbitration should prevail. [Continue Reading] CIVIL RIGHTS Law360: "8th Circ. Adopts Supreme Court's Broad Title VII Standard," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 9:43 PM The Eighth Circuit on Monday officially scrapped its longstanding precedent that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act doesn't bar discrimination against gay workers to square with the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision last month that the federal workplace protections cover sexual orientation and gender identity bias. [Continue Reading] EFTA00064724 The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA): "Former Angola prison guard sentenced to almost 10 years for beating handcuffed inmate," Lea Skene, July 06, 2020, 3:00 PM A former Angola guard has been sentenced to almost 10 years in prison for brutally beating a handcuffed and shackled inmate in 2014 — leaving him with extensive injuries including a dislocated shoulder and collapsed lung — and then conspiring to cover up the assault. Daniel Davis, 43, was convicted in two separate trials, the most recent this past January. In announcing the sentence, officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana referred to Davis as "the ringleader of the beating and cover up" but noted he didn't act alone. [Continue Reading] Bloomberg Law: "Florida Retailer to Pay $100,000 to Settle Immigrant Bias Claims," Genevieve Douglas, July 06, 2020, 1:59 PM A Miami-based distributor of promotional products will pay $100,000 to settle U.S. Justice Department allegations that it discriminated against immigrant workers when verifying their eligibility for employment. The DOJ alleged Bel USA LLC, operating as DiscountMugs, discriminated against non- U.S. citizens by routinely requiring them to provide specific immigration documents, such as permanent resident cards, when verifying their work authorization. U.S citizens weren't asked to produce comparable proof of employment eligibility. [Continue Reading] ANTITRUST Law360: "Food Packaging Co. Asks 8th Circ. To Rehear Antitrust Suit," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 8:47 PM A company that makes packaging for microwavable food has asked the Eighth Circuit for a rehearing after the court refused to revive its suit accusing a larger rival of monopolizing the market through sham patent litigation and illegal sales practices. [Continue Reading] Law360: [ANALYSIS] "Assessing The New DOJ, FTC Vertical Merger Guidelines," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 7:49 PM On June 30, the U. S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission released their vertical merger guidelines. We expecta commentary on the guidelines to follow in the next few weeks or so. Overall, the guidelines recognize that "vertical mergers often benefit consumers"[3] and set forth nonexhaustive ways in which non horizontal mergers may substantially lessen competition. The three primary theories described are foreclosure and raising rivals' costs, access to competitively sensitive information, and facilitating collusion. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Electronics Co. Can't Duck Price-Fix Suit Over US Notice," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 7:48 PM A Texas federal judge refused Sunday to cut a Japanese electronics company from a suit accusing tech firms of jacking up the cost of licensing their mobile technology patents, finding the company had been properly served with the complaint through its U.S. subsidiary. [Continue Reading] Law360: "How Cannabis Cos. Can Address Enhanced Antitrust Scrutiny," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 7:24 PM Cannabis companies have a lot on their plate: growing their business in a new industry and staying on the right side of state regulators, for starters. To that list, cannabis companies need to add considering the antitrust implications of their business. That is especially true for companies preparing to merge, in light of the bombshell testimony of a U. S. Department of Justice whistleblower who claimed that Attorney General William Barr has targeted cannabis industry mergers for heightened scrutiny that may not be warranted on traditional antitrust grounds. [Continue Reading] Law360: "T-Mobile Keeping 11K Boost Subscribers In Sprint Merger," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:35 PM EFTA00064725 The U. S. Department of Justice has told a D. C. federal court it allowed T-Mobile to keep about 11,000 subscribers from Sprint's prepaid mobile business that were supposed to be divested to Dish Network as a concession to T-Mobile and Sprint's $56 billion merger. [Continue Reading] Fortune: "The DOJ may bring an antitrust suit against Google. But are Americans ready to break up Big Tech?," Lance Lambert, July 06, 2020, 4:00 PM Our mission to help you navigate the new normal is fueled by subscribers. To enjoy unlimited access to our journalism, subscribe today. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), and Facebook are the five most valuable public companies in the world. [Continue Reading] ENVIRONMENT Law360: "Feds Say Cleanup Plan Overrides Contaminated-Water Suits," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 9:03 PM The federal government on Monday asked a California federal court to let it out of lawsuits brought by two water districts alleging the government and chemical companies have contaminated local drinking water with a toxic chemical, arguing that cleanup efforts are already underway. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Fiat Chrysler, Bosch Rip Opt-Out Plaintiffs' EcoDiesel Claims," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 6:46 PM Fiat Chrysler and Bosch have asked a federal judge to reject an attempt by consumers in California, Florida and Texas to collect a "windfall" after opting out of a $307 million settlement in multidistrict litigation accusing the companies of rigging diesel vehicles with emissions-cheating devices. Continue Reading] Law360: "EPA Accused Of Wrongly Going Virtual For Coal Ash Hearing," Clark Mindock, July 06, 2020, 6:35 PM The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency broke the law when it refused to hold an in-person hearing in January regarding proposed changes to a coal ash rule, environmental groups told a D.C. federal court on Monday. [Continue Reading] Law360: "10th Circ. Sides With Sierra Club Over Utah Coal Plant Permit," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 6:27 PM The Tenth Circuit has ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cannot ignore its obligation to enforce the Clean Air Act, pointing to its failure to pursue pollution controls on a Berkshire Hathaway-affiliated coal plant in Utah. [Continue Reading] NYT: "Dakota Access Pipeline to Shut Down Pending Review, Federal Judge Rules," Jacey Fortin and Lisa Friedman, July 06, 2020, 5:03 PM The Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil route from North Dakota to Illinois that has inspired intense protests and legal battles, must shut down pending an environmental review and be emptied of oil by Aug. 5, a district court ruled on Monday. The decision, which could be subject to appeal, is a victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other Native American and environmental groups who have fought the project for years, and a significant defeat for President Trump, who has sought to keep the Dakota Access Pipeline alive. [Continue Reading] See also: Law360 Newsweek Politico TAX Law360: "NY Drivers Rip Uber's Arbitration Bid In Pay Practices Suit," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 9:34 PM New York drivers told a federal judge that Uber shouldn't be allowed to wield its arbitration provision to deprive them of their day in court, insisting Uber must face claims it shortchanged drivers' fares by EFTA00064726 deducting ride-hailing taxes as well as inflated service fees. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Attys Accused Of Fraud In Hawking Easement Tax Scheme," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 6:51 PM Georgia-based attorneys, accountants and appraisers conspired to defraud hundreds, if not thousands, of individual investors by marketing syndicated conservation easement schemes they knew wouldn't pass muster with the IRS, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. Continue Reading] CRIMINAL JUSTICE/CORRECTIONS New York Post: "Prison officials want to ensure Ghislaine Maxwell doesn't meet same fate as Epstein," Larry Celona and Ben Feuerherd, July 06, 2020, 10:33 PM Accused Jeffrey Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell was quietly transferred on Monday from New Hampshire to a Brooklyn federal prison where she'll await trial pending a bail hearing. Maxwell, who was arrested in a million-dollar rural mansion last week, was moved by US Marshals to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday morning, the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement. [Continue Reading] See also: Politico USA Today, WaPo NBC: [PODCAST] "Into Resuming Federal Executions," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 7:54 PM On July 13th, Daniel Lewis Lee is set to be the first prisoner executed by the federal government in 17 years. Executions have decreased on the federal and state level since their height in the 1990s, and for the first time in decades, a majority of Americans support life imprisonment over the death penalty. But Attorney General Bill Barr announced last month that four inmates would be scheduled for execution in rapid succession starting next week. [Listen] NBC: "Roger Stone lawyers ask appeals court to delay start of his prison sentence," Pete Williams, July 06, 2020, 7:18 PM Roger Stone is asking a federal appeals court to delay the date when he has to report to prison to begin serving his 40-month sentence. A federal judge last week granted him a short delay, to July 14 after Stone cited coronavirus concerns. But late Monday Stone's lawyers asked the D.C. Court of Appeals to delay his reporting date to Sept. 3. [Continue Reading] See also: Law360 Politico WTHI-CBS (Terre Haute, IN): "Three executions set for Terre Haute's federal prison next week - here's what they were convicted of doing," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:31 PM Federal executions take place in Terre Haute, and it has been 17-years since the last one. That is set to change next week. There are three executions set for July and a fourth one set for August. [Continue Reading] WTHI-CBS (Terre Haute, IN): "Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons set guidelines for demonstrators at Terre Haute's federal prison ahead of executions," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 4:06 PM The Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons have released guidance for demonstrators the days of the executions at Terre Haute's federal prison. Those who support capital punishment will meet at Voorhees Park on 1st Street. Those against will meet at the fairgrounds on U.S. 41. Processing for the demonstrators starts at 4:00 a.m. No one will be processed after 5:30 a.m. [Continue Reading] NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS Law360: Tribes Say Alaska Native Cos. Must Wait For COVID Funds," Andrew Westney, July 06, 2020, 10:09 PM EFTA00064727 Several federally recognized tribes have pressed a D.C. federal judge to block the Treasury Department from sending Alaska Native corporations part of $8 billion in COVID-19 relief, saying the court's recent decision in favor of the companies recognized that there are tough questions to be dealt with on appeal and that the language of the relief law backs the tribes. [Continue Reading] KELO-AM (Sioux Falls, SD): "Native American tribe finds itself on lockdown," Jacey Fortin and Lisa Friedman, July 06, 2020, 9:01 PM The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety announced on Facebook that The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation would be on lockdown for the next 72 hours. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Tribal Sovereignty Not Violated By Fed. Court, 9th Circ. Says," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 8:45 PM The Ninth Circuit on Monday upheld a ruling that a Blackfeet Nation member can be prevented from living in the Montana town where the tribe's headquarters are located as a term of his release for drug offenses, saying that condition didn't infringe on the tribe's sovereignty. [Continue Reading] MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Marijuana Moment: "Feds Hire Hazmat Firm For Marijuana Eradication Training," Ben Adlin, July 06, 2020, 4:30 PM The U.S. Forest Service will spend nearly $50,000 to hire a hazardous materials consulting firm to train employees how to safely remove marijuana grown on public lands under a newly awarded government contract. The agency says the training is needed to protect employees, some of whom reportedly have been taken to emergency rooms after being exposed to hazardous chemicals while clearing marijuana plants in years past. [Continue Reading] Law360: "Va. Lawmakers Eye Pot Legalization Amid Racial Justice Push," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 5:32 PM Top state lawmakers in Virginia have called for full legalization of marijuana shortly after the state's decriminalization law went into effect, saying a regulated commercial market should be the next step in redressing racial inequality in the criminal justice system. The state's marijuana decriminalization law, which took effect Wednesday and removes criminal penalties for possession of the drug under one ounce, also directs various state agencies to join up and study legalization, with a report due in November. [Continue Reading] OPIOID CRISIS WACH-Fox (Columbia, SC): "Nevada officials blame COVID-19 lockdown for surge in opioid abuse," Steve Wolford, July 06, 2020, 8:02 PM U.S. Attorney for the Nevada District, Nicholas Trutanich, along with Dan Neill, the Drug Enforcement Agency's Assistant Special Agent in Charge, has long been involved in the local battle against opioid abuse, addiction, and deaths. But, any progress their agencies have made in recent months suffered a setback in March in the form of the COVID-19-related economic shutdown. During that time, they've seen a spike in opioid overdoses, deaths, and prosecutions. [Continue Reading] The Hill: [OPINION] "Preventing the opioid epidemic from getting worse requires attacking it at the source," Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), July 06, 2020, 4:30 PM Experts are predicting, and we are beginning to see, a significant uptick in opioid use disorder and overdoses as a result of the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19. We know that stress and isolation are significant contributors to the onset of opioid use disorder, and we also know that the reduced access to substance use disorder and mental health treatment spurred by the pandemic will make this crisis worse. [Continue Reading] EFTA00064728 Law360: "Pharmacies Can't Slip Opioid Nuisance Claims, Counties Say," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 3:24 PM Two Ohio counties urged a federal judge to shut down requests by pharmacy chains to toss claims that they created a public nuisance by failing to monitor suspicious opioid orders that helped fuel an epidemic of painkiller addiction, saying the state's public nuisance law fits their claims. Continue Reading] AP: "Jonathan Sackler, co-owner of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, dies at 65," Unattributed, July 06, 2020, 3:24 PM Jonathan Sackler, one of the owners of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, has died, the company confirmed. Sackler died June 30, according to a court filing. He was 65 and the cause of death was cancer. He was the son of Raymond Sackler, one the brothers who bought drug company Purdue Frederick in 1952, and served as an executive and board member for the company that was later renamed Purdue Pharma. [Continue Reading] See also: Guardian The Hill CONGRESS Reuters: "Small-government advocates, lobbyists tap $660 billion U.S. pandemic-aid fund," Andy Sullivan, July 06, 2020, 5:51 PM As Congress signed off on trillions of dollars in coronavirus aid, the small-government group Citizens Against Government Waste urged lawmakers to oppose bailouts for U.S. states, broadcasters, unemployed people and other recipients. The group also secured at least $150,000 in government funds for itself, records released on Monday show. [Continue Reading] See also: Bloomberg, Politico WaPo WSJ Washington Examiner: "Jim Jordan asks former US attorney to counter Mueller prosecutor's 'double-hearsay statements'," Jerry Dunleavy, July 06, 2020, 4:55 PM The top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee is seeking a "firsthand recollection" from the former acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia about the sentencing of longtime Trump associate Roger Stone. [Continue Reading] Fox: "'SAD' if no 'deep state' prosecutions before elections; Durham should produce findings, Grassley says," Gregg Ret, July 06, 2020, 4:00 PM Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Monday said it was "SAD" that Attorney General William Barr might wait until after Election Day to initiate prosecutions related to U.S. Attorney John Durham's ongoing probe into FBI and CIA misconduct. Barr told Fox News last month that Americans be able to recognize "some" of the names under investigation in Durham's probe, and that he is "very troubled" by "what has been called to" his attention so far. Among other issues, Durham is reviewing whether federal agencies abused their surveillance powers to pursue figures associated with the Trump campaign. [Continue Reading] END RENDON Media News Alert Notice: This RENDON product is distributed as part of a deliverable for the DOJ News Clipping Service Solicitation 15JPSS I AROZN100005 for for EFTA00064729 The original recipient is currently subscribed to doj-digests as: To unsubscribe, please email ith "UNSUBSCRIBE ME" in the subject line. Your request will be processed within 7 business days. EFTA00064730