On June 24, 2019, Michael Carey Eubank pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia to one count of conspiracy to commit odometer tampering. According to the CDC, several of the Maryland patients reported having eaten soft or semi-soft cheeses in the month before becoming ill. On March 11, 2014, the Food and Drug Administration suspended Roos food facility registration after determining there was a reasonable probability that food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by Roos would cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans. Sentencing is set for February 20, 2020. Docket Number: 3:17-CV-04911 (D.N.J). As a result, in March 2017, the United States sought and obtained the courts appointment of a second realtor in addition to the defendants realtor to attempt to sell the properties. See latest for Edward Morris "Ned" Weaver or learn more. On November 19, 2018, the district court entered a temporary restraining order against 15 defendants alleged to have been involved in mailing fraudulent solicitations related to three prize promotion schemes. Epsilon further admitted that over the course of nearly a decade, the company knowingly sold 30 million American consumers data to clients engaged in fraud. The permanent injunction requires Scilabs and Edalat to cease all operations connected to the company, and not to resume until FDA determines that their manufacturing practices have come into compliance with the law. Vendstar sales representatives with the knowledge and encouragement of Weaver and other managers misrepresented the businesses likely profits, how its past customers were doing, the availability of high-profit locations, and the services that locating companies would provide. Chief Executive Officer and Manager of Fraudulent Business Opportunity Seller Sentenced to PrisonUnited States v. Edward WeaverPress Release On December 10, 2018, Olympus Medical Systems Corp. and its former top regulatory official, Hisao Yabe, pleaded guilty to failing to file required adverse event reports involving infections connected to the companys duodenoscope device. The former president says the claim is a lie. Civil Penalty and Permanent Injunction Entered Against Dr. Reddys Laboratories, Inc. Related to Child-Resistant Drug PackagingUnited States v. Dr. Reddys Laboratories, Inc.Press ReleaseDocket Number: 3:17-CV-13219 (D.N.J.). Local Rules of Court. District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against Brooklyn Fish Processor, United States v. Gold Star Smoked Fish Corp., et al. The indictment alleges Indivior employees encouraged misuse of Suboxone through relationships with doctors engaged in illegitimate prescribing and made fraudulent claims about the safety and diversion of the drug. In addition to the prison term, the court also ordered Crawford to pay $103,700 in restitution. The Court also ordered Dallal to forfeit $250,000 in ill-gotten gains. The complaint and consent decree follow FDAs July 2019 administrative decision to suspend the defendants food facility registration. As the trial began, his lawyer called her lawsuit a plan to make her famous. Docket Number: 0:19-cv-60570 (S.D. The complaint further alleges that the defendants issued numerous purported prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice to undercover agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The settlement includes a $437.5 million federal civil penalty, which is the second largest payment of this type ever made to the federal government by a ratings agency. Global consumer goods conglomerate Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (RB Group) has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to resolve its potential criminal and civil liability related to a federal investigation of the marketing of the opioid addiction treatment drug Suboxone. Chlorine dioxide is a potent agent used to bleach textiles, among other industrial applications, and a severe respiratory and eye irritant that can cause nausea, diarrhea and dehydration. In pleading guilty, Aghaegbuna admitted that from 2004 through 2012, he authorized at least 322,157 invalid prescription orders and, along with co-conspirators, caused prescription drugs to be distributed to customers in violation of the FDCA. In a complaint filed September 10, 2020, the United States alleged that the defendants violated the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Produce Safety Rule by growing sprouts and preparing and holding soy products that FDA inspections showed did not comply with food safety regulations. On Jan. 23, 2018, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions and sentences of three defendants found guilty of fraud and other charges related to the distribution of contaminated peanuts and peanut products by Peanut Corporation of America. The defendants did not respond to the complaint, and the court ordered them to cease distribution of all drugs until the companies implement specified remedial measures to ensure compliance with the FDCA. In a complaint filed March 19, the United States alleged that the defendants violated the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by manufacturing and distributing ready-to-eat cheeses contaminated with listeria. On August 8, 2018, the District Court permanently enjoined Patrick Fraser, Christopher Fraser, and Ubuki Kanehira, three members of an alleged Canada-based mass-mailing scheme. On December 7, 2016, Palmer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. In particular, the Statement of Facts addresses whether Moodys credit ratings were compromised by what Moodys itself acknowledged were the conflicts of interest inherent in the so-called issuer pay model, under which Moodys and other credit rating agencies are selected by the same entity that puts together and markets the rated securities and therefore stands to benefit from higher credit ratings. Victims enclosed their payments, typically around $15 to $55, in pre-addressed return envelopes addressed to postal boxes in the Netherlands that are owned by Trends and KSB. On May 18, 2016, drug and medical device company B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun) agreed to pay $4.8 million in penalties and forfeiture and up to $3 million in restitution to resolve its criminal liability for selling contaminated B. Braun pre-filled saline flush syringes in 2007. Over 97% of federal lawsuits are dismissed, most of which are due to Court Orders New York Company and its Operators to Stop Distributing Adulterated Dietary Supplements. WebHome For Litigants Civil Case Flowchart Hover your cursor over the rectangles on the flowchart to learn more about the steps involved in a civil case. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the defendants routinely dispensed controlled substances while ignoring numerous warning signs of diversion and abuse, such as unusually high dosages of oxycodone and other opioids, prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in dangerous combinations, and patients travelling extremely long distances to obtain and fill prescriptions. Defendant Sentenced for Role in Jamaican Lottery ScamUnited States v. Vania Lee AllenPress Release On November 12, 2019, a grand jury charged six Las Vegas-area residents in connection with a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme that allegedly tricked hundreds of thousands of consumers into paying more than $10 million in fees for purported cash prizes. Peruvian Man Sentenced to 100 Months Imprisonment for Overseeing Call Centers that Threatened and Defrauded American Consumers United States v. Hidalgo According to the indictment, the defendants mailings led victims, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable, to believe that they could claim large cash prizes in exchange for fees. The complaint alleges that the companys products are manufactured under conditions that are insanitary and inadequate to ensure the safety of its products. Docket NO. Fla.). Complaints for Permanent Injunction Filed Against Two Companies Purporting to Offer Stem Cell Treatments for Serious Diseases United States v. US Stem Cell Clinic, LLC, et al. The defendants violations included placing over 99 million calls to phone numbers on the DNC Registry. Mill Stream Corporation processed and distributed a variety of refrigerated, vacuum-packed, ready-to-eat, cold and hot smoked fish or fishery products such as smoked salmon, trout, and char. Docket No. One of the primary ingredients sold by Romeos companies was powder purportedly derived from a rare South African cactus called hoodia, which was claimed to have weight-loss properties. For more information, see the Press Release dated May 1, 2020. The civil action against the defendants, filed by the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas and the Consumer Protection Branch, alleges that the defendants prescribed controlled substances in violation of the CSA. In pleading guilty, Parks admitted that, from approximately June 2017 to September 2019, he and his company, MedFitRX, unlawfully distributed selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) and other substances that the FDA has not approved, including Ostarine (MK-2866), Ligandrol (LGD-4033), and Testolone (RAD-140). The injunction requires the defendants to cease all operations connected to the company, and not to resume operations until FDAdetermines that their manufacturing practices have come into compliance with the law. Civil Lawsuits for Criminal Conduct. The complaint filed in the case alleges that Art Masters LLC, which does business as Palm Beach Liquidation Gallery, and its principal, Eugene Marotta, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and William Clutter, doing business as Edge Graphics of North Las Vegas, Nevada, committed mail fraud in connection with their scheme. Before closing in July 2010, Vendstar made approximately $10 million to $12 million in sales per year. Docket Number: 3:15-CR-496 (N.D. The complaint alleges that, to sell their vitamin D and zinc products, the defendants have been advertising on social media and the internet that vitamin D and zinc treat or prevent COVID-19 and are more effective than vaccines, in violation of Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act, as well as the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). Fla). As set out in the Departments complaint, which was filed concurrently with the proposed joint Consent Decree on March 10, the defendants manufactured and distributed dietary supplement products as drugs that could help treat or prevent a host of serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, depression, hypertension, osteoporosis, and liver and kidney disorders. Michigan Defendant Sentenced in Kratom Distribution Scheme United States v. Dailey Press Release Victims who paid the fees received either nothing, a cheap piece of jewelry, or a report listing unrelated sweepstakes. On Jan. 25, 2018, Ercan Barka pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his role in a large-scale international mail fraud scheme that brought in $50 million from victims between 2011 and 2016. Robinson also was ordered to pay $320,797.82 in restitution to the victims of the scheme. Docket Number: 8:18-CV-996 (C.D. During the course of the scheme, Rodis Law Group and a successor company, Americas Law Group, obtained more than $9,000,000 from over 1,800 homeowners. The plea was part of an global resolution that included a separate consent decree of permanent injunction to resolve civil liability under the FDCA. On December 5, 2019, Trorice Crawford of San Diego pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an identity theft scheme that allegedly targeted servicemembers and veterans. Long used the proceeds of his fraud scheme to purchase a ranch in Texas, three airplanes, cars, buses, ATVs, and a fire truck, as well as to pay other personal expenses. The solicitations misled recipients into believing that they would receive large sums of money or powerful talismans for payments of $50 to $55. On February 22, 2019, Judge David Carter denied defendants motion to dismiss the United States complaint, finding that statements on websites can constitute drug labeling under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). View more updates. United States v. WeCare Pharmacy, et al. On Feb. 13, 2018, Ryan Young pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his role in a large-scale international mail fraud scheme that brought in $50 million from victims between 2011 and 2016. The purpose of this site is to provide information about locating and filing cases in the federal courts. In conjunction with the filing of the complaint, the defendants agreed to settle the litigation and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction that prohibits them from committing violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Enter case number 01-10054 and select Docket Report. In a July 2017 complaint, the government alleged that the defendants promoted and sold misbranded sexual enhancement products that contained the undisclosed ingredient sildenafil, which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Viagra. La. The named defendants include direct mailers, printers, a cager, and a data manager who created and maintained lead lists. Earlier this year, Allen pled guilty to one count of a pending indictment charging that she and a co-conspirator in Jamaica sought to unlawfully enrich themselves in a fraudulent lottery scheme targeting an elderly resident of Evans, Georgia. A company without a food facility registration cannot distribute any food products. Docket No. Docket Number: 15-14400 (11th Cir.). In a civil lawsuit, Carroll alleges Trump raped her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. Facebook paid the $5 billion penalty on April 29, 2020. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Three former womens basketball players at Eastern New Mexico University have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming their coach coerced them to undergo treatments that amounted to sexual assault by her volunteer trainer husband. In addition to pleading guilty to international money laundering and conspiracy charges linked to RX Limited, Leroux also pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine, unlicensed exportation of goods and technology from the United States to a third country, computer hacking, and accessory-after-the-fact charges. Sentencing is set for April 6, 2020. );2:16-CR-316 (D.N.J.) The complaint alleged that FDA inspections of Keystones facilities and products revealed numerous problems, including an instance in which the company released a batch of hair products despite test results suggesting contamination by the potentially harmful bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Laboratories, a California dietary supplement manufacturer, pleaded guilty on February 25 to conspiracy to introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce and to the introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce. Docket Number: 0:17-CR-60056 (S.D. The information also alleges that Palacio knowingly and falsely claimed in an affidavit to the FDA that a particular subject participated in the trial when, in fact, that subject had not so participated. The consent decrees require the defendants to stop importing, selling, or distributing toys and other childrens products until they implement product safety and testing programs that will bring their operations into compliance with the law. The charges in the indictment stem from Indiviors marketing of Suboxone, an opioid drug used in the treatment of addiction. According to the complaint, the defendants all played roles in the schemes, which involved solicitations claiming victims had won large cash prizes. Aghaegbuna previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and a substantive violation of the FDCA, as well as one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering. White entered a temporary restraining order against an Oklahoma company that touted an unapproved colloidal silver product as a COVID-19 treatment. District Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Federal Trade Commission Impersonators in Sweepstakes Scheme, United States v. John Doe 1, et al. United States v. Omar Cuzcano Marroquin, et al., Case No. MMS is a mixture of water and sodium chlorite, an industrial chemical used as a pesticide, for fracking and for wastewater treatment. Press Release Download the Civil Case Flowchart (PDF) In February 2012, a Michigan hospital traced infections among 16 surgical patients to a specific gel made by Pharmaceutical Innovations. RX Limited sold prescription drugs online to U.S. consumers using U.S. physicians and pharmacies. On June 14, 2017, the district court entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Stratus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sonar Products, Inc., and two of the companies executives, Alberto Hoyo and Juan Carlos Billoch. According to the complaint, a 2016 FDA inspection of the defendants manufacturing facility also revealed that the defendants failed to establish specifications for the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their finished products or the components in their products. The court previously entered a default judgment against the entity and two principals located in the United States. International Mass-Mailers Enjoined from Further Participation in Fraudulent Solicitation SchemesUnited States v. Alexander Quaglia, et al. On July 20, 2016, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against William Facteau and Patrick Fabian for distributing a medical device known as the Relieva Stratus Microflow Spacer (Stratus). Defendant Sentenced in Connection with a Lottery Scam Based in JamaicaUnited States v. Felecia Roxanne Lindo The violations stemmed primarily from norovirus outbreaks connected to employees failure to follow company food safety protocols at company-owned restaurants. Smith was also ordered to pay $12, 500.00 in fines. Only approximately half of these charges were reversed by victims banks. Defendant Sentenced in Identity Theft Scheme that Targeted Thousands of U.S. Servicemembers and Veterans United States v. Boling et al. Under the Courts order, the defendants may not manufacture or distribute their over-the-counter drug products from any facility owned or operated by the defendants unless they comply with specific remedial measures set forth in the injunction. Docket Number: 1:19-CR-20658-RNS (S.D. On March 4, 2021, U.S. District Judge William Ray denied Plaintiff Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLCs motion for a temporary restraining order against the government. For HTML-formatted information, a billable page is calculated using a formula based on the number of bytes extracted (4,320 bytes = 1 billable page). District Court Permanently Enjoins 15 Individuals and Companies in Elder Fraud Mail Scheme The charges in the indictment stem from Indivior's marketing of Suboxone, an opioid drug used in the treatment of addiction. The callers threatened victims with negative credit reports, imprisonment, deportation, or property seizures that could be avoided only through the immediate payment of settlement fees to co-conspirators at the Angeluz Florida Corporation in Miami. Pursuant to a criminal resolution with the Department of Justice, FKOL agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor offense and pay the fine and forfeiture amounts. Foo Yuan, which is based in Long Island City, New York, prepares, packs, holds and distributes refrigerated and frozen ready-to-eat fish balls, fried fish cakes and fried fish balls. Cal.). During an inspection in 2015, FDA observed that the firm failed to have adequate HACCP plans to control the hazards posed by several pathogenic bacteria, including Clostridum botulinum, Clostridum perfringens, and Listeria moncytogenes. Case No. (criminal case)Docket Number: 1:16-CV-0032(D. Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in Connection with International Lottery SchemeUnited States v. Samaiyah ArmisteadPress Release Docket Number: 3:16-CR-313-RJC (W.D.N.C.). On December 19, 2019, Johnny Hidalgo, Rodolfo Hermoza, and Francesco Guerra were extradited from Peru to face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and extortion in the Southern District of Florida. United States v. Christopher Reyes, Case No. The complaint alleges that the defendants market their consumer background report service by implying, often falsely, that searched-for individuals have criminal or sexual offense records that can be viewed only by buying a MyLife subscription. The total $19.35 million in fine, forfeiture, and civil settlement payments constitutes the second largest-ever amount paid in resolution of a food-safety matter. Consent Decree Entered Against California Dietary Supplement CompanyUnited States v. Scilabs Nutraceuticals, Inc. and Paul P. EdalatPress ReleaseDocket Number: 8:14-CV-1759 (C. D. Press release On September 27, 2016, Vania Lee Allen was sentenced to 40 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release following her conviction on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and falsely impersonate an employee of the United States. The Court sentenced Roos to pay a fine of $100,000. United States v. Hisao YabePress Release The complaint alleged that the companys fish products were manufactured under conditions that were inadequate to ensure their safety. TPN is liquid nutrition administered intravenously to patients who cannot or should not receive their nutrition through eating. Docket Number: 0:18-CV-0532 (D. Minn.). NOTE: If you accrue $30 or less of charges in a quarter, fees are waived for that period. Md.). WebCM/ECF (Case Management/Electronic Case Files) system allows courts to maintain electronic case files and offer electronic filing online, making case information immediately available. Press Release Create a PACER account or log in to manage your account and pay a bill. The complaint alleges that Dr. Tobias Bacaner, Theodore Ferguson II, and Timothy Ferguson used Paragon Community Healthcare Inc., to unlawfully issue controlled substance prescriptions, and Cobalt Pharmacy Inc., to unlawfully fill controlled substance prescriptions, all in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The order also will apply to any social media campaigns by the companies to promote cigarettes. As part of the permanent injunction, the district court ordered equitable disgorgement with refunds to consumers to be administered by a court-appointed special master. Docket Number: 8:18-CV-996 (C.D. You must also submit either the filing fee or an IFP application. Calif.). Docket Number: 2:20-cv-10032 (E.D. A judgment against the common law claim might very well undermine the RICO claim. An official website of the United States government. Defendants refused in writing to cease their violative conduct even after receiving a warning letter from FDA and FTC advising that distribution of Miracle Mineral Solution violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The website stated that kits would be sent in exchange for a $4.95 shipping charge, which consumers would pay by providing credit card billing information. Blue Bells former president, Paul Kruse, was charged in connection with his role in covering up from customers what the company knew about the contaminated ice cream. Injunction Action Filed Against Drug CompounderUnited States v. Downing Labs, LLC et al.Press ReleaseDocket Number: 3:16-CV-003 (N.D.Tex.). FKOL also agreed to implement a compliance and ethics program designed to prevent, detect, and correct violations of U.S. law relating to FKOLs manufacture of cancer drugs intended for terminally ill patients. 841(a) and (b)(l)(B). The complaint charges that the defendants violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) by operating a telemarketing campaign that delivered pre-recorded robocall messages warning consumers about a purported looming 14 percent increase in their energy bill. His brother previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. On August 5, 2020, a Nevada federal grand jury returned an indictment against Alex Quaglia and Patrick Fraser, both of Canada, for their alleged roles in elder fraud sweepstakes schemes. );2:16-CR-316 (D.N.J. Court Enters Preliminary Injunction Against Telecom Carriers Alleged to Facilitate Hundreds of Millions of Fraudulent Robocalls, United States v. Palumbo, et al. Frappier was in charge of PacNets Marketing and Client Services departments, and Kelly oversaw PacNets Compliance Department. Miss.). According to the complaint, the defendants marketed their products as being effective against infection by pathogens such as norovirus, rhinovirus, rotavirus, the flu virus, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria and Ebola, despite a lack of proof regarding the products safety and effectiveness for such uses. Third Defendant Pleads Guilty in Clinical Trial Fraud Scheme. The evidence at trial demonstrated that Facteau and Fabian sought to quickly develop and market products, including the Stratus, to create a projected revenue stream that would make Acclarent an attractive business for either an initial public offering or acquisition. Cal.). Docket Number: 1:20-cr-20190 (S.D. Young and Barka sent fraudulent prize notification letters to victims in the United States and numerous other countries. Docket Number: 1:17-CV-0033-MSK-MJW (D. Colo.). Filing Electronically How to File a Case Miss.). The Statement of Facts also addresses Moodys failure to adhere to its own published standards when rating RMBS and CDOs. If the court determines that you have brought a claim for an improper or unnecessary purpose, it may impose sanctions against you, including ordering you to pay the other sides lawyers fees. The decree against Lyman was filed on July 12, 2016, and is subject to court approval. The FDA has long warned against the use of SARMs, including stating in a publicly available 2017 warning letter that SARMs have been linked to life-threatening reactions including liver toxicity, and have the potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. On August 2, 2017, the district court entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Everbright Trading, Inc., its owner Yuan Xiang Gao, and its operator/manager Rong Qing Xu. On July 27, 2020, the Department filed a civil complaint against MyLife.com and its founder Jeffrey Tinsley seeking injunctive relief, redress, and civil penalties under the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act for unfair and deceptive conduct in selling online subscriptions to purported consumer background reports and for selling background reports without complying with the legal requirements for doing so. In a 2018 complaint, the United States alleged that the defendants distributed Zylast products in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. S. marcescens is a bacteria that can cause bloodstream infections if introduced into the bloodstream through contaminated medications. According to the indictment, PacNet served as the middleman between banks and the fraudulent mailers aggregating the checks, cash, and credit card payments collected by its clients, depositing the payments into PacNet-controlled bank accounts, and then distributing the funds as directed by the clients. The convictions stem from a series of incidents in which multiple patients at hospitals in Europe and the United States experienced serious infections after being treated with a duodenoscope manufactured by Olympus. Court Enters Injunction Against California Producer of Adulterated and Misbranded Soy ProductsUnited States v. Wa Heng Dou-Fu & Soy Sauce Corporation, Peng Xiang Lin and Yuexiao LinPress ReleaseDocket Number: 2:16-CV-1358 (E.D. On July 9, 2018, the district court entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Todd and Patty Meech Dairy Farm, and its owners, Todd Meech and Patty Meech, permanently enjoining the defendants from distributing meat that is adulterated under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.