2012
Former Congressman Sentenced for Obstructing Justice, IARA Ex-Officials Sentenced for Transferring More Than $1 Milliion to Iraq
WASHINGTON, DC — Mark Deli Siljander, a former Michigan congressman and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was sentenced in federal court on January 11, 2012, for obstruction of justice and for acting as an unregistered foreign agent related to his work for an Islamic charity with ties to international terrorism. Several officials and employees of that charity, the now-defunct Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA) formerly headquartered in Columbia, Mo., also were sentenced in federal court on January 11.
Harbert Companies Agree to Pay $47 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations
WASHINGTON - Harbert Corporation, Harbert International, Inc., Bill Harbert International Constructions Inc., Harbert Construction Services (U.K.) Ltd. and Bilhar International Establishment have agreed to pay the United States $47 million to settle claims that they submitted false claims, and caused others to submit false claims, to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Justice Department announced today.
Former Deputy Director of USAID Contractor and His Wife Accused of Embezzling More Than $1 Million Meant for Global Health
WASHINGTON - Mark Adams, 43, a former deputy director at a private USAID contractor, and his wife, Latasha Bell, 36, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they stole more than $1 million from a program meant to address global health problems such as HIV/AIDS. Among other things, Adams and Bell are accused in the indictment of using the money to renovate their home and purchase two luxury cars worth over $110,000.
Former Development Contractor Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison and $10,000 Fine
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Afghan Special Anti-Corruption Tribunal Court sentenced Din Mohammad Ramin, a former employee on a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine for soliciting and receiving a kickback of approximately $5,000.
Ramin was arrested on December 18, 2011 and sentenced on March 27, 2012. The action came as part of an on-going campaign against fraud and waste in U.S. aid efforts in Afghanistan.
Former Deputy Director of USAID Contractor and His Wife Plead Guilty to Embezzling More Than $1 Million
WASHINGTON - Mark Adams, a former deputy director at a private contractor that did business with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and his wife, Latasha Bell, pled guilty today to federal conspiracy charges stemming from the embezzlement of more than $1 million from a program meant to address global health problems. Among other things, Adams and Bell admitted using the money to renovate their home and purchase a luxury car.
United States Sues Jacintoport International for False Claims in Connection with the Delivery of Humanitarian Food Aid
The United States has filed a complaint against Jacintoport International LLC under the False Claims Act in connection with a warehousing and logistics contract for the storage and redelivery of humanitarian food aid, the Justice Department announced today. Jacintoport is a cargo handling and stevedoring firm headquartered in Houston.