Homeland Security -OIG

Local Physician Assistant Arrested For Unlawfully Practicing Medicine

Local Physician Assistant Arrested For Unlawfully Practicing Medicine For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

Evan.Gidney Wed, 09/07/2022 - 13:31

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, September 7, 2022 Download PDF (142.69 KB)

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 49-year-old Brownsville man has been charged for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicaid by working with a suspended medical license, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.

Law enforcement took Fernando Mendez into custody this past weekend. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald G. Morgan at 9:30 a.m. today.

According to the indictment, returned Aug. 26 and unsealed today, Mendez was a physician assistant at CCI Therapy Counseling Centers International.

On July 20, 2021, the Texas Medical Board allegedly ordered the immediate suspension of Mendez’s physician assistant license, deeming him to be a “continuing threat to public welfare.” He was then prohibited from practicing medicine, according to the charges.

However, Mendez allegedly continued to evaluate and treat patients at mental health clinics in Brownsville, Harlingen and Pharr and billed Medicaid for services he rendered during his suspension.

The indictment further alleges Mendez attempted to conceal his continued practice of medicine by using identities of other physicians and medical personnel. Specifically, Mendez allegedly created medical records under the identities of other physicians while they were traveling outside of the United States. The charges also allege Mendez submitted false statements to the Texas Medical Board in an effort to conceal his improper practice of medicine.

Mendez is charged with seven counts of health care fraud for which he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. If convicted of any of the four aggravated identity theft charges, he faces another two years which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All counts also carry as possible fine of up to $250,000.

The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services and Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz is prosecuting the case.
 

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

Others

Fraud Alert: Department of Homeland Security Impersonation Schemes

Fraud Alert: Department of Homeland Security Impersonation Schemes For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

adrian.edwards Mon, 08/29/2022 - 11:44

For Immediate Release

Monday, August 29, 2022 Download PDF (210.77 KB)

This U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Public Service Announcement highlights how scammers impersonating DHS personnel defraud the public and how to avoid becoming another victim.

Background

Each year, DHS OIG receives hundreds of reports of individuals impersonating DHS employees to defraud the public. Impersonators can spoof actual DHS phone numbers and create email addresses that resemble DHS email addresses in their attempts appear legitimate.  Some will even email or text pictures of real and doctored law enforcement credentials.  These impersonators will try to convince targets to provide personally identifiable information, passwords, credit card or bank numbers, or payment via money transfer services or prepaid debit cards.    

Recent Trends

Many reports to DHS OIG are related to the targeting of immigrants, minority groups or people with foreign ties.  The most common ruses are: 
•    Violations of immigration or customs laws, 
•    Lost or duplicate passports used abroad to commit crimes, 
•    Unspecified “Green Cards matters,” 
•    Packages detained at the border containing drugs or other illegal materials, and 
•    Problems with the victim’s immigration forms. 

Imposters may threaten with arrest, cancellation of visas, or deportation if they do not comply.  

Protect Yourself

1.    Be suspicious of telephone calls or emails claiming to be from DHS as scammers can fake caller ID information and email addresses. All legitimate government emails will come from an email address ending in .gov.  

2.    Scammers often use incorrect nomenclature to identify themselves, such as “DHS agent,” “DHS private investigator” or “Detective with DHS.” They may misuse acronyms or government agencies’ names such as “Department of Customs and Border Security,” or “US Immigration Agency.”  

3.    DHS never use the contact numbers listed on its website to make outgoing calls of this nature.  Individuals receiving phone calls from these numbers should not provide any personal information.

4.    Do not send money or gift cards to persons claiming to be from DHS.  DHS employees will never ask you to pay a fine over the phone, and will never accept payment for fees through Google Play, Apple, gift cards, or money transfer services such as Zelle or Venmo.  

Reporting Fraud

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim is urged to call the DHS OIG Hotline (1-800-323-8603) or file a complaint online via the DHS OIG website www.oig.dhs.gov. Internet crime victims can file a complaint at www.ic3.gov and with the Federal Trade Commission.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

Slidell Woman Pleads Guilty to FEMA Fraud

Slidell Woman Pleads Guilty to FEMA Fraud For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

Evan.Gidney Fri, 08/19/2022 - 16:32

For Immediate Release

Friday, August 19, 2022 Download PDF (1.19 MB)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SCHSHINETIA ANDERSON, age 44, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pled guilty on August 11, 2022 to FEMA fraud announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Mary Ann Vial Lemmon on November 10, 2022.  The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court documents, on or about August 18, 2016, ANDERSON filed a fraudulent request for financial assistance due to a natural disaster related to the alleged loss of her primary residence. In truth and in fact, as she well knew, the house she had been renting did not sustain any damage and she prepared false records claiming that it had. She also prepared false and inflated rent lease agreements to increase the funds she received from FEMA. ANDERSON received approximately $22,104 as a result of her fraud.  

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

FEMA

Batavia Woman and Buffalo Woman Both Going to Prison in Separate COVID Fraud Cases

Batavia Woman and Buffalo Woman Both Going to Prison in Separate COVID Fraud Cases For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

Evan.Gidney Fri, 08/19/2022 - 13:09

For Immediate Release

Friday, August 19, 2022 Download PDF (283.57 KB)

ROCHESTER/BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Danielle Tooley, 37, of Batavia, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve six months in prison and pay approximately $18,000 in restitution by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that between July 9 and December 4, 2020, Tooley applied for and collected unemployment benefits to which she was not entitled, benefits that were connected to federal COVID-19 relief programs. The scheme came to the attention of law enforcement on November 24, 2020, when Tooley was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance during a vehicle traffic stop on Clinton Street in Bergen, NY. A New York State Police trooper observed a crack pipe with white residue inside Tooley’s vehicle. As they prepared for Tooley’s vehicle to be towed, troopers recovered six New York State unemployment benefit cards issued to individuals other than Tooley, which they turned over to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Subsequent investigation determined that Tooley consistently withdrew money from bank accounts associated with the benefit cards.  

In a separate case, Shaneesha White, 32, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud involving benefits connected to a presidentially declared national emergency, was sentenced to serve 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $48,833.15 in restitution to the NYS Department of Labor by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rossi, who also handled the case of defendant White, stated that between June 2020 and February 2021, White applied for and received unemployment insurance benefits in her own name, under false and fraudulent pretenses. White and others also used the personal identifying information of two individuals fraudulently to create benefit accounts and collect benefits in the names of these individuals. The benefit money was deposited into bank accounts held and controlled by White at Key Bank. Key Bank also issued ATM cards in both the White’s name and in the names of the two individuals, which White used to make cash withdrawals of the benefits. As a result of the fraud, White unlawfully collected $48,833.15 in benefits.  
 
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It expands states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who are not ordinarily eligible for benefits. The CARES Act provided for three new UI programs: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC); and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The sentencings are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone; the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John Pias; the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey Burr; the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Sharon B. MacDermott; and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak.   

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

Others

TSA Labor Union President Sentenced in Fraud Scheme to Misappropriate Union Funds

TSA Labor Union President Sentenced in Fraud Scheme to Misappropriate Union Funds For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

Evan.Gidney Wed, 08/17/2022 - 11:32

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 Download PDF (1.39 MB)

BOSTON – The president of a local union representing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for engaging in a fraud scheme to defraud the union by misappropriating $29,050 in union funds.

Marie LeClair, 59, of Lynn, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to three years of probation with six months of home confinement. LeClair was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $29,050. On June 2, 2022, LeClair pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

LeClair was the president of the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2617, which was based in Boston and represented TSA employees. Beginning in or about March 2015, LeClair engaged in a scheme to defraud the union by misappropriating funds belonging to the union for her personal use. Specifically, LeClair transferred funds from union accounts to a travel debit card issued in her own name without the knowledge or authorization of the union and used the misappropriated union funds for personal expenses. On May 22, 2018, LeClair made a wire transfer of $3,000 from a union account to her personal travel debit card.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Jonathan Russo, District Director of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards; and Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Kaplan of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
 

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

TSA

Alien Smuggling Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Bribing Former Border Patrol Agent

Alien Smuggling Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Bribing Former Border Patrol Agent For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

Evan.Gidney Tue, 08/16/2022 - 08:44

For Immediate Release

Monday, August 15, 2022 Download PDF (2.1 MB)

TUCSON, Ariz. – Luis Alfredo Quintero-Gonzalez, 36, of Mexico, pleaded guilty on August 11, 2022, for Conspiracy to Commit Bribery and Alien Smuggling. Sentencing is scheduled for October 25, 2022, before United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps.

Evidence gathered during the investigation established that Quintero-Gonzalez paid former United States Border Patrol (USBP) agent Carlos Passapera thousands of dollars in cash bribes for smuggling undocumented noncitizens into the United States between August and December 2019.

Quintero-Gonzalez admitted that he conspired to coordinate and coordinated the illegal entry of undocumented noncitizens by acting as the middleman between Passapera and the individuals seeking illegal passage into the United States. While working as a USBP agent, Passapera would receive communication from Quintero-Gonzalez and then pick up the undocumented noncitizens along the U.S.-Mexico border near Lukeville, Arizona. Passapera would then smuggle the individuals through Border Patrol checkpoints and deliver them to locations within the Phoenix area. Throughout the conspiracy, Quintero-Gonzalez and Passapera smuggled at least eight undocumented noncitizens into the United States. In exchange for his role in the conspiracy, Passapera received approximately $64,000 in bribery payments from Quintero-Gonzalez. 

A conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Bribery and Alien Smuggling carries a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 

Passapera was charged separately for his involvement in the conspiracy in case CR-20-01706-TUC-JGZ-MSA and has pleaded not guilty. His jury trial is scheduled to begin on April 3, 2023, before United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Arizona Corruption Task Force, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General. The Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Section of the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. 

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

CBP

DHS OIG Launches Whistleblower Protection Alternative Dispute Resolution Program

DHS OIG Launches Whistleblower Protection Alternative Dispute Resolution Program For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

adrian.edwards Fri, 07/29/2022 - 10:27

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 29, 2022 Download PDF (153.6 KB)

Friday, July 29, 2022
     
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) launched a Whistleblower Protection Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program.  The program is designed to resolve whistleblower retaliation complaints filed by DHS contractors, uniformed U.S. Coast Guard members, individuals alleging retaliatory security clearance actions, and other qualified complainants.  The ADR program provides complainants an alternative to the formal investigative process.  

“The federal government has a long history of promoting and using conflict resolution services to proactively address and resolve disputes.  We are thrilled to establish the DHS OIG ADR program to offer an additional path to efficiently and effectively resolve whistleblower complaints,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari.  

Modeled after the successful ADR program at U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Whistleblower Reprisal Investigations Directorate, the voluntary ADR process is facilitated by a DHS OIG mediator, who assists the parties in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution to the complaint through a mediation or facilitated negotiation.  

For more information about Whistleblower Protection, please visit our website:  www.oig.dhs.gov

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

Others

Letter from Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari in Response to Congressional Inquiry

Letter from Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari in Response to Congressional Inquiry For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Tue, 05/17/2022 - 19:21

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 Download PDF (205.86 KB)

(Washington, DC) On May 13, Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security, issued a letter in response to a request from the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.   

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

MGMT

Former Sacramento Resident Indicted for Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme

Former Sacramento Resident Indicted for Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Wed, 03/30/2022 - 12:57

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 24, 2022 Download PDF (273.91 KB)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment today against Terence Aubrey Larker, 35, of Las Vegas, previously of Sacramento, charging him with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, beginning in April 2020, and continuing through at least October 2020, Larker perpetrated a mail fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted the Unemployment Insurance benefit program that California administers through its Employment Development Department (EDD). Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, EDD is responsible for administering unemployment insurance benefits for qualifying residents who can no longer find employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Larker obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of more than 80 individuals and filed fraudulent unemployment insurance benefit claims under their identities. EDD approved many of these applications and mailed benefits in the form of prepaid debit cards to addresses under Larker’s control, including at least 24 to his home address in Sacramento. Once received in the mail, he activated the cards and spent the benefits on himself, often appearing in ATM surveillance footage taking out large amounts of cash from these cards. In total, Larker’s conduct resulted in EDD and the United States paying out over $1.1 million in fraudulent claims.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), California Employment Development Department (EDD), Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Larker faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for mail fraud and a mandatory additional sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

Others

Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy To Defraud U.S. Refugee Program

Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy To Defraud U.S. Refugee Program For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Thu, 01/27/2022 - 09:05

For Immediate Release

Thursday, January 27, 2022 Download PDF (184.26 KB)

WASHINGTON – An Iraqi national, Aws Muwafaq Abduljabbar, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States related to his role in a scheme to defraud
U.S. refugee programs.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, and U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director for Domestic Operations Mark A. Sullo.

Abduljabbar, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras of the District of Columbia. He remains held without bond pending sentencing on June 24, 2022.

Abduljabbar is one of three defendants charged in an indictment that was unsealed on January 22, 2021.  The indictment charges Abduljabbar and two other foreign nationals, Haitham Isa Saado Sad, 43, and Olesya Leonidovna Krasilova, 44, in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and, in particular, the Iraq P-2 program, which allows certain Iraqis to apply directly for refugee resettlement in the United States.  Sad previously pleaded guilty and remains held pending sentencing.  Krasilova remains at large.

According to the indictment and statement of facts agreed to by Abduljabbar as part of his guilty plea, from approximately February 2016 until at least April 2019, the three defendants, led by Abduljabbar, conspired to steal U.S. government records related to hundreds of USRAP applications.  Sad was employed in Amman, Jordan from 2007 to 2016 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Krasilova held a similar position at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia.  As part of their duties, both defendants had access to the State Department’s Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS), a database containing sensitive, non-public information about refugee applicants and their family members, as well as the results of security checks and internal assessments by U.S. officials regarding applications.

Abduljabbar organized and led the conspiracy, and he relied on and paid Sad and Krasilova to steal WRAPS records and information so that Abduljabbar could assist applicants in gaining admission to the United States through fraudulent means.  As outlined in the indictment and statement of facts, the theft of USRAP records creates a number of risks to public safety and national security while imposing significant costs on the U.S. government, its taxpayers, and otherwise legitimate refugee applicants negatively impacted by the scheme.

The charges in an indictment are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  The maximum penalty for conspiracy to defraud the United States is five years.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  If convicted of any offense, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being investigated jointly by the DHS Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke M. Jones and Erik M. Kenerson of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

MGMT

New Jersey Man Indicted in Fraud Scheme to Steal California Unemployment Insurance Benefits

New Jersey Man Indicted in Fraud Scheme to Steal California Unemployment Insurance Benefits For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Fri, 01/21/2022 - 11:32

For Immediate Release

Friday, January 21, 2022 Download PDF (99.54 KB)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 15-count indictment today against Eric Michael Jaklitsch, 40, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, charging him with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Dec. 8, 2021, Jaklitsch was arrested on a federal criminal complaint at his home in New Jersey. He made his initial appearance in the District of New Jersey and was ordered detained for transport to the Eastern District of California.

According to court documents, between October 2020 and December 2021, Jaklitsch executed a scheme to defraud the California Employment Development Department (EDD) by filing at least 78 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with EDD, seeking Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and other benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. During the scheme, Jaklitsch collected personal identifying information of numerous individuals — including names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers — and used their identities to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. The filings represented, among other things, that the claimants had recently lost employment or were unable to find employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These unemployment insurance claims were fraudulent because, for example, the claimants were not unemployed, they were not eligible for California unemployment insurance benefits, or Jaklitsch did not have authority to file claims on their behalf.

Since at least October 2021, EDD has partnered with ID.me — a private company used by the EDD for ID verification of claimants — to implement a system for verifying claimant identities before EDD can process unemployment insurance claims. An internal investigation conducted by ID.me identified Jaklitsch as a person conducting a fraud scheme and referred the case to federal law enforcement. In executing his fraudulent scheme, Jaklitsch also submitted false information to ID.me that allowed his fake and stolen identities to be verified. This false information included images of fake driver’s licenses that contained photos of Jaklitsch and the names of the purported claimants. He also submitted live photos of himself that were used to verify the photos on the fake driver’s licenses. Once these false identities were verified, Jaklitsch filed the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with EDD under the same identities. In executing his fraudulent scheme, Jaklitsch also submitted false information to ID.me that allowed his fake and stolen identities to be verified. This false information included images of fake driver’s licenses that contained photos of Jaklitsch and the names of the purported claimants. He also submitted live photos of himself that were used to verify the photos on the fake driver’s licenses. Once these false identities were verified, Jaklitsch filed the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with EDD under the same identities.

In the fraudulent unemployment insurance applications, Jaklitsch requested that the unemployment insurance benefits be mailed to various addresses under his control, including his residence in New Jersey. EDD approved dozens of the fraudulent claims and authorized Bank of America to mail out EDD debit cards containing unemployment insurance benefits. Jaklitsch then activated the EDD debit cards and used them to withdraw the benefits at ATMs throughout New Jersey. The scheme sought over $2,500,000 in unemployment insurance benefits and caused EDD and the United States to incur actual losses exceeding $900,000.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General – Covid Fraud Unit, and the California Employment Development Department (EDD) – Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Jaklitsch faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the 14 wire fraud counts. He also faces a two-year mandatory prison sentence if convicted of aggravated identity theft, which must run consecutive to any sentence received on the wire fraud counts. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

MGMT

Former Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud the U.S. Government

Former Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud the U.S. Government For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Fri, 01/14/2022 - 14:16

For Immediate Release

Friday, January 14, 2022 Download PDF (128.86 KB)

Charges Involve Theft of Proprietary Software

A former Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHSOIG)
pleaded guilty today to federal charges stemming from the theft of proprietary software and sensitive databases
from the U.S. government.

According to court documents, Charles K. Edwards, 61, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, executed a scheme to steal
confidential and proprietary software from the government. Edwards worked for DHS-OIG from February 2008 until
December 2013, including as Acting Inspector General. Prior to DHS-OIG, he worked at the U.S. Postal Service Office
of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). At both agencies, Edwards had access to software systems, including one used for
case management and other systems holding sensitive personal identifying information of employees.

After leaving DHS-OIG, Edwards founded Delta Business Solutions Inc., located in Maryland. From at least 2015 until
2017, he stole software from DHS-OIG, along with sensitive government databases containing personal identifying
information of DHS and USPS employees, so that his company could develop a commercially-owned version of a case
management system to be offered for sale to government agencies.

Edwards pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to conspiracy to commit theft of
government property and theft of government property. A second defendant in the case, Murali Y. Venkata, 56, of Aldie,
Virginia, has pleaded not guilty to charges and his case remains pending. Edwards will be sentenced at a later date. A
federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other
statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew
M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari of DHS-OIG and Inspector General
Tammy Whitcomb of USPS-OIG made the announcement.

Senior Litigation Counsel Victor R. Salgado of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and the Public Corruption
and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and Venkata is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
in a court of law.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

MGMT

Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of the Treatment of a Non-Citizen from Russia Who Was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Custody Prior to His Death

Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of the Treatment of a Non-Citizen from Russia Who Was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Custody Prior to His Death For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Wed, 11/10/2021 - 18:54

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 Download PDF (193.95 KB)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation based on an article published by the Seattle Times titled, “Russian immigrant’s handwritten note leaves many questions about treatment at Northwest Detention Center.” The article alleged questionable actions taken at the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center (NWIPC), Tacoma, WA, in the treatment of an ICE detainee. The article reported that while the individual was on a prolonged hunger strike, ICE placed him in a cold, isolated cell without any clothes, and that he continued to be held in segregation without receiving adequate medical and mental health care. The individual attempted suicide while in ICE custody at the NWIPC on November 15, 2018. He later succumbed to his injuries at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tacoma, WA, on November 18, 2018. A few hours prior to the suicide attempt, he was notified by a NWIPC staff member that the Board of Immigration Appeals had dismissed his appeal, and arrangements would be made to proceed with his removal from the United States.

DHS OIG reviewed policies, records, memoranda, and information reports; interviewed witnesses; reviewed the Detainee Death, Root Cause Analysis, and Psychological Autopsy Reports; and coordinated with the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (DOJ CRD).

The investigation revealed that the individual was provided with medical and mental health care that was within ICE policy during his hunger strike and overall incarceration at the NWIPC. He was placed in a cell by himself wearing only a suicide smock with a suicide blanket and mattress for less than 24 hours while on suicide watch, as per policy.

Additionally, he was in segregation during his hunger strike as a protective measure per policy and he remained in “Segregated in Protective Custody” status at his own request. The ICE Detainee Death Report cited there were no violations of detention standards that directly contributed to the individual’s death, but areas of concern were noted regarding his medical care, safety, and security at the NWIPC. The Detainee Death Report included multiple areas of concern as information only and concluded that they did not contribute to his death. The ICE Health Service Corps’ Root Cause Analysis Report cited areas that were indirectly contributory to his attempted suicide and provided a corrective Action Plan. ICE and the GEO Group (GEO) have made changes and improvements and conducted training with regards to the corrective Action Plan, as well as the aforementioned areas of concern.

The investigation found that no ICE policies were violated, but it did determine that GEO custody staff violated GEO policy when they failed to search the individual’s cell for impermissible items each time he vacated the cell. The investigation also found no discrepancies or inconsistencies with NWIPC’s statement that the individual committed suicide by hanging himself. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy report concluded his death was caused by anoxic encephalopathy due to hanging and the manner of death was suicide. The DOJ CRD and the local USAO were briefed on the investigation and their review determined that the investigative findings did not identify any violations of Federal law.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

ICE

The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of Guatemalan Juvenile Who Died in U.S. Border Patrol Custody in Weslaco, TX

The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of Guatemalan Juvenile Who Died in U.S. Border Patrol Custody in Weslaco, TX For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Wed, 09/15/2021 - 17:02

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 Download PDF (156.86 KB)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation upon receipt of information from the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) that on May 20, 2019, Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) at USBP Weslaco Station in Weslaco, TX, discovered a 16-year-old non-citizen juvenile from Guatemala deceased in a holding room.

The DHS OIG investigation included witness interviews, a review of USBP records, review of medical records, and an independent contracted medical examiner/child infectious disease expert to review all medical procedures and the autopsy. The investigation determined that USBP did not conduct regular and frequent physical checks as required by the Customs and Border Protection National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search policy. The investigation also determined that a BPA Team Lead recorded hourly welfare checks that had not actually occurred.

The independent contracted medical examiner identified the individual’s cause of death as natural from H1N1 and bacterial/staph infections, which would have resulted in a rapidly fatal outcome, even with immediate and appropriate treatment. The investigative findings were presented to the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division, who declined prosecution, citing a lack of any criminal violations and a lack of criminal intent.

For more information visit our website, www.oig.dhs.gov
 

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

CBP

The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of Mexican National who Died in U.S. Border Patrol Custody in El Paso, TX

The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of Mexican National who Died in U.S. Border Patrol Custody in El Paso, TX For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Fri, 09/03/2021 - 14:21

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 3, 2021 Download PDF (167.38 KB)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after information was received from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility that a Mexican national passed away from medical related issues. The individual was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, TX, on March 17, 2019, was transferred to Las Palmas Medical Center on the evening of March 17, 2019, and died on March 18, 2019.

DHS OIG reviewed video from the Paso del Norte Processing Center and interviewed undocumented noncitizens, Border Patrol Agents, medical personnel, and Emergency Medical Technicians to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the individual’s death.

The County of El Paso, Office of the Medical Examiner and Forensic Laboratory deemed that the individual died of natural causes, and cited streptococcus pneumonia and influenza A/H3 pneumonia with hypertensive cardiovascular disease as a significant contributing factor.

During the course of our investigation, we found no evidence that actions taken by DHS personnel or contractors contributed to the death of the individual.

For more information visit our website, www.oig.dhs.gov

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

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The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of a Cuban Citizen Who Died at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, FL

The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of a Cuban Citizen Who Died at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, FL For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Fri, 09/03/2021 - 14:00

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 3, 2021 Download PDF (164.45 KB)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation upon being informed that on January 27, 2020, a Cuban citizen had died at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, FL. The individual had been detained at the Krome Service Processing Center in Miami, FL, since January 14, 2020. On January 23, 2020, the individual was transported and admitted to the hospital for an evaluation.

DHS OIG’s investigation, which included records reviews, interviews and a review of surveillance camera footage, revealed that the individual died of natural causes. This investigation uncovered no evidence that indicated anyone employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and/or Krome Service Processing Center staff caused or contributed to the individual’s death.
 

For more information visit our website, www.oig.dhs.gov

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

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The Office of Inspector General Completes Joint Investigation of an ICE Detainee Who Died at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, OH.

The Office of Inspector General Completes Joint Investigation of an ICE Detainee Who Died at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, OH. For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Fri, 09/03/2021 - 13:41

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 3, 2021 Download PDF (173.94 KB)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG); the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR); and the ICE Health Service Corps jointly investigated the death of an ICE detainee that occurred at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC) in Youngstown, OH.

An autopsy by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be hanging. The Mahoning County Coroner’s Office determined the manner of death to be suicide.

As part of this joint investigation, the investigative team interviewed NEOCC facility staff and medical staff. We also reviewed the autopsy report, coroner’s report, medical records, incident report, and relevant policies and procedures.

The joint investigation did not identify any criminal violations. However, ICE OPR External Reviews and Analysis Unit (ERAU) determined the NEOCC failed to comply with four requirements of the ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards 2011 (PBNDS). The areas of non-compliance pertained to significant self-harm/suicide prevention/intervention, detention files, admission/release and custody classification system. The ERAU also noted five areas of concern regarding the individual’s medical care, safety, and security at the NEOCC, although they were not violations of the PBNDS.
 

For more information visit our website, www.oig.dhs.gov

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

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DHS OIG Commemorates National Whistleblower Protection Day

DHS OIG Commemorates National Whistleblower Protection Day For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 981-6000

adrian.edwards Fri, 07/30/2021 - 09:27

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 30, 2021 Download PDF (143.41 KB)

In 1778, the Founding Fathers recognized the importance of whistleblowers and passed legislation declaring it the “duty of all persons in the service of the United States” to report “misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors.”  Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) joins agencies across the federal government to commemorate National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.  

DHS OIG honors whistleblowers who step forward in good faith to promote a more accountable, effective, and efficient government.  The DHS Inspector General hosted a Town Hall today to recognize the important role whistleblowers play in our daily work. 

“IGs deeply value the contributions of whistleblowers, “said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari. “We celebrate those who have blown the whistle, and we are committed to empowering individuals to report waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.  Today, we express our gratitude for their bravery and commitment to improving government.” 

DHS OIG maintains a hotline to receive allegations of waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and suspected criminal activity that pertain to DHS programs and operations.  Individuals may contact the OIG Hotline through our website or by calling (800) 323-8603.  Whistleblowers can choose to remain anonymous when reporting to the OIG.  

DHS OIG also has a Whistleblower Protection Coordinator, who plays an important role as a resource for employees who need to understand the protections and rights afforded them when they report allegations they reasonably believe constitute waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement.  The OIG Whistleblower Protection Coordinator is available to provide general information to DHS employees and contractors on whistleblower rights and protections and can be contacted at whistleblowerprotectioncoordinator@oig.dhs.gov
 

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

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Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Related Unemployment Benefits for Prison Inmates

Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Related Unemployment Benefits for Prison Inmates For Information Contact

Public Affairs (202) 254-4100

adrian.edwards Mon, 06/21/2021 - 15:23

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 11, 2021 Download PDF (110.72 KB)

RICHMOND, Va. – A Glen Allen woman pleaded guilty today to mail fraud for her role in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain pandemic-related unemployment benefits for 22 prison inmates, which she shared with the inmate beneficiaries.

“These critical unemployment funds were intended for deserving members of our communities to help alleviate their economic hardship during the pandemic,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This prosecution and the defendant’s guilty plea send a clear message that EDVA will bring to justice those who unlawfully exploit taxpayer-funded assistance for personal gain.”

According to court documents, Virginia Smith, 37, conspired with an inmate at Baskerville Correctional Center to collect the personally identifiable information of inmates to fraudulently apply for Virginia unemployment benefits from around June 2020 to January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith, with the assistance of the inmate co-conspirator, submitted successful applications for Virginia unemployment benefits for at least 22 inmates at Baskerville Correctional Center, resulting in the dispersal of at least $223,984.72 in fraudulent benefits.

“Smith and her co-conspirators used the identities of prisoners housed at the Baskerville Correctional Center to file fraudulent unemployment claims and unlawfully collect more than $223,000 in resulting benefit payments,” said Derek Pickle, Special Agent-in-Charge, Washington Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “As the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating unemployment insurance fraud, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is committed to supporting the prosecution of individuals who take advantage of unemployment insurance programs. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Virginia Employment Commission, and our law enforcement partners for their invaluable support of our mission.”

“Intentional abuse of COVID-19 unemployment benefits for personal gain is appalling,” said Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security. “Today’s sentencing illustrates that DHS OIG and our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to dismantle these greed-driven schemes.”

As part of their scheme, Smith’s co-conspirator would provide her with the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of inmates serving a sentence at Baskerville Correctional Center. Smith would then file unemployment claims with the Virginia Employment Commission using that information. Once the applications were approved, Smith would share the proceeds of the crime with the inmates whose personal information she used to file the fraudulent claims, keeping a portion of the proceeds for herself. The applications contained several false statements such as a false physical address, rather than the address of the correctional facility at which the inmates were actually living; a false last employer; and a false certification that the inmates were ready, willing, and able to work in the event employment became available.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek Pickle, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security; Jerald W. Page, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Richmond Field Office; and Eric D. English, Chief Henrico County Police Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. accepted the plea.

This investigation was conducted under the auspices of “Operation Checkmate,” the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force. The task force is led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, DOL-OIG, DHS-OIG, and the Virginia Department of Corrections. This investigation included significant assistance from the Virginia Employment Commission.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kashan Pathan is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-60.

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DHS Office of the Inspector General, www.oig.dhs.gov

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