U.S. Justice Department
U.S. Senate spending panel sets funding levels for annual bills
WASHINGTON — A group of U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday approved funding levels for dozens of federal departments for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 — setting up a likely clash with House Republicans as a deadline approaches later this year. The move to advance the spending plan was essential if Congress is going […]
U.S. judge sets mid-August date for Trump trial in classified documents case
Former President Donald Trump is set to face a jury trial on federal charges of mishandling classified information, after the Miami judge overseeing the case signed an order Tuesday scheduling the trial to begin Aug. 14. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, whom Trump appointed to her seat on the federal bench in the Southern […]
Johnston slaughterhouse admits to violating federal meat inspection law
PROVIDENCE — A Johnston-based beef slaughterhouse admitted in federal court Thursday that it defrauded customers over falsified meat inspections in 2019. Rhode Island Beef and Veal and one of its owners, Michael A. Quattrucci, pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding customers by claiming that beef had been inspected under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. The […]
North Kingstown man sentenced for role in Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol
A North Kingstown man was sentenced today to serve two months in federal prison and 12 months of probation for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Bernard Joseph Sirr, 47, pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington D.C. in January to a felony count for assaulting, resisting, or impeding […]
Former ophthalmology chain owner to pay $1.1 million to feds for alleged kickbacks
PROVIDENCE — The founder of a Rhode Island ophthalmology chain will pay more than $1 million to settle civil allegations concerning kickbacks to his former practices, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday. The Justice Department claims that Dr. Paul S. Koch, Koch Eye Associates and Claris Vision, sent kickback payments to optometrists in return for referrals for […]
Trucking company owner admits to violating EPA regulations
PROVIDENCE — The owner of a North Kingstown-based trucking company pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Monday to conspiracy charges related to violating the Clean Air Act. Under the federal law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards that limit the emission of air pollutants from various types of vehicle engines. To meet […]