News Blog

Tenth Anniversary of Unsolved Triple Murder in South Carolina

View Seeking Information poster

Ten years ago, on May 16, 2003, the Blue Ridge Savings Bank in Greer, South Carolina was robbed and three people were murdered. At a memorial service today in Greer, the victims—bank employee Sylvia Holtzclaw and husband and wife James and Margaret Barnes—were honored, and the FBI and its law enforcement partners reaffirmed their commitment and dedication to the case.

As we continue to remember the victims, we also continue to seek assistance from the public in solving this horrific crime. If you have any information that could help bring this killer to justice, please contact your nearest FBI office.

More information | Seeking Information poster | Related podcast

Director Testifies Regarding Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request

Director Mueller was on Capitol Hill today speaking to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies about the threats faced by the nation—and addressed by the Bureau—as well as the resources needed to combat them.

While requesting a budget of $8.4 billion for fiscal year 2014, Director Mueller explained some of the key national security threats and crime problems—such as terrorism, cyber crime, financial and mortgage fraud, and crimes against children, to name a few—that the funding would help the Bureau to fight. The Director also described technology enhancements that the budget would allow, as well as budget offsets of $61 million.

“Just as our national security and criminal adversaries and threats constantly adapt and evolve, so must the FBI be able to quickly respond with new or revised strategies and operations to counter these threats,” Mueller said. “Looking forward, a key challenge facing the FBI will be maintaining its current capabilities and capacities to respond to these threats at a time when the budgetary environment remains constrained.”

Read full testimony

Combating Elder Fraud

In testimony today before a House subcommittee, FBI Criminal Investigative Division Deputy Assistant Director Joseph S. Campbell discussed the very important and rapidly growing problem of fraud against our nation’s seniors and what the FBI is doing to stop it.

“Senior citizens are most likely to have a ‘nest egg,’ to own their home, and to have excellent credit,” said Campbell. “Unfortunately, these are also many of the same qualities which make them so attractive to con artists.”

From reverse mortgage fraud schemes to telemarketing and Internet fraud to health care fraud and more, “fraud targeting our senior citizens exists in many forms, is creative in its approach, and can often leave our most vulnerable citizens with little to no savings to enjoy a time in life they’ve earned,” Campbell said. “The FBI, in partnership with our federal, state, and local partners is committed to identifying this threat where it exists and taking aggressive action in response.”

Read full testimony | More about elder fraud | Frauds from A to Z

Dozens Charged Nationwide in Massive Health Care Fraud Takedown

	Assistant Director Hosko speaks at press conference.

At a press conference in Washington, D.C. today, FBI Assistant Director Ron Hosko joined Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and other officials in announcing charges against 89 individuals—including doctors, nurses, and other licensed medial professionals—for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $223 million in false billing.

This coordinated operation was the multi-agency Medicare Fraud Strike Force’s sixth national takedown—thus far, nearly 600 individuals have been charged in connection with health care fraud schemes involving almost $2 billion in false claims in these national takedowns alone. Regionally, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in nine locations have resulted in charges against more than 1,500 people who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $5 billion.

The defendants charged today are accused of various health care fraud-related crimes, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, violations of the anti-kickback statutes, and money laundering. The charges are based on a variety of alleged fraud schemes involving various medical treatments and services, primarily home health care, but also mental health services, psychotherapy, physical and occupational therapy, durable medical equipment, and ambulance services.

“We all feel the effects of health care fraud,” said FBI Assistant Director Hosko. “It leads to higher health care costs and makes it harder for seniors and those who are ill to get the care they need. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to preventing and prosecuting health care fraud at all levels.”

- Press release  
- Assistant Director Hosko’s remarks
- Attorney General Holder’s remarks
- Related New York press release
- Related Chicago press release
- Related Los Angeles press release
- Related Miami press release

IC3 Releases 2012 Internet Crime Report

Today, as part of its ongoing education and prevention mission, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released its latest annual snapshot of online crime and fraud—the 2012 Internet Crime Report. While there is no end to the variety of cyber scams, the report highlights some of the most frequent ones from 2012; includes charts for each of the 50 states detailing demographic, complaint, and dollar-loss data; and provides tips on what to look for to avoid becoming a victim.

Full story | Press release | 2012 Internet Crime Report (pdf)

Police Week 2013: Honoring the Fallen

Police officers proceed from a memorial service honoring fallen law enforcement officers.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week, when thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, D.C. to participate in a number of planned events that honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The weeklong event, which includes a candlelight service for fallen officers, draws up to 40,000 attendees from departments and agencies across the U.S. and around the world.

Our coverage of Police Week will include a video message from Director Mueller, preliminary information on the number of law enforcement officers killed and assaulted last year, a photo gallery of Police Week events, and more. Check in throughout the week for updates.

Police Week 2012 coverage

The FBI and Leadership

Executive Assistant Director Janet Kamerman

FBI.gov recently sat down with Janet Kamerman, executive assistant director of our Human Resources Branch—and one of the principal architects of the FBI’s Leadership Development Program—to talk about the importance of leadership at all levels of the organization.

Read Part 1 of interview | Part 2 of interview

Images Released in Benghazi Investigation

Watch Video (Arabic)

This week, the FBI released images of three individuals who were on the grounds of the U.S. Special Mission in Benghazi when it was attacked September 11, 2012. The grainy still images, taken from surveillance video, show three men who may be able to provide information to help the FBI’s larger probe into the attacks that resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including the U.S. Ambassador to Libya.

The Bureau launched a webpage last November to solicit tips in the region, along with a companion Facebook page in Arabic. The webpage, fbi.gov/benghazi, includes images, tip forms, and posters in Arabic and English, as well as an e-mail address, benghazitips@ic.fbi.gov, to submit confidential information to investigators. The site also includes a video featuring an Arabic speaker soliciting tips from the region.

Benghazi webpage | Posters | Video

New Most Wanted Terrorist

On the 40th anniversary of the cold-blooded murder of a New Jersey state trooper, the fugitive convicted of the killing, Joanne Chesimard, has been named a Most Wanted Terrorist by the FBI—the first woman ever and only the second domestic terrorist to make the list.

Officials from the FBI and the New Jersey State Police made the announcement this morning during a press conference, noting that the FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the apprehension of Chesimard, who is believed to be living in Cuba under political asylum. Additionally, the state of New Jersey is offering an independent reward of up to $1 million, bringing the total maximum reward to $2 million.

Read full story

Evidence Response Teams Connect with Kids

A member of the Charlotte ERT demonstrates evidence collection techniques at a local high school.

Members of our Evidence Response Teams (ERTs)—located in FBI offices around the country—often spend their days at scenes of deadly crimes or mass disaster sites collecting evidence to determine what happened and identify criminals or victims.

But once in a while—as their hectic schedules allow—our ERT personnel leave behind the grim nature of their jobs to take part in outreach efforts with young people in their communities, demonstrating forensic procedures and often inspiring their audiences to consider a scientific or other type of career in the FBI.

Read full story