Home News Press Room Press Releases FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending February 18, 2011
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FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending February 18, 2011

Washington, D.C. February 18, 2011
  • FBI National Press Office (202) 324-3691
  1. DOJ/Multiple Field Offices: Medicare Fraud Strike Force Charges 111 Individuals for More Than $225 Million in False Billing and Expands Operations to Two Additional Cities

    The Medicare Fraud Strike Force charged 111 defendants in nine cities, including doctors, nurses, health care company owners and executives, and others, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing. This operation is the largest-ever federal health care fraud takedown. Full Story

  2. Los Angeles: Armenian Power Organized Crime Group Targeted in Federal Indictments That Allege Racketeering Offenses, Including Bank Fraud Schemes, Kidnappings, and Drug Trafficking

    Seventy-four members and associates of the Armenian Power organized crime group were arrested as a result of two federal indictments and state cases that charge a total of 99 defendants with kidnapping, extortion, bank fraud, and narcotics trafficking. Full Story

  3. Houston: Human Trafficking Investigation Leads to Indictment and Arrest of 10 Individuals

    Ten individuals, including the owner and operators of the La Costeñita Bar and El Club Restaurante, were indicted as a result of a three-year investigation into the trafficking of young and minor female Mexican nationals. Full Story

  4. Miami: Twenty People Indicted in Florida for Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Approximately $200 Million in Medicare Billing

    Twenty individuals, including three doctors, were indicted on health care fraud, kickback, and money laundering charges related to their alleged participation in a fraud scheme involving approximately $200 million in Medicare billing for purported mental health services. Full Story

  5. New York: Man Sentenced to Life for Conspiring to Commit Terrorist Attack at JFK Airport

    Russell Defreitas, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Guyana, was sentenced to life in prison for conspiring to commit a terrorist attack at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, by exploding fuel tanks and the fuel pipeline under the airport. Defreitas and his coconspirators believed their attack would cause extensive damage to the airport and to the New York economy, as well as the loss of numerous lives. Full Story

  6. Indianapolis: Illinois Attorney Indicted for Attempting to Provide Heroin to a Federal Inmate

    Attorney Robert A. Drew was indicted for attempting to provide heroin to an inmate of the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. Full Story

  7. Minneapolis: North Dakota Men Sentenced for Crimes Against Federal Officials

    Two men were sentenced for their roles in filing a false $3.4 million lien against U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland of North Dakota and Acting North Dakota U.S. Attorney Lynn C. Jordheim. Full Story

  8. San Antonio: Former Austin Businessman Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Ponzi Scheme

    Former Austin businessman Kurt Branham Barton was charged in a 39-count indictment in connection with a Ponzi scheme which victimized more than 300 individuals and resulted in a total estimated loss to investors of $41 million. Full Story

  9. Chicago: Chicago Options Trader Allegedly Swindled More Than $600,000 in Investment Fraud Scheme

    A Chicago options trader turned himself in for allegedly engaging in an investment fraud scheme that swindled more than $600,000 from approximately 10 victims who invested with him. Full Story

  10. Baltimore: Part-Owner of Tax Preparation Business Admits to Preparing False Tax Returns and Aggravated Identity Theft

    Tyrone Robert Campbell pled guilty to conspiracy to file false tax returns, to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, and to aggravated identity theft. Full Story