Reid bill moves forward despite costs Washington, D.C. ... Late Saturday night, the majority party was able to get the 60 votes necessary to ensure that Majority Leader Reid's health care reform bill will be considered by the full U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., spoke multiple times on the Senate floor over the last few days outlining the pitfalls of the bill. He said the 2,074 page bill will: increase taxes for nearly every American, cut Medicare for seniors, mandate every American to buy health insurance regardless of their age or health, mandate small businesses purchase health insurance for their employees, and add trillions of dollars of government spending. "The Majority Leader has jammed ten pounds of ent... more

Says Reid health care reform bill costs taxpayers, decreases quality Washington, DC ... Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against moving ahead on a health care reform proposal, saying that the legislation, drafted behind closed doors with only Democrats involved, is a massive government takeover that will drive up the cost of health insurance and medical care. The legislation passed on a strictly partisan vote of 60 to 39; Crapo voted nay. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that the Senate will begin full debate on the measure following the Thanksgiving state work period. "This 2,000-plus page bill is not the kind of reform the American people want," Crapo said following the vote. "It raises taxes by half a trillion doll... more

Senate Votes on Whether or Not to Take Up 2,074-Page Reform Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. ... U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced that he will vote against a motion to allow the Senate to begin debate on a 2,074-page bill intended to reform the American health care system. Cochran, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal health care programs, has been increasingly concerned about the impact several provisions in this legislation would have on Mississippi and the nation. "Mississippians have been clear about their opposition to the health legislation before the Senate. Higher insurance premiums, tax increases, unfunded Medicaid mandates and Medicare c... more

Senate Votes on Whether or Not to Take Up 2,074-Page Reform Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. ... U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced that he will vote against a motion to allow the Senate to begin debate on a 2,074-page bill intended to reform the American health care system. Cochran, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal health care programs, has been increasingly concerned about the impact several provisions in this legislation would have on Mississippi and the nation. "Mississippians have been clear about their opposition to the health legislation before the Senate. Higher insurance premiums, tax increases, unfunded Medicaid mandates and Medicare c... more

PHILADELPHIA—Malik Snell, 37, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for an attempted home-invasion robbery in Pottstown, and the robbery of a large-scale drug dealer, Ricardo McKendrick, in Philadelphia, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Both robberies were carried out in December 2007. Snell, a former Philadelphia police officer, was convicted June 9, 2009, of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick ordered Snell to pay restitution in the amount of $7,261.04, a $400 special assessment, and s... more

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced for the second year in a row it has awarded nearly $8 million in matching grants to support its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Under the VITA Grant Program, the IRS awarded matching grants to 147 organizations that will offer free tax preparation services during the 2010 filing season at locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. "We're proud to support the VITA program and their volunteer tax preparers who provide an invaluable service to millions of taxpayers," said Richard Byrd, Jr.,IRS Wage and Investment Operating Division Commissioner. The funds will be used to: * Enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations an... more

HUNTSVILLE—U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor today sentenced REUBEN EUGENE FERGUSON to 17 . years in prison for possessing, receiving and transporting child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley. Ferguson, 65, of Huntsville, had downloaded thousands of images of child pornography from the Internet and also had uploaded such images, according to court documents. The number and variety of the images were factors which the judge considered in fashioning his sentence in the case. The judge also noted that the actions of individuals who obtain, provide and trade in these images drives a market that results in the images being created. Judge Proctor ordered Ferguson imm... more

ATLANTA, GA—ROMULUS BACIAN, 40, and MARIUS ENACHE CSAPAY, 45, both of Romania, pleaded guilty today to their roles in a conspiracy to steal ATM/debit card account information from hundreds of Washington Mutual customers using "skimming" equipment they illegally affixed to ATMs around the metro Atlanta area. "Illegal skimming for personal gain is a 'high tech' crime and we have adapted our technology and assets to further the investigations of this specific type of electronic crime. With assistance from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, those individuals and organized groups who engage in ATM fraud and skimming will be fully investigated, apprehended, and face federal prison," said Jeffrey Gilbert, Special Agen... more

ATLANTA, GA—VIKTOR PLESHCHUK, 28, of St. Petersburg, Russia; SERGEI T.URIKOV, 25, of Tallinn, Estonia; and OLEG COVELIN, 28, of Chişinău, Moldova, along with an unidentified individual, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, computer fraud, and aggravated identity theft. IGOR GRUDIJEV, 31, RONALD TSOI, 31, EVELIN TSOI, 20, and MIHHAIL JEVGENOV, 33, each of Tallinn, Estonia, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of access device fraud. Acting United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, "Last November, in just one day, an American credit card processor was hacked in perhaps the most sophistic... more

PORTLAND, OR—Mark A. Hoffman, 35, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones to 50 years in prison following Hoffman's guilty plea to two counts of production of child pornography. Hoffman will also serve a lifetime of supervision. Judge Jones stated this was one of the worst cases he had seen in his 47 years in practice. "It is appalling that this father would steal the innocence of his own children," stated Acting United States Attorney Kent Robinson. "Because of the determined collaborative efforts of law enforcement, this parent has been brought to justice for his crimes." The federal investigation began in 2006 when an undercover online police officer, working with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investig... more

MEDFORD, OR—A federal indictment was unsealed today charging eight defendants with trafficking heroin in Southern Oregon. Ismael Anaya, 27, of Medford, Oregon, and Eliot Delavirgen, 33, of White City, Oregon, previously appeared in federal court on October 5, 2009 and remain in custody pending a December 8th trial date. The following defendants made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark D. Clarke: Shannon Christopher Harrop, 20, Jerret Hooey, 21, Judith Potteiger, 28, Ronald Coutee, 54, Erica Lapizco, 31, all from Medford; and Anthony Albert, 46 of Gold Hill, Oregon, Also charged, defendant Judith Potteiger, 28, of Medford, will appear at a later date. All defendants entered a... more

HOUSTON—Clarence Lewis III, 46, of Houston, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole for running a mortgage fraud scheme, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. United States District Judge Lynn N. Hughes handed down the prison sentence at a hearing this afternoon. Lewis was convicted May 13, 2009, of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud by Judge Hughes following a bench trial before Judge Hughes. The United States proved that as part of a conspiracy, Lewis obtained more than $12 million in fraudulent residential mortgage loans during the course of his five-year mortgage fraud scheme beginning in 2002. Lewis held both a mortgage broker's license and real estat... more

WASHINGTON—A South Korean businessman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to five years in prison for his role in a bribery conspiracy involving a $206 million telecommunications contract and employees of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), the Justice Department announced. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade also ordered Gi-Hwan Jeong to pay a $50,000 fine. Jeong pleaded guilty on June 11, 2009, to a five-count indictment, charging him with one count of conspiracy, two counts of honest services wire fraud and two counts of bribery. AAFES is a federal entity that provides billions of dollars worth of goods and services annually to U.S. Armed Force... more

Fifteen individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury relating to charges of conspiracy to distribute crack and powder cocaine in Bay City, Michigan, United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced today. The indictments are the result of a joint FBI and ATF investigation targeting members of the "Marshall Organization," a drug trafficking group operating throughout the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Berg was joined in the announcement by Gustavo Grodsinsky, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Thomas E. Brandon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Police Chief Michael J. Cecchini, Bay City Police Department. The indictment was sealed by court order until ... more

MADISON, WI—Stephen P. Sinnott, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mesha Hamlin, 35, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on November 10th in U.S. District Court in Madison by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker to one year of federal probation for attempting to introduce prohibited items into a federal prison camp at Oxford, Wisconsin. On February 8, 2009, Hamlin attempted to provide bottles of alcohol and jars of protein powder to Earnest Neal, an inmate of the Federal Prison Camp, Oxford, Wisconsin. The inmate, Earnest Neal, was sentenced on October 29, 2009, to two months in prison consecutive to the term of imprisonment he was serving at the time of the offense. The charge a... more

BROWNSVILLE, TX—Former Department of Public Safety Trooper Jesus Rafael Larrazolo has been sentenced to federal prison without parole for possessing with intent to distribute 26 kilograms of cocaine, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Larrazolo, 31, of Brownsville, was indicted in December 2008 and convicted in January 2009 after entering a plea of guilty to the federal cocaine trafficking charge. Today, United States District Judge Andrew Hanen sentenced Larrazolo to 87 months in federal prison without parole to be followed by a five-year-term of supervised release. Larrazolo was arrested by officers of the Brownsville Police Department (BPD) and agents of the FBI's Special Investigations Unit on Nov. 21, 200... more

DAYTON—A federal grand jury here has indicted James L. Mack, 64, a former loan officer at the Centerville branch of Republic Bank, Walter A. Millat, 70, and his son William E. Millat, 49, all of Dayton, charging the three men with operating a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $4.5 million in mortgage loans by fraudulently orchestrating the purchase and sale of more than 100 properties in the Dayton area between 2001 and 2006. Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Nancy Grinnell, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC), and other members of the Greater Dayton Mortgage Fraud Task Force announced the indictment returned Tuesday, ... more

LEXINGTON, KY—A former Paris, Ky. high school teacher pleaded guilty in federal court today to two counts of possession of child pornography. Kenneth Shadoan, 31, admitted he possessed child pornography images in his vehicle and at his mother's residence in Pulaski County between May of 2007 and May of 2009. Authorities found approximately 225 child pornography photos and 30 videos on CD's in Shadoan's truck and in his bedroom at his mother's residence. According to court documents, in May of 2009, the mother of a 17-year-old high school student contacted Paris Police and stated that her son's girlfriend discovered that her son sent nude photos of himself to Shadoan from his phone to receive a better math grade. Shadoan of... more

PHOENIX—Jeffrey Todd Crandell, 33, of Mesa, Ariz., pleaded guilty on November 9, 2009, to six counts of Bank Fraud for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme. Sentencing will take place on February 22, 2010, before U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow. Crandell was the leader of a sophisticated cash-back mortgage fraud scheme. In 2005, he obtained the rights to various parcels of real estate located in Queen Creek, Ariz., obscured his interest in those properties by placing them in the name of his brother-in-law, and then recruited friends and acquaintances to buy the properties for inflated prices—often hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the cost of the land. Crandell also acted as the mortgage broker for each transaction... more

ERIC M. HAWKINS, 40, a former resident of Bremerton, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to seven years in prison, five years of supervised release and $11,846 in restitution for Armed Bank Robbery. HAWKINS had been incarcerated in Texas on drug charges when authorities linked him to the April 20, 2006 robbery of a Key Bank branch in Bremerton. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, "It cannot be understated the terror that can be imposed upon someone who is having a regular day at work and is confronted with a gun and believes that this may be the last moment of their lives." In April 2009, HAWKINS admitted in federal court that on the morning of April 20, 2006, he was armed with a handgu... more

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that MICHAEL KOULOUROUDIS, an accomplice of a former UBS investment banker, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge PAUL G. GARDEPHE on charges of conspiracy and securities fraud as a result of trading based on inside information stolen from UBS. According to the Complaint and Superseding Indictment previously filed in this case, and statements made during KOULOUROUDIS's guilty plea: From 2005 through November 2006, KOULOUROUDIS executed securities trades based on material, nonpublic information about mergers and acquisitions that KOULOUROUDIS received from NICOS A. STEPHANOU, who was working as an investment banker at UBS's New... more

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found JAMES BOTTI, 46, of Shelton, guilty of one count of conspiracy to structure cash transactions and one count of structuring cash transactions. The jury found BOTTI not guilty of two counts of making false statements to the Internal Revenue Service ... Criminal Investigation Division. According to the evidence presented during the trial, BOTTI conspired with his father, Peter C. Botti, to structure cash deposits in order to hide the existence of a large amount of BOTTI's cash from the IRS and federal law enforcement authorities. Federal law requires all financial institutions to file a Currency Transaction Report... more

PORTLAND, OR—Johnathan Darrell Singleton, 43, Portland, Oregon, was sentenced on November 10, 2009, by U.S. District Judge Ancer L. Haggerty to serve 151 months in federal prison for bank robbery. Singleton was also ordered to serve a federal supervised release term of three years following his release from prison. Singleton's criminal history includes four state convictions for robbery, and convictions for assault and burglary. Defendant pled guilty to one count of bank robbery on August 31, 2009. On May 26, 2009, at about 9:30 a.m., Singleton entered the Northwest Resources Federal Credit Union on Northwest Second Avenue in Portland, Oregon and approached a bank teller. Singleton asked the bank teller for a business card and then... more

BOSTON, MA—A Boise, Idaho man was charged today and agreed to plead guilty in federal court with wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud an investment company of $3.1 million in order to buy and sell securities using the company's money rather than his own. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced today that TIMOTHY PATRICK FLAHERTY, age 27, most recently of Boise, Idaho, was charged in an Information with one count of wire fraud. The Information alleges that between September 10 and September 15, 2008, FLAHERTY, a customer of an investment company, initiated 31 separate electronic funds transfers (EFT... more

SPRINGFIELD, MA—A Ware man was charged today in federal court with Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and Manufacturing Explosive Materials without a License. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Resident Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense's Department of Criminal Investigative Service in Boston; and Randy Miskanic, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Boston Division, announced today that ABRAHAM FORISH, a... more

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that MICHAEL KOULOUROUDIS, an accomplice of a former UBS investment banker, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge PAUL G. GARDEPHE on charges of conspiracy and securities fraud as a result of trading based on inside information stolen from UBS. According to the Complaint and Superseding Indictment previously filed in this case, and statements made during KOULOUROUDIS's guilty plea: From 2005 through November 2006, KOULOUROUDIS executed securities trades based on material, nonpublic information about mergers and acquisitions that KOULOUROUDIS received from NICOS A. STEPHANOU, who was working as an investment banker at UBS's New... more

The Miami Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Miami Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are seeking information from individuals who have invested in the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment (RSSI) or from individuals who have information that would be helpful to the investigation. To facilitate information gathering, the FBI has established a dedicated e-mail address and an informational telephone line 1-800-CALL-FBI, "Rothstein Option." Details of the investigation cannot be discussed at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. However, the FBI and IRS are seeking to identify victims and to obtain any information to determine the extent of any potential fraud. In an effort to determi... more

The Miami Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Miami Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are seeking information from individuals who have invested in the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment (RSSI) or from individuals who have information that would be helpful to the investigation. To facilitate information gathering, the FBI has established a dedicated e-mail address and an informational telephone line 1-800-CALL-FBI, "Rothstein Option." Details of the investigation cannot be discussed at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. However, the FBI and IRS are seeking to identify victims and to obtain any information to determine the extent of any potential fraud. In an effort to determi... more

WASHINGTON—A former consultant for Willbros International Inc. (WII), a subsidiary of Houston-based Willbros Group Inc. (Willbros), pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to pay more than $6 million in bribes to government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officials from a Nigerian political party, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Assistant Director Joseph Persichini Jr., of the FBI's Washington Field Office. Paul G. Novak, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Simeon T. Lake III in Houston to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and one substantive count of violating the FCPA. Sentencing has been scheduled for F... more

BIRMINGHAM—U.S. District Court Judge Inge P. Johnson today sentenced an Anniston man to 20 years and 4 months in prison for the armed robbery of three Alabama banks in 2007, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley. A federal jury in July convicted RODNEY EUGENE TUCKER, 40, on the three armed bank robbery counts and on one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. "This defendant not only robbed these banks of money, he robbed innocent employees and customers of their safety and peace, and threatened their very lives," Vance said. "The FBI and this office will always work diligently to track such violent offenders and bring them to justice." On March 2, 2007, Tucker en... more

WASHINGTON—Frederic A. Bourke Jr., of Greenwich, Conn., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to one year and one day in prison, announced Mythili Raman, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Following a six-week trial, Bourke, 63, was found guilty on July 10, 2009, of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and related prohibitions, and of making false statements to the FBI. The FCPA makes it a crime to pay or offer to pay foreign government officials in order to obtain or retain business. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin ordered Bourke to pay a $1 m... more

PHOENIX—Jorge Gutierrez, 31, of Tempe, Ariz., was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Neil W. Wake. Gutierrez pleaded guilty on August 25, 2009, to three Credit Union and Bank Robberies. Between October 30, 2008, and March 24, 2009, Gutierrez entered Desert School's Federal Credit Unions and a Bank of America in the Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe areas, and presented notes to the victim tellers demanding money and indicating he had a gun. Chandler Police Officers arrested Gutierrez on March 24, 2009, as Gutierrez fled from one of the robberies. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Chandler, Phoenix and Tempe Police Departments. The prosecu... more

WICHITA, KS—Vicki J. Olivarez, 34, Wichita, Kan., has been indicted on charges of stealing more than $948,000 from her employer, Pistotnik Law Offices. Olivarez is charged with one count of bank fraud and 10 counts of forging the signature of Brian Pistotnik on checks drawn on the law firm's account. The alleged crimes occurred from Sept. 27, 2004, through Sept. 2, 2009, while Olivarez was a bookkeeper for the law firm. The indictment alleges that Olivarez wrote 441 checks totaling $948,041 payable to herself, her husband and cash. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the bank fraud charge, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of forgery. The Fede... more

KANSAS CITY, KS—Nicholas Henry, 26, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after felony convictions, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today. A criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., alleges that on Nov. 1, 2009, Henry attempted to avoid arrest by firing a handgun at members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Violent Crimes Task Force. Because of previous felony convictions, Henry was prohibited from possessing a gun. According to an agent's affidavit, task force members spotted Henry with a Red Dodge pickup truck near 151st and Ridgeview Road in Olathe. Henry was wanted on outstanding warrants from Johnson County, and the truck had been reported stolen. When task... more

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on November 9, 2009, Cassero Lenell Washington, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, pleaded guilty in federal court in Anchorage to one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. Washington, age 31, pled guilty before United States District Court Judge John W. Sedwick. In connection with the guilty plea, Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin White, who prosecuted the case, advised the court that on three occasions in 2007, and 2008, the defendant sold crack cocaine to a government informant. Also, in December of 2007, the defendant was involved in a DUI traffic stop. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the vehicle th... more

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that Ropati Talamaivao, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 90 months for his convictions of drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances. Chief United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the sentence on Talamaivao, age 27. According to information presented to the court by Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin White, the defendant conspired with Letane Fagaese Fesolai to sell methamphetamine to a government informant on two separate occasions in 2008. Acting together, Talamaivao and Fesolai distributed 10.99 grams of pure methamphetamine. Fesolai pled guilty to a charge... more

MONIQUE MARIE JACKSON, age 28, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was sentenced in federal court today by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to three (3) years probation and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. According to court documents, JACKSON previously pled guilty admitting that during Hurricane Katrina, she resided in Bakersfield, California. JACKSON presented a fraudulently obtained Red Cross claim number to Western Union to obtain funds otherwise intended for victims of Hurricane Katrina. As a result, Western Union wired the claim number to Texas or Missouri resulting in a payment of $1,565.00 to JACKSON. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigat... more

NASHVILLE, TN—United States Attorney Edward M. Yarbrough; Martin P. Phanco, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, and My Harrison, Special Agent in Charge, Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today the filing of a federal felony criminal information against Barron A. Mathis, former Vice President and portfolio manager for J.C. Reed & Company, Inc. ("J.C. Reed & Company"), a failed financial services company previously based in Franklin, Tennessee. The felony Information, filed on November 3, 2009 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville, charged Mathis with four counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, S... more

NEW ORLEANS, LA—NATHANIEL JACKSON III, age 23, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea today in federal court before U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey admitting that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, or "crack," between August 13, 2008, and November 26, 2008, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. According to court documents, JACKSON, his ex-wife, Destiny C. Route, age 26, Kalic K. Jackson, age 30, Nathaniel Jackson, Jr., age 51, Kendrick D. Chatman, Jr., age 35, and Kenneth D. Davidson, age 30, all residents of Covington, Louisiana, were charged in a 12-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury on April 23, 2009, for various violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. JACKSON is the f... more

NEW ORLEANS, LA—DR. GREGORY KHOURY, age 55, a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a 48-count indictment with over $1 million in health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. According to today's indictment, between 1999, until about June of 2006, DR. GREGORY KHOURY, defrauded Medicare, the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP) and its associated health care benefit providers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS), Tricare, the health care provided for active and retired men and women in our armed services and their families, and Travelers Insurance Company, who processed worker's compensation claims. Specifically, the indictment alleges KHOURY fraudulently submitted claims to ... more

CAMDEN—An Edgewater Park man was sentenced to 462 months in federal prison today for committing two violent armed bank robberies of the same PNC bank branch in Glendora, during which he forced bank employees at gunpoint into the bank's vault, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez, who presided over the eight-day trial, also ordered Michael A. Powell, 40, to pay approximately $112,000 in restitution and to serve five years of supervised release upon the completion of his prison term. On May 1, 2009, after nine hours of deliberations, a federal jury convicted Powell of all counts contained in a four-count Indictment, which charged him with two counts each of armed bank robbery and use of ... more

Dennis Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Paul Reinthaler, age 47, has been sentenced by United States District Judge William J. Nealon to 37 months' imprisonment for mail fraud and possession of a weapon in prison. According to U.S. Attorney Pfannenschmidt, the defendant was charged via a criminal information with mail fraud and possession of a weapon in prison, which he pleaded guilty to on August 11, 2009. Reinthaler was an inmate in the Federal Correctional Institution in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, when he devised a fraudulent scheme to obtain credit cards by submitting applications containing false information as to his true residence and employment history. Reintha... more

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAYMOND PACHECO, also known as "Tito," 39, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for his role in an extensive cocaine trafficking conspiracy. On May 11, 2009, PACHECO pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. This matter stems from a five-month investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Safe Streets Task Force. According to court documents and the evidence disclosed during the trial of Antonio Miguel Arias, PACHECO was a trus... more

ATLANTA, GA—A federal jury late today returned guilty verdicts against RICARDO LARIOS-TRUJILLO, a/k/a "Rico," 34, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; RAMON CORTEZ, a/k/a "Toro," 21, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and HOMER LARIOS, a/k/a "Hummer," 34, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Additionally, RICARDO LARIOS-TRUJILLO and HOMER LARIOS were convicted by the jury of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The trial lasted seven days. The jury returned its verdict after approximately two hours of deliberation. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Greg Jones said, "Today's conviction is a major step forward and proof of progress in restoring normalcy to a region that has been h... more

PHILADELPHIA—A five-count indictment was returned today charging Shawn K. Johnson and Keenan Danan Quinn with conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. The indictment alleges that on August 6, 2009, Johnson robbed the Harleysville National Bank, located at 1498 North Wales Road in North Wales, Pennsylvania, and that on August 27, 2009, Johnson and Quinn used a Storm Ruger, 9mm semi-automatic handgun, to rob the National Penn Bank, located at 304 South Henderson Road in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFENDANT NAME ADDRESS AGE Shawn K. Johnson... more

TEXARKANA, AR—Bernie Hoffman, aka Tony Alamo, founder and leader of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, age 75, was sentenced to 175 years' imprisonment today by U.S. District Court Judge Harry F. Barnes in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, announced U.S. Attorney Deborah Groom. Alamo was convicted this summer of charges that he transported minor girls across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity. On July 24, 2009, after six days of testimony, the jury found Alamo guilty on all 10 counts of the federal indictment. During the trial, the women testified Alamo had sexual relations with them while they were underage and that they traveled across state lines with Alamo, or at his request, for the... more

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, November 12, 2009, that Wendy Lynn Starr, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 60 months for her conviction of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. United States District Court Judge John W. Sedwick imposed the sentence on Starr, 38. According to information presented to the court by Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin White, law enforcement found 43 grams of "crack cocaine" in Starr's possession during a traffic stop. Starr has a criminal history dating back twenty years for offenses such as prostitution, false information, battery, driving without a license, felony theft, and d... more

WASHINGTON—Steven W. Burgess, a former Jackson County, Mo., sheriff's deputy, pleaded guilty in federal court today to violating the civil rights of a teenage girl whom he sexually assaulted in his patrol car, the Justice Department announced. Burgess, 35, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to the charge contained in an April 7, 2009 federal indictment. As part of his plea, Burgess admitted that while he was a deputy sheriff with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, he deprived a 15-year-old girl of her Constitutional rights by sexually assaulting her while she was in his custody. Under the terms of today's plea agreement, the government and Burgess agree that a sentence of 14 yea... more

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that former New York City Police Officer CHRISTIAN TORRES was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 78 months in prison for armed bank robbery, bank larceny, and conspiracy to defraud a bank. United States District Judge LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN ordered twelve of the 78 months imposed today to run consecutively to the 121-month sentence previously imposed on TORRES for a separate armed bank robbery, and a related firearms offense, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment and Complaints previously filed in the case, as well as statements made during today's and prior court proceeding... more

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the filing of an amended civil Complaint seeking forfeiture of the Alavi Foundation's interest in a 36-story office tower located at 650 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan (the "Building"). The Building is owned by 650 Fifth Avenue Company, a partnership between the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corporation. The original Complaint, which was filed in December 2008 and amended today, sought forfeiture of Assa Corporation's interest in the Building. The amended Complaint alleges that the Alavi Foundation has been providing numerous services to the Iranian Government and transferring funds from 650 Fifth Avenue Company to Bank Melli, a bank wholly ow... more

Titans 20 Texans 17 HOUSTON (AP) - Rob Bironas kicked a 53- yard field goal with less than a minute remaining and the Titans beat the Texans 20-17 for their fourth straight victory after an 0- 6 start. more

U.S. President Barack Obama said he believes the American people will be supportive of his decision on U.S. strategy and troop presence in Afghanistan. more

DETROIT _ General Motors Co.'s efforts to sell its Saab subsidiary have run afoul, with the buyer terminating the deal, the automaker announced Tuesday. more

Nov. 24--Gov. Mark Sanford has a second layer of legal protection -- at taxpayers' expense. more

General Motors Co. said Tuesday a Swedish buyer lined up to purchase Saab Automobiles had backed out of the deal. more

A man presumed to have been in a coma for 23 years has spoken of his "second birth" after doctors realised that he had been fully conscious all along but unable to communicate. more

Hindus went to Bariyapur, Nepal, to attend a festival featuring what is believed to be the world's largest animal sacrifice, attending priests said. more

Search teams removed two dozen bodies from shallow graves Tuesday in the Philippines, bringing a pre-election massacre's death toll to 46, officials said. more

Nov. 24--ABC said Monday more than 1,500 people called to complain about Adam Lambert's sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards. more

U.S. President Obama is done gathering data on troop options in Afghanistan and likely will reveal his decision next week, the White House said Tuesday. more

WASHINGTON - The head of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has conceded that the agency has not been "acting as quickly as it should" on crib safety problems. more

Two men were executed in China Tuesday in the country's tainted milk scandal, which sickened 300,000 infants, killing six. more

Nov. 24--The Texans didn't just lose a game Monday night. more

HOUSTON -- The Tennessee Titans are rapidly becoming the NFL team with the losing record that no opponent wants to see. more

Joe Mauer has his place in history. more

Nov. 24--The State Ethics Commission has charged Gov. Mark Sanford with breaking state ethics laws 37 times, including using state planes for family trips, spending campaign funds on a hunting trip and flying first class, instead of coach, while on state travel. more

Nov. 24--Joe Mauer's bat might not be magical, but it sure seems like it sometimes, as it did back on May 1, when the Twins' catcher belatedly started his 2009 season. more

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Rob Bironas booted a 53-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining and Kris Brown missed a potential tying kick for a second straight game as Tennessee continued its resurgence with a 20-17 victory over the Houston Texans. more

Nov. 24--U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy's public feud with Rhode Island's top bishop over abortion rights comes as the nation's Catholic parishes have received marching orders to use bulletins and Mass announcements to inform parishioners about church positions on health-care reform. more

Rob Bironas kicked a 53-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining Monday and the Tennessee Titans won their fourth straight game, topping Houston 20-17. more

MINNEAPOLIS _ Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is so popular in his home state that there are ruffed grouse that will not leave him alone. more

NEW YORK - Joe Mauer sat behind a table on a podium in a conference room at the Metrodome when Justin Morneau shouted out the last question of the day. more

MINNEAPOLIS _ Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was named the American League's Most Valuable Player on Monday by the Baseball Writers Association of America. more

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, who led the league in batting, was voted the American League Most Valuable Player, it was announced Monday. more

Nov. 23--After signing books for almost three hours, Sarah Palin rolled out of Fort Bragg this afternoon on her book tour bus. more

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford faces ethics charges on 37 counts of using his office for personal financial gain, the state ethics commission said Monday. more

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been named the American League's Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. more

Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts Randy Bresnik and Robert Satcher Jr. finished the last spacewalk of the STS-129 mission Monday in five hours and 42 minutes. more

LONDON - Rafael Nadal lost to Robin Soderling for the second straight time, falling 6-4, 6-4 Monday in their opening round-robin match at the ATP World Tour Finals. more

Nov. 23--New York's two senators voted Saturday to send a health care bill on for debate in efforts to reform the system and assure medical treatment for more Americans. more

Robin Soderling defeated world No. more

Nov. 23--Rhode Island's top Roman Catholic leader issued a scathing remonstrance of U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy yesterday after his bombshell admission that the bishop barred him from receiving communion because of his pro-choice stance. more

Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts Randy Bresnik and Robert Satcher Jr. began their STS-129 mission's final spacewalk at 8:24 a.m. EST Monday. more

Driven by the first-time buyer tax credit, existing-home sales showed another big gain in October with a strong uptrend established over the past seven months, while inventories continue to decline, according to the National Association of Realtors(R). more

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid must balance demands of liberal and conservative Democrats to craft a passable healthcare reform bill, Democrats say. more

Yet the Senate majority leader wasn't going to get anywhere without a bill that from the outset carried credibility, in terms of policy and politics. more

Gunmen took dozens of hostages Monday in the Philippine province of Maguindanao province, killing many them, officials said. more

Roadside-bomb and insurgent attacks killed four U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, the military said Monday. more

Nov. 23--HOMESTEAD -- A payback incident on Lap 155 of Sunday's Ford 400 could have turned the championship finale upside down. more

CHICAGO -- In their previous five wins, the Philadelphia Eagles breezed by an average 20-point margin of victory. more

CAPE CANAVERAL -- Atlantis astronauts have delivered more than 14 tons of spare parts and supplies to the International Space Station over the past week, but this shuttle mission may be best remembered for a 6-pound, 13-ounce bundle delivered back on Earth. more

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Denny Hamlin's good days in this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup -- such as Sunday's Ford 400 victory -- made it easy to buy his declaration that he could run with Jimmie Johnson. more

WASHINGTON -- It took months of deliberation, presidential prodding and a last-minute, $300 million deal to start Senate debate on the health care bill. more

Lawyer: 9/11 suspects will plead not guilty more

The undefeated Indianapolis Colts found yet another way to win a close game, their 19th straight victory. more

Nov. 23--CHICAGO -- The Eagles, after another evening of missed opportunities and foolish penalties, finally executed one of those fourth-quarter comebacks that had been so elusive over the last two seasons. more

CHICAGO _ The Big Sleep lasted almost three quarters. more

THE DEATH toll from China's latest coal mining disaster rose to 92 yesterday as hopes of finding survivors from Saturday's gas explosion dimmed. more

A lawyer for one of five men facing trial for the September 11 attacks in the US said the men plan to plead not guilty and use the trial to express their political views. more

A Canadian woman on long-term sick leave who said she lost her benefits because of photos on Facebook is fighting to get them reinstated. more

New York, NY (Sports Network) - For the second straight year and the third time in the last five seasons, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has been named the National League's Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. more

Nov. 23--"IF you build it, they will come." more

NEW YORK - Albert Pujols was unanimously voted National League MVP on Tuesday, becoming the first player to repeat since Barry Bonds won four in a row from 2001-04. more

Nov. 24--SEATTLE -- The last stray flakes of glittering confetti were still fluttering down toward the field when Real Salt Lake president Bill Manning started up the tunnel toward the locker room, a terrific smile stuck to his face. more

Nov. 24--The North County Wildcats players might be a bit young to hitch-hike. more

Nov. 24--CEDAR FALLS -- An 18-0 Missouri Valley Conference volleyball regular season is in the books. more

KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic - Canada's women's basketball team will face Australia, China and Belarus in the opening round of next year's FIBA world championships. more

Nov. 24--Steve Mesler can't help thinking what he plans to do if his dreams, his fantasies, turn into gold in February. more

Nov. 24--The Beddingfield girls and boys basketball teams will certainly have their options this seasons. more

Head coach Mark Farley doesn't plan to stay on that clock very long. more

Arsene Wenger has told his Arsenal stars to forget about the World Cup and concentrate on driving the Gunners to success both in the Barclays Premier League and Europe. more

Nov. 24--Few, if any, expected the Sooners to enter Saturday's Bedlam football game with five losses. more

Nov. 24--Even if only one of them (Mehmet Okur) ever has attended a game, even if nobody admitted watching more than a few minutes of the action Sunday, the Jazz nevertheless expressed admiration Monday at Real Salt Lake's MLS Cup championship. more

Nov. 24--What started out as a few fellows kicking a ball around has blossomed into a nicely run league of fun and competitive action. more

Nov. 24--A young Jamestown High School hockey team made its season debut on Monday night. more

Nov. 24--Manager Ken Oberkfell and pitching coach Ricky Bones will return to lead the Buffalo Bisons in 2010, the parent New York Mets announced today. more

Nov. 24--FOXBORO -- High in the opposite corner of Gillette Stadium from the three Super Bowl championship banners hangs a banner commemorating the Patriots' perfect 2007 regular season. more

WASHINGTON - The NFL and its players union have approved independent doctors to evaluate head injuries for about half of the league's 32 teams as part of a new program. more

Nov. 24--As he explained why he would intentionally walk Albert Pujols even when baseball tradition and accepted strategy screamed not to, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre offered a seven-word defense of his action: "Albert is in a class by himself." more

Nov. 24--I was alerted to a story in the New York Times over the weekend that detailed the economic woes of the LPGA Tour and some of its players. more

Anna Nordqvist shot a 7-under-par 65 and won the LPGA Tour Championship in Houston Monday by two-strokes over Lorena Ochoa. more

Nov. 24--As a tumultuous season draws to a bitter close, Notre Dame and the faces of the football program continue to take hit after hit. more

The Marshall Plan was easier to execute than the plan that's needed to fix the Cleveland Browns. more

Nov. 24--It may have been the lowest moment of what turned out to be a breakthrough season for MacArthur, but Generals coach Felipe Phillips can laugh about it now. more

BSU (2-0) is coming off back-to-back wins to capture Viterbo Tournament Tournament title last weekend in La Crosse, Wis. more

Nov. 24--She's a chameleon in soccer cleats. more

Nov. 24--Despite starting three newcomers and already dealing with injury problems, the Hood men's basketball team came close to winning the Pride of Maryland Basketball Tournament over the weekend. more

Roethlisberger, Warner leave with injuries: The two quarterbacks from last season's Super Bowl left their games after taking blows to the head Sunday. more

Nov. 24--Pick up a newspaper during the summer months and you'll find plenty of baseball scores. more

Nov. 24--BOWLING GREEN -- The Somerset Christian girls basketball team started off the season on a winning note, downing the Lady Knights of Victory Christian Academy 44-21. more

Nov. 24--Ohio State won the Big Ten football championship outright, but that success was not reflected on the all-conference team. more

Justin Rose: Burst on to the scene as an amateur at Royal Lytham and St Anne's in 1998 when he holed out from the rough on the final hole to secure a tie for fourth place, winning the Silver Medal. more

Nov. 24--TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Northern Iowa freshman Thibault Vandenabeele finished 90th at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships here Monday. more

Nov. 24--Of all the great things about high school sports, the people involved have to top the list. more

When the top boys' golf tournaments came around this fall, Brian Angis of Thornton Academy played his best. more

Nov. 24--Through the years there have been two constants in the latter part of November in Panama City Beach. more

Nov. 24--Here's a fun fact: The Bills have lost five games this year in which they were tied or in the lead at some point in the fourth quarter. more

Nov. 24--Blending the old and the new oftentimes is difficult. more

Nov. 24--The Rams lost in overtime at Jacksonville, won at Detroit and had the ball at the end against New Orleans and Arizona with a chance to win or force overtime. more

The Boston Celtics assigned guard/forward Bill Walker to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League on Saturday. more

Two members of the close-knit Giants offensive line were not seeing eye-to-eye as they considered embarking on something they'd never encountered in their NFL careers. more

Wayman Tisdale, the Tulsa native who met greatness at Booker T. Washington and the University of Oklahoma, was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame posthumously Sunday night. more

The Champions Tour has selected The Principal Charity Classic as its "Best Event" in 2009. more

Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - The 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini put the wraps on their season-opening four-game homestand when they entertain the Wofford Terriers tonight at Assembly Hall in Champaign. more

PITTSBURGH - Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a concussion, but is expected to play Sunday at Baltimore as long as he continues to pass the daily tests given to players who have sustained the injury. more

THE Champion is on the ropes and it is the former corner man who could deliver the knockout blow. more

Roger Federer is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Andy Murray in a blockbuster clash at London's O2 Arena this evening. more

Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Bills have signed veteran guard Kendall Simmons to replace rookie Eric Wood, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken bone in his leg last Sunday. more

NATURALLY Rory McIlroy will look back on 2009 as the year in which he won his first tournament. more

All season long, it has been suggested Oklahoma was the nation's best one-loss team, its best two-loss or three-loss or even four- loss team. more

Adroit Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ADT)(FRANKFURT: A7V)(BERLIN: A7V) is pleased to announce that it has completed the private placement which was announced on June 24th, 2009 and November 13th, 2009, selling 5,563,067 units at the price of $0.06 per unit to raise gross proceeds of $333,784. more

Eric Gold joins Sterne Agee's Fixed-Income Credit Research team and will follow the Telecommunications, Media and Cable sectors. more

ALIX RESOURCES CORP. ("Alix" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AIX)(FRANKFURT: 37N) is pleased to provide the following corporate update with regards to its various projects. more

Altai Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ATI) (US Sec. Rule 12g3-2(b) File # 82-2950) ("Altai" and the "Company") reports that the option granted to C2C Gold Corporation Inc. ("C2C") on its Malartic Township gold property has been terminated by Altai and Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Globex") due to C2C's non fulfillment of the terms of the option agreement. more

The assets include intellectual property, technical competence, sales and distribution of renewable power generation products for solar, wind, and hybrid energy projects for both residential and commercial purposes in Europe. more

MAYA GOLD & SILVER (TSX VENTURE: MYA) is pleased to announce the Company's first drilling results on its Amizmiz gold and silver project in Morocco. more

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the private placement for increasing the Company's tellurium production and general corporate purposes. more

Nov. 24--JohnsonDiversey Inc. and New York private equity fund Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC have completed a debt financing and recapitalization program that is giving the fund a 46% stake in the firm. more

VMS Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE: VMS) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that Rare Element Resources (TSX VENTURE: RES) ("Rare Element") has now signed the definitive agreement with VMS to acquire the Eden Lake REE project in Manitoba, Canada. more

Dubai-based buyout firm Abraaj Capital has announced that it has agreed to buy Jordanian venture-capital firm Riyada Ventures. more

ARLINGTON, Va. and LONDON, Nov. 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FBR Capital Markets Corporation (Nasdaq:FBCM) (FBR Capital Markets), a leading investment bank serving the middle market, today announced the expansion of the firm's European Institutional Brokerage, a unit of its London-based subsidiary, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey International, Ltd. (FBRIL). more

ExactTarget, a provider of on-demand e-mail and one-to-one marketing solutions, has appointed David Yuan, a principal at Technology Crossover Ventures, to its board of directors following an investment in the company by the US-based venture fund. more

Tres-Or Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: TRS) is pleased to report that fabrication is complete on the gold recovery plant built for its operations in Ghana, West Africa. more

CASTLE GOLD CORPORATION ("Castle Gold" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: CSG) is pleased to announce that it has mailed to shareholders its directors' circular in response to Argonaut Gold Inc.'s proposed all cash acquisition of all of the shares of Castle Gold previously announced on October 28th, 2009 (the "Offer"). more

SHANGHAI, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- SinoLatin Capital (www.sinolatincapital.com) co-hosted a Latin America Investment Seminar with the prestigious Fudan University, where it released its latest white paper titled "China - Latin America Commodity Trade & Investment: Enduring Trends Towards 2027" http:// www.sinolatincapital.cn/Upload/20091123103159.pdf__ The white paper provides a general overview of the commodity trade between China and Latin America, current demand environment and future trends. more

Cartier Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ECR) ("Cartier") is pleased to announce that it has acquired by staking a new high profile gold property. more

Nov. 24--DEMAND FOR GOLD SLUMPS IN UAE: Demand for gold jewellery in the UAE plunged 39 percent in the third quarter year-on-year, according to a new report by the World Gold Council. more

Spring Creek Capital Corp. (OTCBB: SCRK) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with New Castle Financial Services, LLC as Financial Advisor for Stem Holdings, Inc., its portfolio investment company. more

Livingston Securities LLC today announced that its 5th annual Livingston Nanotechnology Conference will return to New York City, being held at the Lighthouse Center on Monday, December 7th. more

DALLAS, Nov. 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeaconEquity.com announces an investment report featuring Origin Agritech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SEED). more

TSX Venture Exchange: TME, Frankfurt Exchange: TQ1 more

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Milo.com (www.milo.com), the free Web site that enables shoppers to research online and buy local, today announced that the company has raised $4 million in Series A financing. more

BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, a broad international index measures countries' attractiveness to investors in Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE) limited partnerships. more

Southern California Investment Association, Inc. has an exciting "Winter Conference" welcoming Brokers, Institutions, Funds and Accredited Investors looking for new opportunities Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. registration including buffet breakfast, and sit down lunch at the Hilton Hotel/Orange County Airport (949-833-3331), 18800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, CA 92612, conveniently located across from the John Wayne Airport (SNA). more

TCW Energy Partners, LLC (TEP), a company focused on investments in global energy and infrastructure, announced its operating results and quarterly earnings for the period from July 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009 and for the period from January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009. more

Invest Northern Ireland's business information website registered a 75% increase in traffic over the last year, while online advice on starting-up a new venture recorded a 43% increase. more

HARTFORD, Conn. - WSP Holdings Inc., a Chinese manufacturer of oil and natural gas exploration and drilling products, posted a third-quarter loss - its first - on lower demand and prices due to the global recession. more

Acquisition Expected To Be Completed Today more

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Tenneco Inc. said Tuesday it has raised in a public offering $187 million, which the car parts maker will use to repay debt and for general corporate purposes. more

Riverstone Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RVS)(FRANKFURT: 3RV) is pleased to announce additional results from the Rotary Air Blast (RAB) drill program recently completed on the Company's Karma gold project in Burkina Faso, West Africa. more

Abraaj Capital Group announces that it agreed to acquire all of Riyada Ventures the leading venture capital firm in the MENA region. more

Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (the "Fund") announced today that pricing has been completed for its initial public offering. more

TSX: ATD.A, ATD.B more

Third Quarter 2009 Results more

Radient Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NYSE Amex: RPC), a US-based pharmaceutical company that specializes in In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) cancer tests and cell-renewing skin care products, announced today unaudited results and the filing of its Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for fiscal third quarter FY2009. more

On an operating basis, the company generated a loss from continuing more

NEW YORK - Stocks retreated from 13-month highs after a lackluster reading on consumer confidence and a report showing slower economic growth sapped the market's optimism. more

NEW YORK, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- TCM MOBILE LLC (www.tcmmobile.com) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to license its patented telecommunication technology to an Indian Joint Venture which plans to launch the world's first commercial Cellular VoIP operating network in India. more

NEW YORK - Tanker operator DHT Maritime Inc. on Tuesday said depressed charter rates, weak demand and a one-time financial hedging loss drove down its third-quarter profit by 91 percent. more

Fourth Quarter 2009 Report to Shareholders more

Nov. 24--The number of people hitting financial rock bottom across the nation continues to grow at an alarming rate while bankruptcy filings in the greater Pittsburgh area suggest that the region has been less affected by falling home prices, rising unemployment and unmanageable debt -- but not totally immune to their influence. more

Nov. 24--A fresh stream of watches, wedding rings and old coins flowed toward Sacramento gold dealers Monday as prices for the world's most precious metal reached another record high. more

PicksThatMove is pleased to bring investors special situation stocks which have a high potential for price appreciation. more

Nov. 24--HYANNIS -- A drop in property values of more than $1 billion will likely mean a tax increase for many Barnstable homeowners. more

Nov. 24--United Bankshares Inc. declared a fourth-quarter 2009 dividend of 30 cents a share -- the 36th consecutive year of dividend increases. more

contract revenues of $259.1 million for the quarter ended October 24, 009, compared to $334.0 million for the quarter ended October 25, 2008, a decrease of 22.4%. more

BATESVILLE, Ind., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) more

Amen Properties (Pink Sheets: AMEN) today announced financial results for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009. more

USA Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: USAT) (the "Company") today more

Windstream Corporation (NYSE: WIN) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. (NYSE: IWA), based in Newton, Iowa, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion. more