The senior auction official at Beverly Hills Gallery admitted to conspiring to smuggle wildlife products made from rhinoceros horn, elephant ivory and coral.
The products had a value of about $1 million, according to officials.
Joseph Chait faces up to five years in prison for conspiring to smuggle wildlife products and up to five years in prison for violating the Lacey Act.
Defendants Who Allegedly Tried to Benefit from Programs that Help Minority Businesses Indicted
A federal grand jury indicted David Pfeiffer, 64, of Killbuck, NY, and Thomas Colton, 53, of Salamanca, NY, for illegally getting construction projects earmarked to help minority businesses.
The two were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud. Pfeiffer was also charged with making a false statement to a financial institution.
Both men are each facing up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Why Facebook Makes People Sad and Why People Keep Using It
More than one billion people log into Facebook every day. Whether their intention is to post a duck face selfie, or they want to read the headlines from their favorite news outlet, Facebook remains the world’s most popular social networking site.
U.S. Attorney General Remarks About Dietary Supplements During National Consumer Protection Week
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Discusses Dietary Supplements. National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions.
Tyshawn Lee’s Accused Killer Planned to Torture Young Boy Before Execution: Officials
Tyshawn Lee’s killer told police he had planned to kidnap and torture the 9-year-old boy before he executed the child in a Chicago alley last fall as part of a gang retaliation, law enforcement officials revealed Tuesday.
New York Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Trying to Buy the Poison Ricin to Use as a Lethal Weapon
A federal judge sentenced Cheng Le, 22, of Manhattan, New York to 16 years in prison for trying to buy the poison ricin to use as a lethal weapon, according to federal officials.
Legal Pot Causes Mexican Drug Cartel Profits to Take a Dive
Marijuana legalization may have accomplished what the War on Drugs has failed to do — put the squeeze on Mexican drug cartel activity.
The U.S. Border Patrol has released 2015 data showing that the number of marijuana seizures throughout the southwest U.S./Mexico border has fallen to the lowest level in a decade, the Washington Post reports.
Man Who Created Phony Business and Filed $1.2 Million in Tax Refunds Sentenced to Federal Prison
A federal judge sentenced a North Hollywood man to four years in prison for his role in a tax fraud conspiracy scheme that fraudulently claimed more than $1.2 million in fraudulent tax refunds.
U.S. District Judge George H. King also ordered Antonio Jerome Cook, 37, to pay $537,309 in restitution to the IRS.
Sexual Predator Found Guilty of Traveling to Cambodia to Have Sex With Young Girls, Facing 130 Years in Prison
A Bay Area man was found guilty Monday of traveling to Cambodia to have illicit sexual conduct with young girls, according to officials
Ronald Gerard Boyajian, 55, who resided in Menlo Park and previously spent time on the Palos Verdes peninsula, was found guilty of three child exploitation crimes.
After a six-week trial in federal court, the jury found Boyajian guilty of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in foreign places, and committing these offenses while being required to register as a sex offender.
Detective Who asked Informant to Sell Drugs for Him is Facing Up to 20 Years in Prison
Former detective is facing up to 20 years in prison after he admitted to asking an informant to sell drugs for him, according to officials.
Matthew L. Dailey, age 45, of Howard, Ohio, plead guilty in federal court to extortion under color of official right.
Union Treasurer Charged with Allegedly Taking Kickbacks from Public Works Workers’ Wages
The business manager and secretary-treasurer of Local 201 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union AFL-CIO was charged with taking kickbacks from public works employees at the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, officials announced today.
High Court Declines Apple’s Petition, Lower Court Ruling Stands, Apple Must Pay $400 Million in eBook Conspiracy Case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a petition by Apple, let stand a lower court’s decision, resulting in the software giant having to pay $400 million because it substantially raised ebook prices, the Justice Department announced today.
Apple orchestrated a price-fixing conspiracy with five major ebook publishers, officials said.