Security News in Brief: Justice Department Announces Expansion of Firearms Technical Assistance Project to Strengthen Community Response to Domestic Violence Incidents Involving Firearms

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced the expansion of its Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP) to help communities across the country reduce domestic violence homicides and injuries committed with firearms. OVW will award an estimated $6 million for up to 12 sites and $4 million for training and technical assistance on firearms and domestic violence.

Security News in Brief: Hancock County woman indicted on fraud charges

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Jacque Phillips, of Weirton, West Virginia, appeared in federal court this week after being indicted on wire fraud, theft, and money laundering charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced. Phillips, also known as “Jacque Phillips-Brown,” 32, was indicted on three counts of “Wire Fraud,” one count of “Theft from a Health Care Benefit Program,” and three counts of “Money Laundering.”

Security News in Brief: Justice Department Supports the Federal Reserve Board’s Proposed Rule on Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing to Promote Competition

Source: United States Department of Justice 2

Today, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a comment in support of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ (Board) notice of proposed rulemaking on Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing. The Board’s proposed rule would require banks that issue debit cards (“issuers”) to give merchants a choice of debit networks for transactions made online and in circumstances where consumers pay without physically presenting their debit cards. By introducing choice, the proposed rule has the potential to reduce merchants’ transactional costs and ultimately save consumers money.

Security News in Brief: U.S. Attorney’s Office plans Medicolegal Symposium to discuss the case against Reta Mays, convicted VA hospital murderer

Source: United States Department of Justice News

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia, is teaming up with Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and West Virginia University to hold a symposium discussing the cutting-edge methods used to convict a serial killer who preyed on veterans at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg.

Security News in Brief: Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Massachusetts Sober Home Operator

Source: United States Department of Justice News

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit today alleging that Peter McCarthy, who operates a group of residential sober homes through his company, Steps to Solutions Inc., subjected female residents to sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act.