INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

 

 

FROM:  NASA
Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka (top), Expedition 32 commander; and Yuri Malenchenko, flight engineer, participate in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA) to continue outfitting the International Space Station. During the five-hour, 51-minute spacewalk on August 20, 2012, Padalka and Malenchenko moved the Strela-2 cargo boom from the Pirs docking compartment to the Zarya module to prepare Pirs for its eventual replacement with a new Russian multipurpose laboratory module. The two spacewalking cosmonauts also installed micrometeoroid debris shields on the exterior of the Zvezda service module and deployed a small science satellite.

Image Credit: NASA

ISAAC AND THE HURRICANE HUNTERS

Photo Credit:  NASA
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

'Hurricane Hunters' Track Isaac as Southcom, Northcom Prepare
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2012 - With Tropical Storm Isaac bearing down on the Dominican Republic and Haiti and threatening to strengthen over the eastern Caribbean, the "Hurricane Hunters" from the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are in the air, relaying critical data to National Weather Service forecasters in Miami.

Meanwhile, staffs at both the U.S. Southern and Northern Commands are monitoring the storm closely and ensuring they are ready to provide support to civilian authorities, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Three six-person crews from the 53rd WRS and their maintainers and support staff deployed to St. Croix from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., last weekend, Air Force Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, the squadron's chief meteorologist, told American Forces Press Service. Operating out of the international airport there, they began flying their specially equipped C-130J Hercules aircraft through the storm Aug. 21.

On a typical mission that can run up to 12 hours, the aircrews crisscross the storm in what the teams call an "alpha pattern," he explained. Sophisticated onboard instruments and small canisters dropped by parachute to the ocean's surface collect accurate measurements of the storm's location and intensity.

That information is fed continuously to the National Hurricane Center via an onboard satellite link. In addition, the aircraft sends automated messages every 10 minutes, relaying barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and other measurements.

"The reason this data is critical is because, with satellites, you can track where storms are and get a general picture, but you can't peer into the storm and physically measure what is happening at the ocean's surface," Talbot said. "That is the important piece of information you need to know when it comes to providing warnings to the public. The emergency management community needs to know what is going on near the surface of the ocean, because those are the winds that are going to come ashore."

With about six missions already under their belts during the past three days, Talbot said, the pace will pick up considerably as Isaac moves west toward the United States. "Currently, we are doing about three missions a day, but that will go up to four or five when the storm comes within 300 miles of the U.S. coastline," he said.

The Hurricane Hunters expect to move west along with the storm, redeploying to Keesler Air Force Base to resume those missions beginning this weekend. In the event that the crews have to evacuate Keesler, Talbot said, they already have alternate operating sites lined up. "We track these things pretty closely, because if we end up having to jump from here, we still have to continue flying and providing that data while we are evacuating our own resources," he said. "It becomes a big, tangled web, but it always works out pretty well."

As a precaution, aircraft and ships are being moved out of the storm's possible path and other assets are being secured, according to Southcom spokesman Army Lt. Col. Darryl Wright. Planning teams are busy running rehearsal meetings and preparing to verify personnel and resource requests, if USAID issues them, he said.

Wright emphasized that military support, if provided, would be part of a coordinated U.S. response led by civilian authorities. "We conduct close coordination and planning and provide DOD support to relief efforts upon request," he said. "Through this close coordination, we ensure that we respond with the most efficient means available to the U.S. government."

In terms of disaster response, Wright said efficiency is typically more important than speed in reducing suffering and saving lives.

Northcom, too, is in a monitoring mode. But with the storm expected to intensify late this weekend when it hits the Atlantic and the Florida Straits, the command deployed a defense coordinating officer and element to Puerto Rico on Aug. 20 to support FEMA, John Cornelio, Northcom's media operations chief, told American Forces Press Service.

The element of about 20 people is assessing the situation and standing ready to provide assistance, if requested. "We have learned the value of being forward enough to cut down on the response time, if required," Cornelio said.

With Isaac's path still anyone's guess, officials say it's too soon to know whether it will hit Tampa, site of next week's Republican National Convention. Northcom has a team deployed there to support the Secret Service during the convention, Cornelio reported.

U.S. GSA'S "GREAT IDEAS HUNT" SAVES $5.53 MILLION

FROM: U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRAION
GSA Implements Cost Saving Ideas, Saves Over $5 Million
　
Input gathered from agency employees saves millions

August 22, 2012

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced plans to implement five cost savings ideas that will save the agency an estimated $5.53 million. As part of its ongoing top- to-bottom review, GSA launched The Great Ideas Hunt asking its employees to share their best ideas on how to improve the performance and efficiency of the agency.

"When we began our Top-to-Bottom review of the entire agency, we wanted to look for ways to engage employees in a meaningful way about how to improve the agency and make it more efficient," said Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini. "The Great Ideas Hunt originated from there, and I am impressed with the quality of responses received from GSA employees across the country."

To date, GSA received a total of 632 ideas submitted via the web from employees across the country. GSA staff then voted for their favorite submissions, registering close to twenty thousand votes online. The agency is now taking action on five of the most popular ideas, which are currently being implemented.

These include:

-Reduce Subscriptions: A GSA employee highlighted the fact that GSA can save money by
reducing the number of newspaper and magazine subscriptions and choosing online versions
when possible. By doing this the GSA can save up to $630,000 agency-wide.

-Eliminate Redundant Survey: Three suggestions were submitted urging the agency to retire
a costly and redundant employee survey. It turns out that the survey costs $1 million annually
and virtually all of its questions are addressed in the Office of Personnel Management Employee
Viewpoint Survey, which is free. GSA has now stopped its use of the survey.

-Create Web-based Surveys: Four GSA employees submitted an idea to replace the paper-
based Public Buildings Service (PBS) Tenant Satisfaction Survey with a web-based solution
instead. PBS is making this change immediately, which will save about $1.2 million annually.

-Expand PrintWise policy: Two entries noted that setting the default printing settings to ‘double-
sided’ will save money on paper and reduce GSA’s impact on the environment. As a result, GSA
will roll out this policy agency-wide, and could realize a savings of $2.7 million.

-Implement External Great Ideas: GSA received so many helpful ideas through this campaign
internally, that three employees suggested the agency create an external website to allow federal
partners and vendors to share ideas and feedback on how GSA can better manage our offerings.

The Great Ideas Hunt began May 31 and ended July 6. In addition to these five ideas, the agency is reviewing and researching 40 other ideas submitted through the program, and expects to implement them on a rolling basis.

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Wild Cards of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 drops a line during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. HSC-23 is embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group currently underway conducting a certification exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth Merriam (Released) 120817-N-BB534-626
　

Tugs guide the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) to its berth at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor after the completion of Louisiana's latest strategic deterrent patrol. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ed Early (Released) 120820-N-GU530-136



　

Carla Lucchino, assistant for administration to the Secretary of the Navy, takes part in an exhibit at the Imagination Station children's science center in Toledo, Ohio, during Toledo Navy Week, one of 15 signature events planned across America in 2012. The weeklong event commemorates the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, hosting service members from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark ODonald (Released) 120821-N-BX435-041

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ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN AUGUST 23, 2012

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Forces Arrest Taliban Weapons Supplier
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 23, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons supplier today in the Chaparhar district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, military officials reported.

The weapons supplier acquired and distributed mortars and other weapons to Taliban fighters in the district, officials said. In the weeks prior to his arrest, he delivered multiple weapons to Taliban fighters in the area.

During the operation, an armed insurgent threatened the security force. The security force engaged and killed him.

The security force also detained another suspected insurgent.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents yesterday in Balkh province's Chimtal district during an operation to arrest a senior Taliban leader who is responsible for indirect fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's Panjwai district found and destroyed 1,201 pounds of marijuana and detained a suspected insurgent.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT DAILY BRIEFING

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFYzDlKeLL_IMEm7XBQrYQa1f17Zg

DOD News Briefing with Gen. Allen from the Pentagon

DOD News Briefing with Gen. Allen from the Pentagon

U.S. GOVERNMENT JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST GALLUP FOR VIOLATION OF FALSE CLAIMS ACT

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

US Government Joins False Claims Act Lawsuit Against the Gallup Organization

Suit Alleges Polling Firm Overcharged Government on Contracts

The United States has joined a whistleblower lawsuit against The Gallup Organization, the Justice Department announced today. The lawsuit was filed by Michael Lindley, a former Gallup employee, who alleges that Gallup violated the False Claims Act by making false claims for payment under contracts with the U.S. Mint, the State Department and other federal agencies to provide polling services for various government programs.

According to the whistleblower’s complaint, Gallup violated the False Claims Act by giving the government inflated estimates of the number of hours that it would take to perform its services, even though it had separate and lower internal estimates of the number of hours that would be required. The complaint further alleges that the government paid Gallup based on the inflated estimates, rather than Gallup’s lower internal estimates. The government intervened in the lawsuit with respect to Gallup’s contracts with the Mint and the State Department.

"Contractors must understand that it is unlawful to use inflated estimates to obtain higher contract prices," said Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s Civil Division. "The decision to join this civil lawsuit underscores the commitment of the Department of Justice to recover federal funds that are unlawfully claimed."

The lawsuit was filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, wh ich permit private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for submission of false claims to the government. The private plaintiffs are entitled to receive a share of any funds recovered through the lawsuit. The False Claims Act authorizes the United States to intervene in such a lawsuit and take over primary responsibility for litigating it. The False Claims Act allows for recovery of three times the government’s losses, plus civil penalties.

"Contractors who do business with the federal government must honor their obligations to provide honest services and products," said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. "Working with relators and federal investigators, we will do all that we can to act against those who illegitimately bill the American taxpayers."

In its notice announcing intervention, the United States also indicated that it plans to assert additional claims related to Gallup’s subcontract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These claims relate to allegations in the whistleblower lawsuit that Gallup negotiated for employment with a FEMA official who was responsible for Gallup’s subcontract while, at the same time, Gallup was seeking to obtain additional funding from FEMA for Gallup’s subcontract.

The lawsuit, which was filed in the District of Columbia, is captioned U.S. ex rel. Lindley v. The Gallup Organization, 09-cv-01985. The claims made in the complaint are only allegati ons and do not constitute a determination of liability.

COMPANY RECALLS ALL 2012 CANTALOUPES BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION

Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. Recalls Cantaloupes Because Of Possible Health Risk

FROM: U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 22, 2012 - Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc., of Owensville, Indiana, is voluntarily recalling all of its cantaloupes from the 2012 growing season that may remain in the marketplace. This recall is occurring because of concern some cantaloupes may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

This voluntary recall follows a prior voluntary market withdrawal of all Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. cantaloupes that occurred August 16 and 17, 2012.

During the period June 21, 2012 to August 16, 2012, Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc., marketed cantaloupes to four retail grocery stores with grocery store retail outlets in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, and Dubois County, Indiana, and Wabash County, Illinois; and also to four wholesale purchasers located in Owensboro, Kentucky, St. Louis, Missouri, Peru, Illinois, and Durant, Iowa, respectively. As a part of the voluntary market withdrawal, Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. notified all of the purchasers of its cantaloupes to take immediate action to remove all Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. cantaloupes from the marketplace, and all of the purchasers confirmed compliance with that request.

The CDC reports that for the period July 7, 2012, through August 22, 2012, there have been reports of some 178 persons nationwide who may have become sick in connection with consumption of cantaloupes. The FDA investigation is ongoing and incomplete at this time. After discussion with the FDA, Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc., decided to conduct the recall as a precautionary measure.

Consumers should inquire about the source of cantaloupes before purchasing additional cantaloupes or using cantaloupes already purchased. To be absolutely certain, consumers should destroy any cantaloupes currently in their possession the origin of which cannot be identified.

Opening Remarks Regarding the Adoption of Final Rules for Conflict Minerals

Opening Remarks Regarding the Adoption of Final Rules for Conflict Minerals

SEC COMMISSIONER SPEAKS ON CONFLICT MINERAL SOURCING

FROM: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

　
Requiring Disclosure to Increase Transparency Regarding the Sourcing of Conflict Minerals
by Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

SEC Open Meeting
Washington, D.C.
August 22, 2012

The Dodd-Frank Act requires that the Commission adopt rules to implement Section 1502 of the Act. Pursuant to this statutory mandate, these rules require companies covered by the rule to disclose whether certain minerals contained in their products – specifically, tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, often referred to as "conflict minerals" – originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC") or an adjoining country.

　

The DRC is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of 74 million people and vast natural resources. The facts demonstrate that armed groups use force, violence and intimidation to exploit that country’s mineral wealth for revenue and power, particularly in the Eastern portion of the country. These armed groups are responsible for serious and widespread abuses of human rights, including murder, disappearances, torture, mutilation, rape and forced labor, as well as the recruitment and abduction of child soldiers. The United States government has determined that this humanitarian crisis profoundly affects our national interest.

　

To address these concerns, Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act added Section 13(p) of the Exchange Act, which requires us to adopt the regulations we consider today.

　

Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, a strong proponent of Section 1502, described the provision as follows:
Any US [reporting] company that uses minerals mined in Congo must publicly acknowledge the use of those minerals … and document what measures they are taking, if any, to ensure that they are not purchasing minerals from armed groups or military units and that their trade is not fueling the conflict….
Following the enactment of Dodd-Frank, the Commission began a rulemaking process characterized by extensive public outreach, thoughtful deliberation, and rigorous economic analysis. The Commission received a number of comment letters from corporations, industry and professional associations, human rights and public policy groups, institutional investors, investment firms, United States and foreign government officials, and other interested parties and stakeholders. In addition, the Commission also held a public roundtable, at which stakeholders discussed their views and provided input on issues related to our required rulemaking.

　

Moreover, SEC Commissioners and staff have held over 140 separate meetings with external stakeholders. This robust, public, and interactive debate has allowed the Commission to more fully consider how to develop our final rules. In that connection the Commission engaged in an extensive cost/benefit analysis with respect to this rulemaking. The Commission has sought to address concerns about compliance costs while implementing Congress’ objectives. The Commission also considered the effects of the rule on efficiency, competition and capital formation.

　

Today’s rulemaking is the culmination of a careful and comprehensive process and a clear Congressional directive. The Commission has faithfully administered its judgment and expertise, as the independent agency tasked by Congress to implement Section 13(p). The rule under consideration today is in the interest of investors and the public interest.

　

Today’s rule will bring clarity to the various stakeholders that have already developed initiatives to conduct due diligence and trace supply chains.

　

I support the rule, and would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their work in connection with this rulemaking. In particular, I would like to recognize the Division of Corporation Finance; the Division of Risk, Strategy and Financial Innovation; and the Office of General Counsel. I appreciate your hard work and effort in support of this rulemaking.

　

Thank you.

PIRATED ANDROID CELL PHONE APPS

FROM: U.S. DEPARMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps
First Time Website Domains Involving Cell Phone App Marketplaces Are Seized
　
WASHINGTON – Seizure orders have been executed against three website domain names engaged in the illegal distribution of copies of copyrighted Android cell phone apps, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates of the Northern District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin of the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office announced today. The department said that this is the first time website domains involving cell phone app marketplaces have been seized.


The seizures are the result of a comprehensive enforcement action taken to prevent the infringement of copyrighted mobile device apps. The operation was coordinated with international law enforcement, including Dutch and French law enforcement officials.
　
The three seized domain names – applanet.net, appbucket.net and snappzmarket.com – are in the custody of the federal government. Visitors to the sites will now find a seizure banner that notifies them that the domain name has been seized by federal authorities and educates them that willful copyright infringement is a federal crime.
　
"Cracking down on piracy of copyrighted works – including popular apps – is a top priority of the Criminal Division," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. "Software apps have become an increasingly essential part of our nation’s economy and creative culture, and the Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the creators of these apps and other forms of intellectual property from those who seek to steal it."
　
"Criminal copyright laws apply to apps for cell phones and tablets, just as they do to other software, music and writings. These laws protect and encourage the hard work and ingenuity of software developers entering this growing and important part of our economy. We will continue to seize and shut down websites that market pirated apps, and to pursue those responsible for criminal charges if appropriate," said U.S. Attorney Yates.


"The theft of intellectual property, particularly within the cyber arena, is a growing problem and one that cannot be ignored by the U.S government’s law enforcement community. These thefts cost companies millions of dollars and can even inhibit the development and implementation of new ideas and applications. The FBI, in working with its various corporate and government partners, is not only committed to combating such thefts but is well poised to coordinate with the many jurisdictions that are impacted by such activities," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Lamkin.


During the operation, FBI agents downloaded thousands of copies of popular copyrighted mobile device apps from the alternative online markets suspected of distributing copies of apps without permission from the software developers who would otherwise sell copies of the apps on legitimate online markets for a fee. In most cases, the servers storing the apps sold by these alternative online markets were being hosted in other countries, and our international law enforcement partners assisted in obtaining or seizing evidence stored on these servers. Nine search warrants were also executed in six different districts across the country today as part of the operation.
　
The operation reflects a coordinated effort by the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and the Office of International Affairs; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia; the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office; and six other U.S. Attorney’s Offices, including the Southern District of Mississippi, the Middle District of Florida, the Western District of Michigan, the Southern District of Indiana, the District of Rhode Island and the Northern District of Texas.

9/11 HEARINGS POSTPONED BECAUSE OF STORM

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Sailors pile sandbags against the walls of Naval Security Forces headquarters at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Aug. 22, 2012, in preparation for wind and rain from tropical storm Isaac. DOD photo by Cheryl Pellerin

Judge Postpones 9/11 Hearings as Guantanamo Preps for Storm

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Aug. 23, 2012 - Lawyers, observers and media are leaving the island today after the base commanding officer recommended their evacuation ahead of tropical storm Isaac's projected path to Cuba.

Military commissions judge Army Col. James L. Pohl postponed hearings of five accused 9/11 detainees that were scheduled to begin today after an unrelated one-day delay due to technical issues.

No new date was set for the hearings.

Pohl said he based the decision on impending weather conditions, concern for the safety and welfare of personnel, and a recommendation by the station's commanding officer, Navy Capt. John R. Nettleton.

The hearings -- in the case of the United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi -- were originally scheduled to begin yesterday. But in the early morning hours of Aug. 21, a coal-train derailment in suburban Baltimore killed two young women and damaged fiber-optic lines that carry Internet traffic to and from Guantanamo Bay.

The damage caused loss of Internet connectivity for the base and for the Office of Military Commissions, and it hindered the ability of the defense team, according to an emergency motion filed by the team.

"Our hearts go out to the families of the two young women who were killed by the train wreck that resulted in our communications in Guantanamo being cut off," Army Brig. Gen. Mark S. Martins, chief prosecutor in the Office of Military Commissions, said in a news conference yesterday.

Instances of delay and disruption are nothing new to civilian and military courts, "but we're going to certainly move forward methodically [and] the court is going to take up these issues," Martins said.

Pohl said a forthcoming docketing order would set a date for the next sessions in the case.

Around the 45-square-mile naval base, people were busy with preparations for tropical storm Isaac. Some weather models are forecasting that the storm's winds and rain could make landfall on the island the afternoon of Aug. 25, affecting Cuba's southeast corner, where the base was established in 1903.

"I recommended that all the lawyers and everybody [who is part of the Office of Military Commissions] leave and come back [at a later date] and restart. But it's not my decision, it's my recommendation," Nettleton told reporters before the postponement. His recommendation for evacuation, he noted, included nonessential personnel and visitors.

The commanding officer, who's been at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station for about six weeks, said the last major hurricane that affected the base was Inez in 1963. That storm dumped 36 inches of rain onto the island, he added.

"Right now, [Isaac] is a big swath of projected winds," the captain said. "It's down from 110 to 115 [knots] to about 60 to 70 knots in the last projection we have. But it could speed up, and the wind speed could go up or it could go down."

As the storm pushes rain and heavy winds toward Cuba, he said, preparations on the island include cleaning up debris that the winds could turn into missiles, closing the hangars, securing buildings, moving people who are at risk into sturdier buildings, and hauling boats out of the water.

At the wharf yesterday, a 600-ton crane began hauling boats out of the water and rolling on giant tires over heavy concrete tracks to a dry dock several hundred feet away.

Over a 24-hour period, a port operations officer said, they'll move up to 17 boats and ferries -- from 22-foot center-console oil-spill response boats to 120-foot amphibious landing craft -- out of the water to avoid waves and storm surge.

Dark clouds moved over half the sky as the crane worked and as sailors snugged sandbags up against the walls of Naval Security Forces headquarters, located in a low-lying area near the harbor.

Nettleton said several hundred nonessential personnel and visitors will leave the island, leaving roughly 5,600 residents, including service members, workers and families, and their pets.

"Everybody on the base is pretty good at [storm preparation], because this is one of the things that we drill to constantly. ... This is actually one of the best harbors in the Caribbean, so the thing I worry about is a little bit of complacency," he said. "[But] procedurally, we're solid."

As the storm gets close, he said, an orderly shutdown of services will begin.

"We'll turn the water plant off, we'll turn the electricity off, [and] we'll go on backup generators because it's easier on the system than letting the power fail," Nettleton said. They'll also shut down activity on the beaches and on the bay.

Just before hurricane season, he said, base personnel take coconuts off the trees so the hard shells don't become deadly missiles in a storm.

Isaac may postpone the island's fresh food flight, which comes in on Saturdays, Nettleton added, and heavy rain on an island made of clay and coral could cause rockslides and close roads.

"But we'll be fine," the captain said. "We have massive amounts of support. The U.S. government will make sure everybody's good."

Once everything is shut down, the residents will shelter in place, he said. "Once the storm's passed, the first thing we'll do is sweep the area and make sure everything's clear, then slowly open services back up," he added.

It's been so long since Cuba experienced a major hurricane, some observers think it's unlikely that Isaac will be a problem here

The suggestion to evacuate nonessential personnel and visitors was "a conservative call," he said, "[but] it's one I'm always going to make, because it's about lives."

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC

NASA Sees Tropical Storm Isaac and Tropical Depression 10 Racing in Atlantic
FROM:  NASA

There are now two active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and NASA is generating satellite imagery to monitor their march westward. Tropical Storm Isaac is already bringing rainfall to the Lesser Antilles today, Aug. 22, Tropical Depression 10 formed in the eastern Atlantic, and another low fizzled in the western Gulf of Mexico.


Tropical Storm Isaac formed late on Aug. 21 from Tropical Depression 9 and immediately caused warnings and watches. Tropical Depression 10 formed during the morning hours on Aug. 22 in the central Atlantic, east of Isaac and appears to be following the tropical storm on NOAA's GOES-13 satellite imagery. NOAA's GOES-13 satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Isaac over the Lesser Antilles, and newborn Tropical Depression 10 trailing behind on Aug. 22 at 1445 UTC (10:45 a.m. EDT). The image was created by the NASA GOES Project at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Both storms are showing good circulation.

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument onboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Isaac on Aug. 22 at 2:05 a.m. EDT, as it was bringing heavy rainfall to the Lesser Antilles. Strong thunderstorms appeared in a band of thunderstorms in Isaac's western quadrant that had cloud top temperatures as cold as -63F (-52C).

Watches and Warnings in Effect

The National Hurricane Center has posted Warnings and Watches for Tropical Storm Issac. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe and the surrounding islands, and St. Martin, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, and Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There are also hurricane and tropical storm watches in effect. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands; the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona westward to the Haiti-Domenican Republic southern border. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from the Haiti-Dominican Republic northern border eastward to north of Isla Saona.


At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Aug. 22, Tropical Storm Isaac had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (75 kmh), and the NHC said that strengthening is forecast. Isaac could become a hurricane by Thursday or Thursday night, Aug. 23. The center of Isaac was about 140 miles (230 km) east of Guadaloupe, near latitude 15.9 north and longitude 59.3 west. Isaac is moving westward near 21 mph (33 kmh) is expected to stay on this track over the next couple of days.

The NHC said, "On the forecast track the center of Isaac should move through the Leeward Islands this evening and pass near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday (Aug. 23) and approach the Dominican Republic Thursday night and Friday (Aug. 24).

THE GEN. DEMPSEY TRAVELS IN IRAQ

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Dempsey Returns for Talks in Changed Baghdad

U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, travels aboard a CH-47 helicopter from Bagram to Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20, 2012, to meet with leaders from the International Security Assistance Force, U.S. Central Command, U.S. State Department and the Afghan military. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
　
　

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Aug. 21, 2012 - Arriving in this city had both familiar and unfamiliar aspects for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today.
　
On one hand Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey arrived in a city he knows well, having commanded the 1st Armored Division here in 2003 and 2004, and as the commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq from 2005 to 2007.
　
But Baghdad also is a changed city. Many of the scars of war are gone now, and today, tens of thousands of Iraqis peacefully celebrated Eid al Fitr – the end of Ramadan – in areas where T-wall barriers once stood.
　
In a symbol of the changed state of Iraq and its evolved relationship with the United States, Dempsey had to get his passport stamped by Iraqi customs officials upon his arrival. And, no longer a commander in a combat zone, the chairman ditched his once familiar camouflage for his class B dress uniform for meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and army Gen. Zebari Babakir, Iraq's chief of defense.
　
Dempsey said he felt a certain satisfaction arriving back in Baghdad. "Flying over, there certainly seemed to be a sense of what we call normalcy," he told reporters traveling with him. "Are there still challenges, problems? Of course there are. But the Iraqis appear to be on a good path."
　
The chairman met with Maliki for 90 minutes. The two men had worked together when Dempsey commanded the transition effort. "We spent the first 30 minutes reminiscing about our time together, the tough times and what's ahead," he said. "The way we find our way forward in difficult times is through our relationships."
　
Dempsey also spoke with Maliki and Babakir about the current effort to equip and train Iraqi security forces via the Office of Security Cooperation Iraq. More than 225 U.S. troops, seven Defense Department civilians, 530 security assistance team members and more than 4,000 contracted personnel are in the office at the Iraqi government's invitation.
　
Iraqi leaders told the chairman they are generally pleased with the efforts of the office. But, Dempsey said, all sides – including the U.S. Army chief of the office at the American embassy, Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen – are frustrated by delays in some aspects of the foreign military sales program.
　
The program to equip the Iraqi security forces runs to $12.7 billion this year. The lion's share comes from the Iraqi government and about $1.5 billion comes from the United States.
　
The leaders also discussed in general terms how Syria could evolve. The Iraqi prime minister is deeply concerned about Syria breaking up along ethnic or religious lines, Dempsey said. He is particularly worried about these divisions spilling over the border to Iraq where there are many of the same divisions.
　
"At the same time, there's also the opportunity for Iraq to maybe be the dam against that flood," Dempsey said.
　
Maliki's sense is that the Syrian example is so stark and dire for the region that it might be a reason to galvanize Iraq to pull together, the chairman said.
　
"Now it may have the exact opposite, too," he said. "But there's an opportunity there and my report is that he sees it. I sensed that he understands he can play a positive role in the region."
　
Maliki heads a democratically elected government, and as such, Iraq can become the major leader in the region as other states look to develop democracy in wake of the Arab Spring, Dempsey said. If Iraq can help other nations in the region, "I think Maliki could be historic," he said.
　
The relationship between Iraq and the United States is improving because U.S. officials did what they said they would do, the chairman said. When the United States and Iraq negotiated the agreement for U.S. troops to leave Iraq in December, many Iraqis believed it wouldn't happen, he said.
　
But the U.S. government proved good to its word, and that has made the relationship easier, Dempsey said. "We scaled our physical presence way down, while not scaling down our commitment to the nation," he said. "I don't know if they believed that a year or two ago."
　
The leaders also discussed aspects of the military-to-military relationship – bilateral exercises, education, equipment and the like -- as they would with leaders of any other country, Dempsey said.
　
"We are having conversations as two sovereign nations about interests," he said. "And that's what's important."

SECRETARY PANETTA'S REMARKS ABOARD THE USS JOHN C. STENNIS

Photo:  USS John C. Stennis.  Credit:  U.S. Navy
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

August 22, 2012
STAFF: Afternoon, sir. How are you?

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA: Thank you very much. Good to be here. Spent some time at Fort Lewis a long time ago when I was in ROTC at Santa Clara. So ever since then I've spent a lot of time up here in Seattle.
　

From a defense point of view this is really a -- a community that is one of the -- one of the -- the very best in terms of supporting the military mission. There are a lot of different missions that are supported here, and I have tremendous thanks and respect for the people of Washington and the way they support our military mission.

　
So I'm glad to be here and happy to answer your questions.
　

Q: (Inaudible) -- shifted Navy or other assets to the Mediterranean or Syria region at this time?

　
SEC. PANETTA: Not at this time. We've -- we have deployed a force to the Middle East, and obviously the Stennis will -- will join that force. And the focus of that is to be prepared to deal with any contingency that develops in the Middle East.
　

Q: How much of this has to do with the conflict between Israel and Iran? Is this a positioning effort?
　

SEC. PANETTA: It deals with a lot of threats in the Middle East right now. Obviously Iran is one of those threats that we have to -- we have to be able to focus on and make sure that we're prepared to deal with any threats that could emerge out of Iran.
　

Secondly, it is the turmoil in Syria, and we're obviously following that closely as well.

　
There also are tanker threats that come from Iran that threaten some of the tanker -- the oil traffic that goes through the straits, and that's another concern.

　
So there are a number of issues in that region. It is -- you know, we're gone through the Arab spring there. The results of that present both challenges and opportunities. And all of that is the reason we maintain the force that we have in the Middle East.
　

Q: (inaudible) -- two-carrier requirement that was going to end in September and now is definite or is there a new end date?
　

SEC. PANETTA: You know, we're looking at what we need in order to deal with the potential challenges that we face in the Middle East. I can't give you a time frame as to how long we'll have to maintain that -- that presence. But clearly maintaining two carriers in that region was important to us in order to have the ability to confront any contingency.

　
Q: Do you have any more details about the kind of assistance the military can provide to Jordan or Turkey in the case of Syrian refugees?

　
SEC. PANETTA: You know, dealing with Syria, obviously we've tried to focus on three areas of importance. One is to do what we can to assist on the humanitarian effort, and I think the president pointed out we've done about $81 million, $82 million. But we're also working with Jordan and with Turkey to try to deal with the refugee flows and try to help them as best we can.
　

Secondly is the -- the whole threat of chemical and biological weapons. There are sites in Syria. We're concerned about the security of those sites. So we're continuing to monitor those sites and work with both Turkey, as well as Jordan and Israel to ensure that -- that none of those weapons fall into the wrong hands.

　
STAFF: Couple more here, guys.

　
SEC. PANETTA: And let me just mention, the third one is the -- is obviously working with the opposition to try to give them what assistance we can. Basically we're providing nonlethal assistance at this time, but we're working with other countries to try to give them what support they can get in order to try to confront the Syrian army.
　

Q: Is there any possibility for a no-fly zone in the region at this point?

　
SEC. PANETTA: Well, you know, we've developed contingency plans for all kinds of possibilities there. But as I -- as I said, that's not on the front burner right now.

　
Q: Sir, is the U.S. any closer to declaring whether or not the Haqqani Network is a terrorist organization?
　

SEC. PANETTA: That's -- that's a decision that the State Department has to make with regards to making a recommendation on that. And I think it's probably best one that is addressed to them.
　

Q: Mr. Secretary, you testified that you're having -- you've called for investigations into the system-wide review of PTSD diagnoses. Is that close to being completed, or when might we see results from that?

　
SEC. PANETTA: Well, obviously, it -- you know, the concern sprang out of a situation here at McChord that told us that there was some misdiagnoses that had taken place.
　

Actually as a result of that I've asked all of the services to review all of their diagnosis to see just exactly whether the same thing has occurred elsewhere, and that's -- that's ongoing right now.
　

Also, there is an ongoing investigation here as to what took place at McChord, making sure that -- that we do everything possible to find out what happened and try to make sure we're taking steps to avoid that happening in the future.
　

I sent, obviously, high level individuals from the Pentagon who have visited here to try to look at the situation. We've made some changes. I'm awaiting further recommendations as to what we can do to do everything possible to make sure that that kind of misdiagnosis doesn't take place.

　
STAFF: Last one. Anyone?

　
Q: (Inaudible) -- for this region. (Inaudible) -- Pacific Rim.

　
SEC. PANETTA: I would assume that Bremerton's going to stay busy for a long time to come as a result of having to focus and project our force into the Pacific. That's -- that's going to -- we're going to need the kind of shipyards and maintenance and backup that Bremerton provides.

　
STAFF: Thank you all very much.

　
SEC. PANETTA: Okay.

WOMEN'S EQUALTY DAY

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Navy Commemorates Women's Equality Day

100826-N-6003P-046 ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 26, 2010) An all-female line-handling team guides the phone and distance line from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) to the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) during a replenishment at sea (RAS). Harry S. Truman's deck department used an all-female crew at one of the RAS stations to commemorate Women's Equality Month in the Navy. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike group is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kilho Par
　
By Ensign Amber Lynn Daniel, Diversity and Inclusion Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commands are encouraged to celebrate Women's Equality Day Aug. 26, as announced by NAVADMIN 251/12.


Established by Congress in 1971, Women's Equality Day was designed to commemorate the long struggle of generations of women to gain the right to vote.


The observance also calls attention to women's continuing efforts today towards full equality.


The women's suffrage movement began in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Convened by suffragist leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the committee published a "Declaration of Sentiments." The declaration outlined key social, civil and political demands for women, helping the cause of women's suffrage gain national prominence. Nearly 72 years later, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed Aug. 26, 1920, granting women throughout the United States the right to vote.


In 1971, to honor and commemorate the passing of the 19th Amendment, U.S. Rep. Bella Abzug introduced a resolution to designate Aug. 26 as the annual Women's Equality Day. Today, the observance recognizes the anniversary of women's suffrage and of the continued efforts toward equal rights in the United States.


All Navy commands are encouraged to reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments of women in the armed services during this observance.


Women first entered Naval service in 1908 with the establishment of the Navy Nurse Corps, 12 years before women were granted the right to vote. Women continued to serve in the Navy in varying capacities throughout World War I and World War II, but it was not until June 12, 1948, with the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act that women gained permanent status in the U.S. armed services. The first six enlisted women were sworn into regular U.S. Navy service July 7, 1948. Four months later the first eight female Naval officers were commissioned Oct. 15, 1948.


Women were first assigned to selected non-combatant ships in 1978, and opportunities were later broadened to include service on warships in 1994 following the repeal of the combat exclusion law. In April 2010, the Navy announced a policy change allowing female officers to serve on submarines. Today, 95 percent of Navy billets are open to the assignment of women.


This year has been a landmark year for women in the Navy. The year kicked off with five women making naval history as the first all-female E-2C Hawkeye crew to fly a combat mission. Plane Commander Lt. Cmdr. Tara Refo, Mission Commander Lt. Cmdr. Brandy Jackson, Second Pilot Lt. Ashley Ruic, Air Control Officer Lt. Nydia Driver, and Radar Operator Lt. j.g. Ashley Ellison were assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 when they made their historic flight Jan. 25.


Two days later, the Navy honored the passing of the fleet's first female aircraft handling officer, Lt. Cmdr. Regina Mills, during a ceremony Jan. 27 in Bremerton, Wash. More than 2,000 family members, friends, and shipmates assembled aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to pay respect to Mills, who was struck and killed by a vehicle when she stopped to assist others involved in a traffic collision in Gig Harbor, Wash., Jan. 23.


In April, the Navy bid fair winds and following seas to one of the original female surface warfare trailblazers, Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau. Rondeau holds the distinction of serving as the first warfare qualified female admiral and, prior to her retirement, was the highest ranking female flag officer in the Navy. She retired after 38 years of dedicated naval service.


Later that month, Rear Adm. Michelle Howard was nominated for appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral April 16. If confirmed, Howard would become the first female African American three star admiral. In July, Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi was assigned as Judge Advocate General of the Navy. De Renzi is the highest ranking female in the Judge Advocate General Corps, and is the first woman to hold the Judge Advocate General Corps' most senior position. Vice Adm. Robin Braun, the highest ranking female aviator in the Navy, became chief of the Navy Reserve Aug. 13, and is the first woman to hold the post.


There are currently 35 female flag officers in the Navy; 21 represent the active duty component, and 14 represent the Reserve component.


Enlisted women also made notable accomplishments during 2012. In May, Command Master Chief (AW/SW) JoAnn M. Ortloff became Fleet Master Chief for Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Africa. Upon her selection, Ortloff became the highest ranking enlisted woman in the Navy, and only the second woman to reach the position of fleet master chief.


Command Master Chief (AW/SW) April Beldo continued her tradition of breaking barriers for women when she assumed her new position as force master chief of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the first African American woman to do so. Beldo arrived at NETC in April after serving aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), where she held the title of the first female African American command master chief of a nuclear aircraft carrier. She is currently the only woman serving as a force master chief in the Navy.


Policy changes affecting women serving in the Navy also took shape in 2012. The Department of Defense announced changes to the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule Feb. 9. The changes were implemented in May, opening an additional 14,325 positions throughout the Department of Defense previously closed to women.


Today, 54,537 women serve in the Navy on active duty or in the Reserve, comprising 17 percent of the force. Additionally, nearly 50,000 women serve across the Navy in a wide range of specialties as civilian employees.

GENERAL HAM'S AFRICA REPORT

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Ham Reports Progress Against al-Shabab in AfricaBy Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, Aug. 22, 2012 - Calling the elimination of safe havens and support for terrorist groups in Africa his top priority, the commander of U.S. Africa Command reported that U.S. support for Somalia's military has had a direct impact in degrading the al-Shabab terror organization there.

"The performance of African militaries in Somalia ... has been extraordinary," Army Gen. Carter F. Ham told Soldiers Radio and Television Service reporter Gail McCabe during closing ceremonies for exercise Southern Accord here.

Ham noted the U.S. government role in training and equipping these forces and the impact it has had in increasing the African partners' counterterrorism capabilities.

"They really have degraded the capability of al-Shabab, an al-Qaida affiliate operating in Somalia, where most of Somali territory is no longer receptive to al-Shabab," he said. "They certainly still have some strong points, but are [al-Shabab is] greatly diminished over the last year, because of the role of Africans."

While holding up Somalia as a positive trend on the continent, Ham acknowledged progress elsewhere remains mixed. He noted Mali, where about two-thirds of the country "is essentially outside the control of the interim government ... and is largely controlled by transnational terrorist organizations."

Ham called the terrorist threat his most pressing challenge. "In fact, I would say it is my highest priority, as the geographic combatant commander, ... to protect America, Americans and American interests from threats that emerge from the continent of Africa," he said. "And at present, the most dangerous of those threats are transnational terrorists."

Countering this threat is the common denominator that drives Ham's theater engagement strategy and its broad array of operations, exercises and security cooperation programs. This includes teaching partner nations how to improve their border security, intelligence and tactical capabilities and equipping African nations so they can operate more effectively.

It's an effort Ham said involves the entire U.S. interagency – the departments of State, Commerce, Treasury and Justice, the U.S. Agency for International Development and other organizations – as they coordinate efforts to help address the underlying causes that create an environment where terrorists can operate.

The president's recently released policy directive for sub-Saharan Africa recognizes the importance of security in advancing economic development that lays the foundation for democracy, Ham noted.

"The two are interrelated," he said. "You can't really have good, strong economic development if there is not security and stability."

So Africom focuses on helping African partners promote security and stability. "We think it is important that we help African nations develop their own capabilities to provide their own security and also to begin the capability to contribute more expansively to regional security," Ham said.

U.S. engagements in Africa, such as Southern Accord, are tailored to help partners build capacity and to respect the rule of law, the general said. "What we are really trying to do is help you build security forces that are not only tactically capable, but forces that are genuinely responsive to legitimate civilian control – that operate according to the rule of law and see themselves as servants of that nation,'" he explained. "And we are seeing that over and over again, and we certainly see that here in Botswana."

Promoting that kind of engagement requires close relationships that are built over time. "It is all about relationships," Ham said. "It is the ability to talk to a chief of defense or minister of defense and in some cases, heads of state to convey to them what it is that we are trying to do, and make sure they understand that we ... don't want to do anything that they don't want us to do."

A true partnership benefits all the participants, Ham said, recognizing the gains both U.S. service members and Botswana Defense Force members received as they worked together during Southern Accord.

Ham said he's sometimes asked why what the United States needs a combatant command focused on Africa and why what happens in Africa matters to the United States. "I could easily say there are a billion reasons," he said, recognizing the African continent's population.

But also citing global economies and the global nature of security challenges, Ham emphasized that "what happens in Africa affects us in the United States."

"So I think there is a whole host of reasons why America and Americans should care about advancing our interests in Africa," he said. "And security is one component of an overall U.S. approach."

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY AND MEDICARE FRAUD

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Florida Assisted Living Facility Owner Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme
　
WASHINGTON – The owner of a Miami-area assisted living facility was sentenced today to serve 30 months in prison for his role in a kickback scheme that funneled patients to a fraudulent mental health provider, American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC), the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services announced today.
　
Bobby Ramnarine, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks in the Southern District of Florida. In addition to his prison term, Ramnarine was sentenced to serve two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $165,881 in restitution, jointly and severally with co-defendants. Ramnarine pleaded guilty on May 22, 2012, to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
　
Ramnarine was the owner of an assisted living facility called Elmina Inc., located in Lauderhill, Fla. According to court documents, Ramnarine agreed to send Elmina residents to ATC in exchange for illegal health care kickbacks. ATC purported to operate partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), a form of intensive treatment for severe mental illness, in seven different locations throughout South Florida and Orlando, Fla. According to court documents, Ramnarine admitted that he knew ATC falsely billed Medicare for PHP treatment based on his fraudulent referrals. Ramnarine also admitted he referred his residents to ATC because he would receive a cash kickback and because his residents had Medicare and were willing to go to ATC. According to the plea agreement, Ramnarine’s participation in the fraud resulted in more than $445,025 in fraudulent billing to the Medicare program.
　
ATC, its management company, Medlink Professional Management Group Inc., and various owners, managers, doctors, therapists, patient brokers and marketers of ATC, were charged with various health care fraud, kickback, money laundering and other offenses in two indictments unsealed on Feb. 15, 2011. ATC, Medlink and more than 20 of the individual defendants charged in these cases have pleaded guilty or have been convicted at trial.
　
The sentencing was announced today by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher B. Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office.
　
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Allan J. Medina, Steven Kim and William Parente of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.


Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,330 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.