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United States Department Of Justice News

15 Feb 2024

Iran Will Reciprocate If Its Ships Are Seized, Official Says

© AUUSanAKUL+ / Adobe Stock

Iran will reciprocate if its ships are seized, the legal adviser to Iran's President told state media on Thursday, in response to a statement by the United States Department of Justice.This month, the Department of Justice issued a statement announcing the seizure of more than 500,000 barrels of Iranian fuel to clamp down on the "Revolutionary Guards' financing network"."If an Iranian ship is seized, we will reciprocate and the legal way is not closed in this regard," legal adviser Mohammad Dehghan said, adding that he was not able to confirm whether U.S.

03 Apr 2023

Shipbuilder Austal Sinks on Former U.S. Executives' Indictment for Financial Fraud

Credit: Naval Surface Warriors ©CC BY-SA 2.0

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd sank as much as 8.4% to its lowest level in more than four years on Monday after the United States Department of Justice indicted three of its former U.S. employees on manipulating financial information. Austal, which builds ships for the U.S. Navy and is working on parts of the Virginia class submarines, plunged to its lowest level since October 25, 2018, and marked its worst intraday drop since January 17. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)…

21 Aug 2020

US Continues to Crack Down on Maritime Pollution Crimes Despite COVID-19

© Kirk / Adobe Stock

United States Department of Justice’s steadfast protection of U.S. waters equates to criminal charges and massive finesThe United States has a long history of holding companies and individuals accountable for violating environmental laws and regulations, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). With the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), which implements MARPOL, United States government agencies continue to prioritize the protection of oceans and waterways from pollution.

18 Feb 2020

Anatomy of a Marine Casualty Investigation

MV Argo Merchant was a Liberian-flagged oil tanker that ran aground and sank southeast of Nantucket Island, Mass., on Dec. 15, 1976, causing one of the largest marine oil spills in history. U.S. Coast Guard Archives

Blank Rome’s maritime attorneys have represented clients in some of the largest maritime casualties in the last 20 years, including the Staten Island Ferry allision with a maintenance pier in New York, the blow out and eventual loss of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the sinking of the El Faro during Hurricane Joaquin, and the collision between the Navy Destroyer USS John S. McCain and the tanker ALNIC MC in the Singapore Strait. These casualties have resulted in the catastrophic loss of life…

26 Feb 2019

Maersk: Firm Cleared in U.S. Shipping Investigation

File Image (CREDIT: Maersk)

A.P. Moller Maersk said on Tuesday a U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) investigation into the practices of container shipping companies had closed and the group was released from any obligations.In 2017, the DoJ ordered top executives from several container shipping lines including Maersk to testify in an antitrust investigation over practices by an industry that is the backbone of world trade."We are pleased to confirm that the United States Department of Justice has closed its…

16 Aug 2017

DoJ Closes Vantage Probe Over Petrobras Deal

Vantage Drilling International, announced  that it has received a letter from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) acknowledging Vantage's full cooperation in the DOJ's investigation concerning possible violations by Vantage of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and indicating that the DOJ has closed its investigation without any action. The investigation arose in 2015 from allegations of improper payments to former officials of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A (Petrobras) in connection with the contracting of the Titanium Explorer drillship to Petrobras. From the outset of the investigation, the Company has provided its full cooperation to the DOJ and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

18 Mar 2016

U.S. DOJ: Shipping Companies Fined $1.5M for Illegal Discharges

The German shipping companies Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG and Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG MS “Extum,” who owned and operated the cargo ship M/V BBC Magellan, pleaded guilty today to failure to maintain an accurate oil record book, in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and tampering with witnesses by persuading them to provide false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard concerning a bypass hose on the vessel that was being used to discharge oil into the sea. The two companies were sentenced to pay a total of $1.25 million in fines and a $250,000 community service payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund projects that enhance coastal habitats of the Gulf of Mexico and bolster priority fish and wildlife populations.

12 Nov 2014

SBM Offshore Reaches Out-of-court Settlement

SBM Offshore today reached an out-of-court settlement ex Article 74 of the Dutch Criminal Code with the Dutch Public Prosecutor's Office (Openbaar Ministerie) over the inquiry into alleged improper payments. Furthermore, the United States Department of Justice has informed SBM Offshore that it is not prosecuting the Company and has closed its inquiry into the matter. The settlement with the Openbaar Ministerie and the United States Department of Justice's decision relate to payments to sales agents in Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Brazil in the period from 2007 through 2011. Bruno Chabas, CEO of SBM Offshore commented, "SBM welcomes the conclusion of all discussions with the Dutch and U.S. authorities.

05 Mar 2012

Alabama: BP Settlements Independent of Alabama Claims

Statement from Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange on BP/Private Plaintiffs Settlement.   “The settlement announced last night between BP and private plaintiffs does not impact Alabama’s claims against BP and the other defendants for the damage done to our economy and environment. We are fully prepared to try our case, and we hope that the court sets a new trial date in the near future.  Alabama will continue to work closely with the United States Department of Justice and the other Gulf States to hold BP and the other defendants fully accountable for the disaster in the Gulf."

02 Nov 2011

Tidewater Reports 2Q Results For FY-2012

Tidewater Inc. announced today a second quarter net loss for the period ended September 30, 2011, of $4.9 million, or $0.09 per share, on revenues of $250.9 million. For the same quarter last year, net earnings were $19.4 million, or $0.38 per share, on revenues of $267.1 million. The immediately preceding quarter ended June 30, 2011, had net earnings of $24.6 million, or $0.48 per common share, on revenues of $254.6 million. Included in the current fiscal quarter’s net loss is a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $30.9 million ($22.1 million after tax, or $0.43 per share), resulting from the Company’s decision to change its reportable segments during the September 2011 quarter.

03 Nov 2010

Tidewater Reports Q2 Results, Fiscal 2011

Tidewater Inc. (NYSE:TDW) announced second quarter net earnings for the period ended September 30, 2010, of $19.4 million, or $0.38 per share, on revenues of $267.1 million. For the same quarter last year, net earnings were $98.2 million, or $1.90 per share, inclusive of a $34.3 million, or $0.66 per common share, tax benefit resulting from a favorable resolution of tax litigation, on revenues of $295.5 million. The immediately preceding quarter ended June 30, 2010, had net earnings of $39.8 million, or $0.77 per common share, on revenues of $262.5 million. Included in net earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, was a $4.35 million ($4.35 million after-tax…

19 Nov 2009

Mansuy, 2010’s Best Lawyers in America

Photo courtesy Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC

Christopher H. Mansuy, Esq., member of Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC (CMK) has been named one of 2010’s The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of maritime law by his peers. Best Lawyers a 25-year-old, highly respected peer-review publication, compiles lists of top attorneys by completing extensive surveys with other leading attorneys. Mansuy received this honor in 2008 and 2009 as well. A resident of Chatham, N.J. Mansuy possesses 35 years of experience in handling maritime and commercial litigation matters in the state and federal courts of N.Y. and N.J.

18 Jun 2009

Mansuy Joins Carroll McNulty & Kull

Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC (CMK) has announced that Christopher H. Mansuy has joined the law firm as a member. Mansuy brings 35 years of experience to CMK handling maritime and commercial litigation matters in the State and Federal Courts of New York and New Jersey as well as maritime disputes in arbitration including the Society of Maritime Arbitrators and the American Arbitration Association. With offices in New York and Basking Ridge, N.J., CMK provides comprehensive services to clients in the areas of admiralty, maritime, transportation, and international trade.

28 Nov 2007

Linsin Joins Blank Rome

Blank Rome LLP announced that Gregory F. Linsin has joined the Firm as a Partner in the White Collar, Internal & Government Investigations practice group. Mr. Linsin brings more than 25 years of experience as a federal prosecutor and has an extensive background in the supervision and prosecution of complex maritime and environmental criminal cases with the Environmental Crimes Section of the United States Department of Justice. Mr. Linsin will be based in Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Blank Rome, Linsin served as Special Litigation Counsel for the United States Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section. In this capacity, Mr.

15 Mar 2002

Master and Chief Engineers Arrested

A Ship Captain and Chief Engineers of two foreign flag vessels have been arrested and charged with keeping false log books to conceal the dumping of waste oil and sludge from two ships, obstructing a Coast Guard investigation, and obstruction of justice for allegedly telling crew members to lie to a federal grand jury. The arrests, supported by criminal complaints, were announced by Timothy M. Burgess, United States Attorney for Alaska and Thomas L. Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The defendants are Doo Hyon Kim, the Captain of the M/V Khana, In Ho Kim, the Chief Engineer of the Khana, and Min Gwen Go, the Chief Engineer of the M/V Sohoh. A preliminary hearing was held today in U.S.

29 May 2002

Chief Engineer Pleads Guilty in Alaska

Je Yong Lee, Chief Engineer of the M/V Sohoh pled guilty in United States District Court to three federal felony crimes. Defendant Lee admitted to keeping and presenting a false log book that concealed the dumping of waste oil and sludge from his ship, obstructing a United States Coast Guard investigation and witness tampering for telling crew members to lie to a federal grand jury in Anchorage. The plea was announced by Timothy M. Burgess, United States Attorney for Alaska and Thomas L. Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. "Crimes against our environment, including those that take place in the waters off our coasts, will not be tolerated," said Sansonetti.

17 Jun 2002

Chiles Offshore and ENSCO Complete Hart-Scott-Rodino Anitrust Review

ENSCO International Incorporated and Chiles Offshore Inc. announced that the Federal Trade Commission and United States Department of Justice granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 for ENSCO's acquisition of Chiles. The termination of this waiting period satisfies a regulatory condition required for the previously announced acquisition. Chiles also announced that its Board of Directors has set July 5, 2002 as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on the transaction with ENSCO, which is subject to stockholder approval at a special meeting of Chiles stockholders to be held on August 7, 2002.

09 Feb 2005

Japanese Company Pleads Guilty to Illegal Dumping

Karin J. Immergut, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, Debra W. Yang, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, Donald P. Sims, Special Agent in Charge of the Portland Area Office, Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-CID), United States Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jeffrey Garrett, Commander 13th Coast Guard District, and United States Coast Guard Captain Paul Jewell, Captain of the Port, Portland, announced today that Fujitrans Corporation, a Japanese transportation company, pled guilty to four felony charges for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, Title 33, United States Code, Section 1908(a) and Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 151.25(a), (d) and (h).

10 Oct 2007

Rowan Enters Guilty Plea

Rowan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RDC) announced that, pursuant to a plea agreement with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), it entered guilty pleas to three felony counts in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in connection with environmental violations related to maintenance and operations of the offshore drilling rig Rowan-Midland during the period from 2002 through 2004. The Rowan-Midland was sold by the company in January 2007. Specifically, the Company pleaded guilty to (i) causing the discharge of a pollutant, abrasive sandblast media, into U.S. navigable waters, thereby violating the Clean Water Act, (ii) failing to immediately report the discharge of waste hydraulic oil into U.S.

26 Apr 2007

Tidewater Launches Internal Investigation

Tidewater Inc. is conducting an internal investigation of its Nigerian operations, focusing on the legality, under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and local laws, of its Nigerian affiliate's reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by a customs agent in connection with the temporary importation of its vessels into Nigeria, particularly the obtaining of certain permits that are necessary for the Company's vessels to operate in Nigerian offshore waters. The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has engaged the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson of Washington, D.C., a leading international law firm with significant experience in investigating and advising upon FCPA matters, to lead the investigation.

19 Dec 2006

OSG Reaches Settlement With Department of Justice

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. announced that it has reached a comprehensive settlement with the United States Department of Justice regarding violations stemming from an investigation that began in 2003. Under the agreement, the Company will plead guilty to a total of 33 counts including one charge concerning an improper discharge of oil in 2002 and multiple record-keeping violations, including making false statements, obstruction and conspiracy related to such violations. The settlement concludes a multi-jurisdictional investigation that involved 12 vessels. The Company also agreed to pay a fine in the amount of $27.8 million and pay $9.2 million to designated environmental community service programs.

10 Dec 2002

Northrop Grumman Reaches Agreement on TRW Acquisition

promptly close its acquisition of TRW, Inc. after shareholders of both companies approve the transaction at separate meetings December 11, 2002. satellite payloads. businesses and those of TRW as planned. The European Union antitrust authority approved the transaction Oct. 2002. executive officer. principle. agreement. exchange for Northrop Grumman common stock. day prior to the closing of the merger. than 0.4348 or more than 0.5357 of a Northrop Grumman share. closing date of Dec. 11, the five-day trading period commenced Dec.

28 May 2003

Settlement Announced in GRUMANT Investigation

United States Attorney Michael Mosman announced today the settlement of a criminal investigation into illegal ocean pollution by the cargo ship M/V GRUMANT. Under the settlement, the operators of the GRUMANT will plead guilty to a single felony count for violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships, a federal law that implements an international treaty forbidding oil pollution of the oceans by commercial ships. Grid Odessa, Ltd., of Odessa, Ukraine, will pay a fine of $275,000 and be placed on probation. Large commercial ships use a heavy fuel oil that must be treated on board ship to remove impurities and water before it can be burned in the ship’s engine. This process creates substantial amounts of oily waste.