Human Rights | WPN World People News

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today the designation of Muhammad Hamsho, a member of the Syrian Parliament and prominent businessman, pursuant to Executive Orders (E.O.) 13573 and 13572 for providing services in support of, and for acting for or on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and for acting for or on behalf of President Asad’s brother Mahir al-Asad. Hamsho International Group, a Syrian holding company that has approximately 20 subsidiary or affiliated companies, was also designated today pursuant to E.O.s 13573 and 13572 for being controlled by Muhammad Hamsho.

More than 78,000 Chadians have returned home over the past few months

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Safas Corp. for 20 workplace safety and health violations at its Clifton facility. OSHA initiated a Jan. 31 investigation based on a referral from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which alleged strong solvent odors. Proposed penalties total $135,000.

Louis Gendason of Delray Beach, Fla.; Kimberly Mackey of Pittsburgh; and John Incandela, of Palm Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their participation in a $2.5 million home equity conversion mortgage, or reverse mortgage, fraud scheme.

Law enforcement officials announced today the unsealing of three indictments and one complaint charging a total of 72 individuals for their participation in an international criminal network dedicated to the sexual abuse of children and the creation and dissemination of graphic images and videos of child sexual afbuse throughout the world. The charges are the result of an extensive investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Timothy Devon Huntley, Jr., 45, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan to serve a 65-month term in federal prison for committing aggravated identity theft and wire fraud as part of an insurance fraud scheme. He was sentenced to serve a 24-month term of prison for aggravated identity theft consecutive to a 41-month term of prison for wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $196,854.20 in restitution to the insurance companies he defrauded. He pled guilty to the offenses on March 15, 2011.

The former chief financial officer of the New Jersey-based Harold M. Pitman Company was sentenced today to 56 months in prison for embezzling more than $2 million from his former employer, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

A Miami-area resident pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Miami for his role in two separate fraud schemes that resulted in the submission of more than $200 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

A senior United Nations envoy today called on Israeli authorities to exercise maximum restraint after two Palestinians were killed during a military operation in a West Bank refugee camp.