The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday that Jacintoport International LLC and Seaboard Marine Ltd. have agreed to pay $1.075 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that the companies violated the False Claims Act in connection with a warehousing and logistics contract for the storage and redelivery of humanitarian food aid. The whistleblower in this case, the CEO of … [Read more...]
Carnival Corp. in Landmark Disabilities Settlement With U.S. Justice Dept.
The U.S. Justice Department and Carnival Corp. have announced a comprehensive, landmark settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to advance equal access for individuals with disabilities who travel on cruise ships. Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise companies in the world, with a portfolio of 10 cruise brands and 100 … [Read more...]
Louisiana Towboat Owner Faces Five Years in Prison for Illegal Campaign Contributions
The president of a Louisiana towing company is facing up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to using his personal and business accounts to fund campaign contribution checks in the names of others in support of two candidates for the U.S. Senate. Arlen “Benny” Cenac Jr., 57, a resident of Houma, La., and the president and owner of Cenac Towing, pleaded … [Read more...]
Crowley to Pay $17 Million For Role In Price Fixing Conspiracy
Crowley Liner Services (CLSI) on Monday was slapped with a $17 million fine after pleading guilty to felony price fixing charges relating to its freight transportation business between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. CLSI, which is the liner freight arm of Jacksonville, FL-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, is the third company to be found guilty in connection to the price fixing … [Read more...]
Miami Ship Surveyor Could See 15 Years for Lying to Coast Guard, Falsely Certifying Ship
A Miami-based ship surveyor faces up to 15 years in prison after a federal jury in Miami has convicted him of lying to the Coast Guard and for falsely certifying the safety of ships at sea. According to a U.S. DoJ release, Alejandro Gonzalez, 60, of Miami-Dade County, Fla., was convicted by a federal jury in Miami of three counts of making false statements to the U.S. Coast … [Read more...]
Greek Operator Sentenced to Pay $2 Million for Oil Pollution Cover-Up and Obstruction of Justice
Greek shipowner Ilios Shipping Company S.A. was sentenced today in federal court in New Orleans to pay a fine of $2 million for intentionally trying to cover-up oil pollution from one of its bulk carriers and obstruction of justice. According to the Department of Justice release, the M/V Agios Emilianos, a 738 foot bulk carrier operated by Ilios Shipping, routinely … [Read more...]
Italian Shipowner and Chief Engineer Charged in “Magic Pipe” Case
Italian-based shipping company Giuseppe Bottiglieri Shipping Company S.P.A., owner and operator of the M/V Bottiglieri Challenger, and Vito La Forgia, the vessel's chief engineer, have been charged in a four-count indictment alleging the illegal dumping of waste oil and oil-contaminated waste water in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), conspiracy and … [Read more...]