Phillip Swarts
Articles by Phillip Swarts
Justice Dept. reaches $38 million settlement with nursing homes over allegations of abuse
After reports of elderly patients who suffered from malnutrition, dehydration, unnecessary hospital stays and infections requiring amputations, the Justice Department announced Friday a $38 million settlement with a network of nursing homes. Published October 10, 2014
Illinois teen nabbed, wanted to join Islamic State
The FBI arrested a U.S. teenager Saturday night at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport as he was preparing to leave the country to go join extremists in the Islamic State, the law enforcement agency disclosed Monday. Published October 6, 2014
Justice Department wraps Ferguson visit, mum on status of probes
Senior Justice Department officials concluded a two-day visit to Ferguson, Missouri, but did not give updates Friday evening on the series of federal investigations into possible race problems at local law enforcement agencies. Published October 3, 2014
Target of FBI bribery probe successfully bribes FBI agent
A Boston businessman faced a federal investigation into whether he had bribed contracting officials to steer lucrative deals his way. So he responded the only way he knew how: bribing an FBI agent to call off the case. Unfortunately for the bureau, the agent took him up on it. Published October 2, 2014
FBI whistleblowers claim retaliatory targeting for termination: Chuck Grassley
Eleven whistleblowers in the FBI say the bureau is targeting them for termination in retaliation for their revelations about FBI wrongdoing, the top Republican on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary announced Wednesday. Published October 1, 2014
Five Army National Guard officers are charged with contract kickbacks and bribery
The Justice Department charged five Army National Guard officers with corruption Wednesday in a suspected scheme to steer contracts for personal profit. Published October 1, 2014
Suspect in UVa student disappearance linked to third crime
Authorities in Virginia said Tuesday that evidence in the recent disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham may help solve the 2005 sexual assault of a 26-year-old Fairfax City woman — the third case linked to the suspect, Jesse L. Matthew Jr. Published September 30, 2014
Washington Times case vs. Homeland Security gets Sen. Chuck Grassley’s attention
The top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee weighed in Tuesday on a settlement reached between The Washington Times and the Department of Homeland Security over the seizure of a reporter's notes. Published September 30, 2014
Homeland Security settles with Washington Times over reporter notes seizure
The Homeland Security Department has ordered a review of training for its Coast Guard criminal investigators as part of a broad legal settlement with The Washington Times over the improper seizure of a reporter's interview notes involving sources. Published September 29, 2014
Civil rights leaders, families push feds in probes of police-related deaths
Civil rights leaders and the families of people killed by police gathered Thursday in D.C. to call for the federal government to take a larger part in the criminal investigations of the officers involved in the events. Published September 25, 2014
U.S. Marshals Service celebrates 225 years
The U.S. Marshals Service celebrated a major milestone Wednesday with its 225th birthday. Published September 24, 2014
‘Jersey Shore’s‘ ‘Situation’ faces tax fraud charge
Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino, best known for his role on the MTV reality series "Jersey Shore," and his brother, Marc, are expected in court Wednesday to face charges they didn't pay taxes on $8.9 million in income. Published September 24, 2014
Mass shooting incidents have doubled since 2000: FBI
The number of mass shooting incidents like Columbine or Sandy Hook Elementary School has more than doubled since 2000, the FBI announced Wednesday. Published September 24, 2014
FBI, Homeland Security urge high alert for post-airstrike retaliation in U.S.
Federal authorities are urging local law enforcement to be on alert anyone who might try to carry out attacks on U.S. soil in retaliation for American bombings against terrorists in Syria. Published September 24, 2014
Sergeant pleads guilty to selling U.S. Army fuel in Afghanistan
An Army sergeant pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges he helped steal more than 1 million gallons of fuel from the U.S. military and sold it on the black market in Afghanistan, a move that potentially could have allowed terrorists to get a hold of the commodity. Published September 23, 2014
Holder: Federal prison population declines for first time in 34 years
Attorney General Eric Holder announced Tuesday that the federal prison population had declined by roughly 4,800 inmates since Sept. 2013, the first year the number has fallen since 1980. Published September 23, 2014
Justice Dept. says 68 percent of victims continue to suffer long after violent crime is committed
After a violent crime, it may take a long time for victims to recover, said a new Justice Department report released Tuesday. Published September 23, 2014
Justice Department offers app for job seekers
Want to get a job with the Justice Department? There's an app for that. Published September 22, 2014
White House: Some Islamic State fighters have returned to U.S.
White House officials said Monday that some Americans who have fought alongside the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria and Iraq have returned to the United States. Published September 22, 2014
Jet fighters to fly over D.C. in NORAD training exercise
Don't be surprised if you see fighter jets flying over Washington, D.C., Tuesday night. Published September 22, 2014