Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—An owner of a Houston health care company was convicted yesterday by a jury in the Southern District of Texas in connection with a $750,000 Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).

Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—The Texas Attorney General’s office issued the following statement about the resolution of the state’s investigation into Arizona-based JAWA and its owners, and the court order requiring the defendants to pay $2 million for defrauding wireless customers in Texas.

Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—The Texas Attorney General’s office and and other state attorneys general today resolved a two-phase Medicaid fraud and deceptive marketing investigation into Abbott Laboratories. 

 The Environmental Protection Agency issued the first-ever national air pollution regulations for fracking on Wednesday. First proposed in July 2011, the final rules have been welcomed by environmental groups as a much-needed initial move in reducing pollution and protecting public health from the toxic chemicals involved in the oil and natural gas drilling process. But many cautioned it was just a first step.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – Floyd Leslie Brooks, 45, Gwendolyn Kay Frank, 43, both of Houston, have been charged with conspiracy to violation the Anti-Kickback Statue, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Tony Nnonso Obi, 56, a naturalized U.S. citizen from the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been charged in a 20-count indictment for his role in a massive health care fraud conspiracy that billed the Medicare and Medicaid programs for more than $45 million, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

The government recently unveiled a new set of rules outlining better care for immigrants and asylum seekers detained while waiting for their deportation hearings.

Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—A Travis County jury returned a $195 million verdict against Houston-based TaxMasters, Inc., its predecessor companies and its founder and chief executive, Patrick Cox, for violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Texas Business reports: COLLEGE STATION— Natural gas drilling in Texas’ shale regions may be lucrative for mineral rights owners, but it can be a headache for landowners with surface rights who are unprepared to negotiate with pipeline companies.

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the Circle Court Ground Water site, in Willow Park, Texas, has been proposed to be added to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites, a list of sites that pose risks to people’s health and the environment.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – Bassey Essien, the former co-owner of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) companies Logic World Medical and Roben Medical in Houston, was sentenced to 99 months in federal prison for defrauding the Texas Medicaid program, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Texas Business reports:  Among corporations involved in the 2006 stock-option backdating scandal, those implicated earlier were more likely to dismiss their top executives than those that surfaced later on, according to new research from Rice University and the University of California at Irvine.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—The University of Houston Law Center will offer its alumni free, unlimited access to the nation's largest web-based continuing education and professional development service.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Piping Technology and Products Inc. for 13 willful and 17 serious violations for exposing workers to the risk of amputations and other serious injuries from dangerous machinery, as well as other hazards, at the company's Houston facility.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC will pay $1.3 million to Texas and two other states for its role in a scheme to lower borrowing costs for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. of Florida.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Benjamin Essien, the former owner of durable medical equipment (DME) companies Logic World Medical and Roben Medical in Houston, has been sentenced to 145 months in federal prison for defrauding the Texas Medicaid program, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Texas Business reports: AUSTIN –The Texas Attorney General’s Office secured an asset freeze and temporary restraining order against the Texas Highway Patrol Association (THPA) and two of its affiliate organizations.

Texas Business reports:  LUBBOCK — Licensed Professional Counselor Margie E. Hollingsworth, of Lubbock, Texas, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Lubbock on 12 counts of health care fraud and six counts of false statements related to health care matters, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña, of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—The Texas Attorney General’s office today charged a third-party Houston debt collection firm with violating the Texas Finance Code. 

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Kelvin Washington, 48, of Houston, has been convicted on all counts of health care fraud, conspiracy and violations of the anti-kickback statute charged against him, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. 

Texas Business reports:  McALLEN—A co-owner and manager of a McAllen-area durable medical equipment (DME) business have both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud for their roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid through fraudulent billings for power wheelchairs, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Texas Business reports: DALLAS—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Agrifos, a former phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer producer, agreed to pay a $1.8 million dollar penalty and conduct an environmental project to resolve alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Air Act.

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH—Judge Sean H. Lane of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York granted approval of a series of first day motions filed by the AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation to help facilitate American's and American Eagle's continued normal business operations throughout the reorganization process.

Texas Business reports:  TYLER—United States Attorney John M. Bales announced that Candido Patino was sentenced for structuring and assisting in structuring transactions with a domestic financial institution in the Eastern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Julian Kimble, 46, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and tax evasion, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

Texas Business reports:  SAN BENITO –The Texas Attorney General’s Office charged the operator of an unauthorized waste tire storage site with numerous violations of the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN – The Texas Attorney General’s Office today resolved its investigation into U.S. Money Reserve Inc., an Austin-based commemorative coin marketer that does business as U.S. Rare Coin and Bullion Reserve.

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON - A former Houston physician has been sentenced to 70 months in prison following his convictions for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

Texas Business reports: DALLAS — Three defendants who have been charged in a federal indictment, unsealed today, with various offenses related to their involvement in the operation of Euless Healthcare Corporation, were arrested by special agents with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

AUSTIN—At the Jester King Craft Brewery, in the hills just west of Austin, managing partner Ron Extract can explain the differences between Cascade and Amarillo hops. He can explain what gives “Das Wunderkind” beer its “delicate tartness” and “Commercial Suicide” its “oaky notes.” He cannot sell you a glass of either. Nor can he tell you where Jester King’s beers are sold. According to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission code, both activities are illegal.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – A Lexington, Kentucky-based direct sales firm has agreed to repay up to $1.3 million to its Texas customers. The agreement resolves the Texas Attorney General’s Office investigation into potential Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations by Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. – including allegations that the firm operated an illegal pyramid scheme.

Texas Business reports:  LAMESA, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Robinson Drilling of Texas Ltd. for eight serious, four repeat and 11 other-than-serious safety and health violations following the death of two workers at the company's work site near Lamesa at Truitt Woods Field, Well No. 1, Rig No. 3.

Texas Business reports:  CHANNELVIEW—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Sneed Shipbuilding Inc. for 14 serious, seven repeat and four other-than-serious violations for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards at the company's facility in Channelview.

Texas Business reports: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved penalties totaling $934,026 against 66 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Texas Business reports:   McALLEN, TEXAS - A co-owner and manager of a McAllen-area durable medical equipment (DME) business have been indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, multiple counts of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft for their alleged roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid through fraudulent billings for power wheelchairs, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – The Texas Attorney General’s Office today resolved the State’s enforcement actions against BP Products North America Inc.

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—Dallas-based Kennedy, Clark & Williams PC, a boutique law firm focused on intellectual property and corporate litigation, has added Keith McDole as Partner.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – Six Houston residents involved in a long-term scheme to defraud the Medicare and Medicaid health care benefit programs have been sentenced to federal prison, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—An owner and operator of a Houston durable medical equipment (DME) company was sentenced today in Houston federal court to 41 months in prison for his role in a Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has merged with the Houston law firm of Spain Chambers, marking Baker Donelson's entry into Texas with a major step in the firm's continuing strategic growth. 

Texas Business reports:  BRENHAM--On May 5, 2011, an Emergency Cease and Desist Order was issued to Emmitt Lewis, Jr., dba Lewis Funeral Home and Chapel for the sale of a trust-funded preneed funeral contract without the required state permit and the mishandling of funds as required by Texas Finance Code Chapter 154, the Texas Department of Banking announced this week.

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON—Justina Okehie aka Dr. Tina Collins, 55, of Richmond, Texas, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—Under agreements negotiated by the Texas Attorney General’s Office, several weight-loss clinics and a distributor of a weight loss product in Texas must significantly alter the way they market their services and/or products.

Texas Business reports: CORPUS CHRISTI—Richard Lopez, 43, Benjamin Martinez, 74, and Toby Clarkson, 39, all pleaded guilty to federal money laundering charges related to an embezzlement scheme at Sherwin Alumina Company, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

Texas Business reports:  SAGINAW—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Minneapolis-based Horizon Milling LLC for 17 serious violations for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards at the company's facility in Saginaw. Proposed penalties total $57,000.

Texas Business reports:  NEW BRAUNFELS – A pretrial settlement agreement negotiated last week by the Texas Attorney General’s Office will require a New Braunfels-based all-terrain vehicle sales retailer to surrender its sales license.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Investors in the Warr Investment Group LLC of Austin, which the State Securities Board forced into receivership earlier this year, will receive nearly one-third of their money back, with the potential for additional payments.

Texas Business reports:  Fines of $591,798 against Valero Refining-Texas LP of Nueces and Galveston counties, and $141,925 against ConocoPhillips Company of Hutchinson County included.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – Three people have been sentenced by United States District Court Judge Ewing Werlein for conspiring to force labor and conspiring to distribute pirated CDs and DVDs, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

Texas Business reports:  AMARILLO – The Texas Attorney General’s Office resolved the state’s enforcement action against a Potter County consultant who unlawfully provided immigration-related services – despite the fact that she was not licensed to do so. The defendant is charged with violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) and Notary Public Act.

Texas Business reports: CONROE— The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF Special Agents from the Houston Field Division have been activated by a request from the City of Conroe Fire Marshal's Office to investigate a fire at the Garden Ridge Pottery Home Decor Store located at 16788 I45, Conroe, Texas.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON - Edmund Hugh Benton, 63, of Scottsdale, Ariz., pleaded guilty yesterday to the federal felony offense of conspiracy to launder money before U.S. District Judge Sim Lake, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Clarke announced today.

Texas Business reports:  McALLEN,TEXAS - A federal jury in McAllen has convicted the owner of a durable medical equipment business in connection with a health care fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON - A former owner of a durable medical equipment company (DME) was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison for engaging in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of more than $5 million and wire fraud, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

 Texas Business reports: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined the Texas Petroleum Investment Company of Houston, Texas, $134,895 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

Texas Business reports:  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) settled a complaint against Camterra Resources, Inc., of Marshall, Texas, for violations of the Clean Water Act.

Texas Business reports: Earlier this week, 46-year-old Carl James Woodruff, former onsite construction manager for the Midland-based architecture and engineering firm of Grimes and Associates (Grimes), pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with a mail fraud scheme involving more than $200,000 in kickbacks from subcontractors United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced.

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANGELO, Texas — At a hearing today in a U.S. District Court in San Angelo,   U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings sentenced convicted Brownwood, Texas, dentist, James Crow, 67, to 70 months in federal prison on multiple offenses related to a healthcare fraud scheme he ran, according to U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

 Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH – The owner of two Arlington used car dealerships who was previously charged with falsifying vehicle emissions test results has entered into an agreed judgment requiring him to comply with Texas law.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON - Carla Jean Johnson, 40, of Houston, has been sentenced  to 120 months in federal prison for her conviction of conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving almost $1 million in loss to the victim company, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a Corinth, Texas man with securities fraud for soliciting more than $3.45 million from several thousand deaf investors in an investment scheme that the SEC halted last year.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—The owner of a Medicare referral business and the owner of a medical supply company have been charged for their participation in separate schemes to defraud the Medicare program of more than $62 million, announced the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

Texas Business reports:  BROWNSVILLE—John Jeff Woodard Jr., 49, of Harlingen, Texas, has been sentenced to a 51-month term of imprisonment for bank fraud conducted through the operation of a check kite scheme involving multiple bank accounts held in the names of several of his former businesses, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  VICTORIA—A Victoria waste transportation company pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized discharge and paid a $150,000 fine, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced.

Texas Business reports:  LAREDO—The Texas Attorney General’s Office charged a Laredo furniture store and its owners with violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANTONIO—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Roma Construction with six safety violations after an inspection of the company's work site on Wild Basin in San Antonio found employees exposed to scaffolding hazards while applying stucco to the exterior of a home. 

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $904,545 against 91 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations. Included in the total was a fine of $212,500 against J-W Operating Company, Wise County, for air violations noted in a December 2010 records review.  

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—The former owner of Global Laboratories LLC, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., has been convicted of unlawfully introducing stem cells into interstate commerce, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced along with Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Holland of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Kansas City Field Office and Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office.

Texas Business reports: DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Austin-based Buffalo Framing and Truss LP for 13 serious and one repeat safety violation resulting from inspections at two of the company's work sites in Dripping Springs. Proposed penalties total $58,100.

Texas Business reports: LUBBOCK—A federal grand jury in Lubbock returned an indictment this week charging San Angelo, Texas resident Debra Rucker Brown with six counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is revoking Certificates of Approval for 22 programs being taught at career schools in Texas owned by ATI Enterprises  Inc. (ATI), following the discovery of substantial misreporting of graduate employment rates in those programs.

 Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined the Texas Petroleum Company of Houston, Texas, $163,487 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

Texas Business reports:  BEAUMONT, Texas—A 62-year-old Leawood, Kansas lawyer was sentenced to federal prison for investment fraud in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Texas Business reports: FREEPORT, Texas—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Freeport-based Enterprise Products Transportation Co. for 29 serious and three other-than-serious violations following a fatality which occurred at the facility's tank wash operation in Freeport.

Texas Business reports:  FRISCO—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Exide Technologies for one serious and one repeat violation at the company's battery recycling facility on South Fifth Street in Frisco.

Texas Business reports:  GARDEN CITY, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Midland-based Trinidad Drilling LP for three serious and two repeat violations following the fatal electrocution of a worker at the company's job site near Garden City on County Road 125.

Texas Business reports: A federal grand jury charged 46-year-old Carl James Woodruff, former onsite construction manager for the Midland-based architecture and engineering firm of Grimes and Associates (Grimes), in a mail fraud scheme involving more than $200,000 in kickbacks from subcontractors. United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON – An employee of a Houston area nursing home has been arrested as a result of the return of a sealed indictment by a Houston grand jury charging him with conspiracy, health care fraud and violations of the anti-kickback statute arising from a scheme to unlawfully bill federal health care programs for ambulance transport, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno, along with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—The Inspections & Compliance Division of the State Securities Board has requested that Houston investment adviser Brian Anthony Bjork and his firm, Select Asset Management LLC (SAM), have their state registrations revoked.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Securities Commissioner Benette L. Zivley sued Waco-based Life Partners Holdings Inc. and its chief executive, Brian Pardo, for refusing to comply with subpoenas from the State Securities Board, the agency announced.

Texas Business reports:  McAllen—A total of 20 South Texas residents indicted for their roles in a scheme to defraud the American Family Life Assurance Company (Aflac) of millions of dollars by filing thousands of false injury claims under Aflac’s accident-only insurance plan have been convicted this week, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—Three family members/principals of Aspen Exploration, Inc., the managing partner of oil and gas well programs offered and sold to investors throughout the U.S. and elsewhere, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis for their respective roles in operating a fraudulent investment scheme, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  McALLEN, Texas—Felicitas Velez Alanis, 50, and her daughter-in-law Erika Ortega Alanis, 26, both of Brownsville, Texas, have been arrested on charges of health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced along with the Texas Attorney General’s office.  

Texas Business reports:  Federal, state and local authorities arrested 18 individuals Tuesday, including seven former Texas Medicaid Medical Transportation Program (TMMTP) San Antonio call center employees, in connection with a health care fraud investigation focusing on more than 1,000 fraudulent transportation claims totaling approximately $200,000, announced United States Attorney John E. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge Cory B. Nelson, Federal Bureau of Investigation –San Antonio Division, Special Agent in Charge George M. Fields, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General–Dallas Field Division and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. 

Texas Business reports:  Salsalito Cantina Inc. and owner, 50-year-old Hossein Bagheri face a maximum $1 million fine and up to five years in federal prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to harboring an undocumented alien in connection with a worksite enforcement investigation, announced United States Attorney John E. Murphy. 

 Texas Business reports:  United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced 27-year-old Babauk Omeed Harizavi of San Antonio  faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a vehicle title washing scheme involving over 600 Texas vehicle titles.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON - Harvard H. Hill, of Houston, has been charged with three counts of wire fraud in connection with an investment in the general partnership of a Houston-based venture capital fund he promoted, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Vincent Wallace Aldridge, a former fee attorney for First Southwestern Title Company, has been sentenced to 63 months imprisonment for wire fraud and money laundering arising from a scheme to defraud residential mortgage lenders of more than $3.7 million in loans in connection with home purchases in the Houston area, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced, along with acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Russell D. Robinson and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Clark.                                                                                                     

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—A federal grand jury in Dallas has returned a four-count indictment this week charging three individuals, Vathany Teng, Lina Ma and Jerry Goh each with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two substantive counts of bank fraud in relation to a loan fraud scheme they allegedly ran in the Dallas area from August 2007 to April 2008.

Texas Business reports:   The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved penalties totaling $1,115,124 against 105 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH—The Texas attorney general’s office today charged the owner of a certified vehicle emissions inspection station with manipulating the state’s testing protocols.

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined Denbury Onshore LLC of Alvin  $13,905 for violating the federal Clean Water Act. 

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—Tenaris Global Services Corp., a manufacturer and supplier of steel pipe products for the oil and energy industry, has agreed to pay $717,324 of civil penalties to the United States to settle violations of environmental regulations at seven facilities related to the public reporting of toxic chemicals at its facilities in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—Mesa Power Group LLC, a Texas-based renewable energy development company, has initiated the first step in a legal claim against the Canadian government for violations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) while the company was pursuing 565 megawatts of wind energy projects in western Ontario.

Texas Business reports:  EL PASO – The Texas state attorney general’s office charged a registered sex offender with operating an unauthorized legal services business in El Paso County.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON - Roger Lewis Pulley, 63, of League City, Texas, has been indicted and charged with fraud involving space vehicle parts and making a false statement in a matter within the jurisdiction of NASA, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANTONIO—Residents at three unlicensed assisted living facilities in Comal and Bexar counties were relocated today after a Bexar County district court determined that the facilities where they lived were not properly licensed by state health authorities.

Texas Business reports:  CHINA GROVE, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Lone Star Bakery Inc. for 18 serious and three repeat safety and health violations at Plant 2 of the company's facility on U.S. Highway 87 East in China Grove. 

Texas Business reports:  BEAUMONT—A 49-year-old Baytown, Texas man has pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Texas to disposing of hazardous wastes, including benzene solutions and inflammable solutions, without a permit, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Claymon “Butch” Trammell, along with his wife, Jeannettea Williams, and daughter, Michelle Trammell, have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

Texas Business reports:  The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which maintains a special reserve fund mandated by Congress to protect the customers of insolvent brokerage firms, said that it expects to announce on or about September 15, 2011 its decision about the referral provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with respect to the Stanford Group Company, operated by former Waco businessman  Robert Allen Stanford.

Texas Business reports:  EL PASO—United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that in El Paso, a federal jury convicted Anthony Francis Valdez, 57, on all charges in connection with an estimated $41 million fraudulent health care benefit program billing scheme.

Texas Business reports:  United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that 35-year-old Jason Heath Morrison, of Midland, Texas, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release for his role in a real estate fraud scheme, as well as for his failure to register as a sex offender.

Texas Business reports:  LONGVIEW—A 50-year-old Henderson, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison for a health care fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Neal Lim, former owner of one of the largest mail presort operations in the Houston area, has been sentenced to prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and possessing and using counterfeit postage meter machines to affix counterfeit postage in his mass mailing businesses, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno and United States Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Gary Barksdale announced.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Securities Commissioner Benette L. Zivley announced Wednesday that Raymond James Financial Services Inc. and Raymond James & Associates Inc. will pay a $293,595 fine to the State of Texas to settle claims the companies failed to disclose the risks of auction rate securities.

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANTONIO—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Delta Granite and Marble Inc. with 10 serious and one other-than-serious violation.

Texas Business reports:  WACO, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Hobbs Bonded Fiber Inc. with 29 serious violations following a Dec. 27, 2010, safety and health inspection. OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office initiated the inspection in response to a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions at the company's facility on Commerce Drive in Waco.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Schumacher Co. of Texas Inc. for 31 alleged serious and two other-than-serious violations for exposing employees to multiple safety and health hazards, including exposure to hazardous chemicals, at the company's facility in Houston.

Texas Business reports:  An owner of a Houston health care company pleaded guilty Thursday to committing health care fraud and making false statements relating to health care matters, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).

Texas Business reports: PLANO—A Dallas/Fort Worth homebuilder pleaded guilty to a mortgage fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday.

Texas Business reports:  SINTON—The Texas Attorney General’s office today charged a residential roofing contractor with deceiving Texas homeowners and unlawfully soliciting roof repairs.

Texas Business reports:  Two owners of a Houston health care company pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $800,000, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).

Texas Business reports:  Over the past year, five states have begun requiring energy companies to disclose some of the chemicals they pump into the ground to extract oil and gas using the process of hydraulic fracturing.

Texas Business reports:  An owner of a Houston health care company pleaded guilty in connection with a $654,227 Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).

Texas Business reports:  WICHITA FALLS— James Clayton Baxter, 28, of Wichita Falls pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert K. Roach to one count of copyright infringement, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANTONIO—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bimbo Bakeries USA in San Antonio for 10 serious violations following a safety and health inspection at the company's work site in San Antonio after investigators found workers exposed to numerous workplace hazards, including the danger of amputations. 

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $1,854,902 against 135 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Texas Business reports:  San Antonio – The Texas Attorney General’s office joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to launch a national crackdown on immigration scams.   During the launch of the “Combating Immigration Services Scams” initiative, attorney general’s office also announced the state today charged four defendants with violating Texas laws governing notaries public.

Sign advertising rental lots located in front of mobile home on one of the rented lots.

Texas Business reports:  Austin—The Texas Attorney General’s Office today charged a Cameron County developer with unlawfully subdividing and leasing lots in violation of state colonias prevention laws.

Texas Business reports: Corpus Christi—The Texas Attorney General’s office resolved a portion of its ongoing investigation into the disposition of the late Robert C. East’s estate.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—Adrian Levale Cole and Albert Terrance Watkins, both of Houston, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  ALEXANDRIA, VA—A federal grand jury late yesterday indicted David Maloy, 57, of Coppell, Texas, for his involvement in a fraud scheme that caused more than $7 million in losses.

Texas Business reports:  Tyler—A 31-year-old Malakoff, Texas man pled guilty to federal charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Texas Business reports:  Corpus Christi—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued four serious and one repeat citation to Sam Kane Beef Processor Inc. following an inspection at the company's facility in Corpus Christi, where multiple safety hazards were found. Proposed penalties total $61,000.

Texas Business reports:  Groesbeck--A Limestone County jury sentenced Reginald Lee Clark to 25 years in state prison after convicting him of stealing more than $400,000 from clients of his investment advisory business. The 12-member jury convicted Clark on a charge of theft on May 25, according to a statement by the Texas State Securities Board.

Texas Business reports:  Beaumont—A Broaddus, Texas couple has been sentenced for health care  fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

 Texas Business reports:  Dallas—Ray M. White, 52, of Mansfield, Texas, who pleaded guilty in June 2010 to one count of commodities fraud, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 10 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  Securities Commissioner Benette L. Zivley on May 13 entered an Emergency Cease and Desist Order against a North Texas company and its affiliate, alleging the fraudulent sale and marketing of oil and gas interests to teachers and other school district employees.

Texas Business reports:  Plano—A 52-year-old Paris, Texas podiatrist has pleaded guilty to federal health care fraud charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Texas Business reports:  Beaumont—A federal grand jury has returned a 37-count indictment charging a Beaumont electrical contractor with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

orth Fork Double Mountain Fork Brazos River in Yellow House Canyon near Slaton, Texas

Texas Business reports: Because of the severity of the Texas drought, water rights have been restricted on the longest river in Texas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced.

Texas Business reports:  The owner of a Houston-area durable medical equipment (DME) company was sentenced to 84 months in prison for her role in a Medicare fraud scheme, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced.

Texas Business reports:  Corpus Christi—The Texas Attorney General’s office charged Silverio Salinas of Corpus Christi with falsely claiming to be a medical doctor licensed in Texas.

Texas Business reports:  Tenaris S.A., a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Luxembourg, has agreed to pay a $3.5 million penalty for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Texas Business reports:  A retired major in the U.S. Army pleaded guilty Monday in San Antonio to accepting $400,000 from a contractor following his deployment to Kuwait, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fined Belvan Corporation in Crocket County $119,360 for air violations, and Apache Corporation in Wheeler County $11,200 for records violations.

Texas Business reports:  A 20-year-old computer hacker from North Carolina has been sentenced to prison for planning to hack into Houston-area ATMs, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—Former Houston gas trader Stephanie Roqumore has been sentenced by United States District Judge Lynn N. Hughes six years in federal prison without parole for defrauding numerous natural gas trading companies of nearly $8 million, United States José Angel Moreno announced. 

Texas Business reports:  After a dispute over a helicopter landing between the Navarro County Sheriff’s Department and the Navarro Mills Volunteer Fire Department, they turned to the Texas Attorney General office to see who was right.  Both are wrong, said the Texas Attorney General in an opinion issued today. Only the helicopter pilot has final authority over where to land.

Texas Business reports:  The Securities and Exchange Commission obtained a court order in the Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas that freezes assets of China Voice Holding Corp., which trades in over-the-counter markets and has claimed to have a portfolio of telecommunications products and services in both the U.S. and China.

Texas Business reports:  McAllen—A former employee of a McAllen-area durable medical equipment (DME) company has been convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  Dallas—Rejis Lamont Williams, a Texas certified real estate appraiser, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  A Harris County jury has returned a $13.8 million verdict against a credit repair business and its owner, finding they defrauded indebted Texans and failed to register with authorities in violation of state law.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $1,347,522 against 90 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—A former owner of a durable medical equipment company (DME) pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of more than $5 million, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  Fort Worth—American Airlines filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Travelport LLC, and Orbitz Worldwide to stop exclusionary and anticompetitive business practices of the defendants and recover monetary damages that American has incurred as a result of these harmful actions.

Texas Business reports:  Eustace—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited five companies for serious safety and health violations following a combustible dust flash fire that released hydrogen sulfide at the Eustace Gas Processing Plant in Eustace and hospitalized five workers.

Texas Business reports: The state agency on environomental regulation fined Chevron Phillips more than $180,000 for air violations.

Texas Business reports:  Austin—The Texas Attorney General’s office charged a California-based telemarketing firm and its owner with unlawfully selling fraudulent automobile vehicle warranties and violating state and federal “do not call” laws.

Texas Business reports:  Marshall—Norit Americas Inc. announced that a three-person independent arbitration panel has issued its decision in the binding arbitration with ADA-ES, Inc. and certain of its affiliates, as well as former Norit employees John Rectenwald and Steve Young.

Texas Business reports:  Dallas—Kay Anne White, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis to three years in federal prison following her guilty plea in January to one count of making false statements regarding health care matters, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Texas Business reports:  Austin—The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has notified ATI Enterprises Inc. (ATI) that an investigation of graduate employment reports from three of its Dallas-area ATI career schools revealed violations of the Texas Education Code, according to a TWC statement.

Texas Business reports:  Dallas— The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved the sale of substantially all of Blockbuster’s assets to DISH Network Corporation.

Texas Business reports:  A San Antonio architectural firm won a $6 million contract to provide architectural and engineering services for a new U.S. courthouse.

Texas Business reports:  McAllen—The former president and vice president of a McAllen-area bank and an area homebuilder have been convicted of bank fraud after pleading guilty, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office resolved the state’s enforcement action against South Carolina-based income tax consulting firm JK Harris & Company.

Bryan W. Shaw

Texas Business reports:  U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed three Texans to the  Agricultural Air Quality Task Force, including one from a Texas agency that is actively bucking the EPA on air quality control permits.

Texas Business reports:  A 29-count indictment, returned recently by a federal grand jury in Dallas and unsealed this week, charges five individuals with various felony offenses related to a mortgage fraud scheme they ran for nearly three years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas (NDTX).

Texas Business reports:  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined Martin Operating Partnership LP of Beaumont, Texas, $48,700 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

Texas Business reports:  Odessa—Former Former Winkler County Memorial Hospital administrator Stan Wiley pleaded guilty to abuse of official capacity.

Workers in hazmat suits check the status of another cleanup site

Texas Business reports: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added a Midland site to the National Priorities List of Superfund sites. 

Dean Larry Sager, left, and Dean Jorge Cerdio, right, after signing papers establishing a dual-degree program between UT Law and ITAM.

Texas Business reports:  The University of Texas School of Law and the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City have announced a new dual-degree program that will allow students to earn both a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law and a Licenciatura en Derecho (Mexican professional degree in law) from ITAM, the UT law school said in a prepared statement.

Texas Business reports: The U.S. Department of Labor filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas alleging that Houston-based Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP, and its parent company Goodman Global Inc., violated the anti-retaliation provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act when they terminated an employee who had complained to supervisors about the companies' recordkeeping practices required by OSHA.

Texas Business reports:  McAllen—The owner of a McAllen-area durable medical equipment (DME) company and one of his employees have been indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy, multiple counts of health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft for their alleged roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid through fraudulent billing for power wheelchairs and diabetic supplies, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  A federal jury has convicted the owner of Memorial Medical Supply, a durable medical equipment business, of multiple counts of health care fraud and the payment of kickbacks arising from a multi-million dollar fraud upon Medicare and Medicaid, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced.

Texas Business reports:  Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged 24 defendants – including Jason Hope, the chief executive officer of Arizona-based Eye Level Holdings – with perpetuating a text messaging scheme that led to millions of dollars in unauthorized mobile phone charges.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Seaboard International Inc. with 24 serious and two other-than-serious safety violations following the death of a worker at the company's Houston facility.

Texas Business reports:  The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced today that it has fined Southwest Securities, Inc. of Dallas $500,000 for using paid consultants to solicit municipal securities business and for violations of other Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) rules.

Texas Business reports:  McAllen—The Texas Attorney General’s office resolved five price-gouging cases filed against South Texas motel operators for their improper conduct during Hurricane Dolly.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office charged Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corporation (GCMC) with violating Texas environmental protection laws.

Texas Business reports:  Helotes—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Venetian Marble & Granite in Helotes with 10 serious safety and health violations after an inspection found that workers were exposed to unsafe levels of crystalline silica particles, the agency announced in a formal statement.

Texas Business reports:  The Shell oil and chemical refinery in Deer Park oil refinery reported a benzene release to the National Response Center.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office said in an opinion issued today from its office that cities are prohibited from using radar devices that makes photographs of a vehicle, its license plate or operator.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved penalties totaling $1,976,497 against 91 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Texas Business reports:  The Houston trial law firm Arnold & Itkin LLP announced a verdict of more than $2.4 million reached by a jury last week on behalf of a worker who suffered severe burns while working at ExxonMobil's refinery in Baytown, Texas.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office recently resolved the state’s enforcement action against a Cameron County couple that unlawfully subdivided, sold, and leased several residential lots in the El Jardin and Magic Valley subdivisions.

Texas Business reports:  Premont—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued 21 serious citations to Waste Facility Inc. for exposing workers to multiple safety and health hazards following an inspection at the company's facility in Premont. 

Texas Business reports: MCALLEN – The Texas Attorney General’s office took enforcement actions against six Rio Grande Valley “notarios” for defrauding their customers and violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), the state's Notary Public Act, and the State Bar Act.

Texas Business reports:  Plano—A 68-year-old Dallas man has been indicted in a commercial real estate investment scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, recently announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Texas Business reports:  A former Austin businessman was recently charged with defrauding investors of millions.

Texas Business reports: Austin’s Valence Technology Inc., a manufacturer of advanced energy storage solutions, prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit regarding the company's carbothermal reduction technology.

Texas Business reports:  Dallas—Seven North Texas defendants, including  the owners and operators of two health care companies, were arrested as part of a Medicare fraudulent claims scheme.

Texas Business reports:  Minnesota’s Bowman and Brooke LLP, trial firm that defends household-name corporations in high-exposure product liability cases, opened a new office in Austin.

Texas Business reports:  Austin’s Xitronix Corporation, a developer of advanced measurement systems designed to control key process steps in the manufacturing of semiconductors, recently received a final judgment invalidating KLA-Tencor Corporation’s patent claims against the company.

Texas Business reports: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued SPA Pipe and Supply LP in Abilene, doing business as Smith Pipe, 20 serious and two other-than-serious citations after an inspection at the company's facility on Highway 277.

Texas Business reports:  Dr. Arun Sharma, 56, of Kemah has been sentenced to 15 years for engaging in a conspiracy with his wife, Dr. Kiran Sharma, to commit health care fraud and committing health care fraud over a 10-year-period in the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently approved penalties totaling 422,320 against Chevron Phillips Chemical Company in Harris County. 

Texas Business reports:  A class action lawsuit was filed by a Pennsylvania law firm against Waco’s Life Partner Holdings Inc.

Texas Business reports:  A Travis County jury today returned a record-setting verdict for damages, finding that drug manufacturer Actavis Mid-Atlantic LLC misrepresented its drug prices to the taxpayer-funded Medicaid program.

Texas Business reports: A federal agency charged an El Paso roofing firm with federal violations after a fatality at a worksite.

Texas Business reports: Six lawyers from a Dallas firm have broke away to open a Texas office for a national product liability group.

Texas Business reports:  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a civil penalty of $1,025,000 against San Antonio Aerospace LP for violating the Department of Transportation’s Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing programs.

Texas Business reports:  Waco—Life Partners HoldingsInc. confirmed the SEC is conducting an investigation into the business of its operating subsidiary, Life Partners Inc.

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Department of Labor fined a Houston-based recycler for potentially exposing workers to blood borne pathogens.

Texas Business reports:  A landmark change involving a federal act may impact property tax coffers across the state.  

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office obtained a temporary restraining order and asset freeze that will help secure the Kennedy Ridge Water Supply Corporation’s financial resources—which were depleted after its former executive and others diverted the supply corporation’s funds into fraudulent accounts under their control.

 Texas Business reports:  A state district judge granted a request by American Airlines for a temporary restraining order Sabre from continuing to “bias” its display of American flights.  

Texas Business notes this story in Bloomberg:  U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham in Marshall, Texas, said today that testimony during the 2009 trial on damages was incorrect in light of recent unrelated appeals court rulings that limited how damages should be calculated.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas attorney general’s office recently resolved a state enforcement action against Mylan Laboratories Inc., which was charged with inaccurately reporting drug prices to the Texas Medicaid program.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office has been asked whether or not the U.S. citizenship requirement to hold a racing license in Texas is constitutional.

Texas Business reports:  The Texas Attorney General’s office charged a New Braunfels ATV dealer with violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).

 Texas Business reports:  The war between the EPA and the Texas systems of pollution controls continue. 

Texas Business reports:  In the latest battle between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas agency issued a press release attacking the EPA’s method of communication. 

Texas Business reports:  LUBBOCK – The Texas Attorney General’s Office charged two Lubbock mortgage companies and their owners with orchestrating a complex scheme to defraud Texas property owners.

Texas Business reports:   Hewlett-Packard entered into a civil settlement with Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) for alleged E-rate fraud, following an extensive investigation by the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice, the DOJ recently announced. 

Texas Business reports:  A 47-count sealed indictment returned by a Houston grand jury was unsealed following the arrest of five of six defendants charged with allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid by filing false claims for orthotic equipment and devices, United States Attorney’s Office and Texas Attorney General’s Office announced.

Texas Business reports:  LINDEN – The Texas Attorney General’s office reached an agreement with a Cass County horse seller that misrepresented the nature and health of its animals.

Texas Business reports:  EmFinders, a Frisco-based technology company that offers a wearable cellular locator device for impaired adults and children, terminated its relationship with Project Lifesaver International (PLI) and filed a lawsuit against PLI for breach of contract and tortuous interference. 

Texas Business reports:  A 9-count sealed indictment charging Birdie Leroy Revis, aka Leroy Revis, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud has been unsealed, the United States Attorney’s Office and the Texas Attorney General Office announced in a joint press release.

Texas Business reports:  EL PASO – An El Paso District Court Friday granted a temporary restraining order against two individuals that operated three Internet-based “home schools.” 

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—Tyler Technologies Inc. has signed contracts to provide its integrated court case management software solution to Walker and Medina counties in Texas. In total, the contracts are valued at more than $1.9 million.

Texas Business reports:  An Austin firm won a $44.5 million contract for Navy litigation support services. 

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH – The Texas Attorney General’s office today took legal action against a Grapevine women’s health clinic for purchasing and selling intrauterine devices (IUDs) that were not approved for sale in the United States.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Six independent pharmacies in Texas are suing CVS Caremark for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) violations and trade secret misappropriation. 

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS – The Texas Attorney General’s office resolved an enforcement action against a couple who improperly misrepresented the nature of their college entrance exam preparatory materials. 

Texas Business reports:  GREENVILLE—A lawsuit asserting claims for common law misappropriation and unjust enrichment was filed last week against MGA Entertainment Inc. in the 354th Judicial District Court for Hunt County. 

Texas Business reports:  An owner of a durable medical equipment (DME) company has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the Medicaid health care program of approximately $1 million by submitting false and fraudulent claims for incontinence supplies, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott recently announced. 

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN – The State of Texas today filed four motions to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing new federal regulations that it claims threaten the Texas economy and jeopardize Texas jobs.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN – California-based Bally Total Fitness Corp. today signed an agreed judgment with the Texas Attorney General’s Office that prohibits the defendant from continuing to send its former members misleading “past-due” mailings. 

Texas Business notes this story by Amanda Bronstad of the National Law Journal:  The $20 billion compensation fund for victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has begun taking applications, but plaintiffs lawyers doubt it would significantly forestall litigation. In fact, they said, it could lead to a new wave of lawsuits.

Texas Business reports:  The U.S. District Court in Laredo reportedly has arrested a man allegedly posing as an immigration attorney. 

Texas Business reports:  The Office of Inspector General of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im OIG) announces that a Texas businessman and a co-conspirator have been indicted for money laundering and conspiring to defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the Ex-Im Bank) of more than $950,000.  

Texas Business recommends this story by Lynn Brezosky of the San Antonio Express-News:  BROWNSVILLE — This city's efforts to become the first in Texas to ban nonreusable grocery bags hit a snag this week when owners of its four-decade-old paper bag plant threatened to pack up their 150 jobs and tote them — and the company's tax payments — out of town.

Texas Business reports:  San Antonio’s Kinetic Concepts Inc. announced the German District Court in Mannheim has found that Renasys canisters and foam dressings used with Smith & Nephew plc's Renasys EZ system infringe KCI's German counterpart of its European patent for negative pressure wound therapy. 

Texas Business recommends this story by Brian Gaar of the Austin American-Statesman:   Securities fraud is bigger than ever, state officials say, as tough economic times have prompted people to seek new investment opportunities.

Texas Business notes this story by Donna Goodison of the Boston Herald: The former owners of baseball bat and glove maker Nokona - including a Berkshires neighbor and friend of the governor who owns the Pittsfield Colonials minor league team - are being sued after the company was seized by a bank and sold.

Texas Business recommends this story by Brenda Sapino Jeffreys of Texas Lawyer:  It has been more than nine months since plaintiffs lawyer John M. O'Quinn died in a Houston automobile accident, but his legal affairs still make news.

TexasBusiness.com reports:  ALAMO, Texas - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited M&G Equipment Group Ltd., doing business as M Construction in Alamo, Texas, with two alleged willful and six alleged serious violations following the death of an employee who was working in a trench installing a storm drainage system.  The agency has proposed a $53,550 fine. 

TexasBusiness.com reports:  The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that BP Products North America Inc. will pay a full penalty of $50.6 million stemming from the 2005 explosion at its Texas City, Texas, refinery that killed 15 workers and injured 170 others. 

TexasBusiness.com notes this story by Steve Myers of ValleyCentral.com:  AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Texas Attorney General's office has ruled in favor of a local independent newspaper trying to get information about Downtown Amarillo Incorporated, or DAI.

TexasBusiness.com reports:  NRC and EPA called upon to examine radioactive waste site and licensing process, risks of groundwater contamination and potential risks to the Ogallala Aquifer, which lies beneath eight states.

TexasBusiness.com recommends this blog by Tom Fowler of the Houston Chronicle:  Hundreds of civil lawsuits filed against BP related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill will be consolidated under a federal judge in New Orleans, the "geographic and psychological 'center of gravity'" for the cases.

TexasBusiness.com  notes:   BP announced yesterday it had reached a “significant milestone” by successfully plugging its ruptured well with heavy drilling mud, but the company’s troubles aren’t over yet. Separate from the lawsuits it faces over the Gulf disaster, BP’s now being sued by workers at its notorious Texas City refinery, reports Marian Wang of ProPublica.