December 17, 2004

Employee Benefits Security Administration Releases Guidance on the Duties of a Directed Trustee

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today released Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2004-03 providing guidance to field investigators on the responsibilities of a directed trustee under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

December 16, 2004

Mental Health Parity Act Extended to December 31, 2005

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced a technical amendment extending the interim final rules under the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) to December 31, 2005.

December 15, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Obtains Court Order Reimbursing California Health Benefit Fund

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

December 10, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues President of Defunct Pennsylvania Company Over Delinquent 401(k) Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - The former president of defunct NLOCI Corporation in West Chester, Pennsylvania., was sued by the U.S. Department of Labor for failure to forward employee contributions to the company’s 401(k) plan. The department is seeking over $17,000 in missing employee contributions plus interest.

December 7, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Dallas Company 401(k) Plan; Trustees To Restore Employee Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Dallas, Texas - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the trustees of Dallas-based C/A Communications, Inc. for failing to remit and forward employee contributions in a timely manner to the company’s 401(k) plan and for retaining the contributions with the general assets of the company.

December 6, 2004

U.S. Labor Secretary Addresses Challenges to Combating Human Trafficking at Conference on Trafficking in Persons in North America

Also Cites Progress Made Against This Terrible Form of Modern-Day Slavery

WASHINGTON—Speaking today at the Conference on Trafficking in Persons in North America, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao outlined the international scope of human trafficking and the Department's efforts to combat it.

The evil of trafficking in human beings must be stopped, Chao said. The worldwide incidence of men, women and children being enslaved demands a vigorous and sustained international effort to rescue victims and protect future generations.

December 2, 2004

DOL Receives Eighth Consecutive Clean Audit of
Annual Financial Statements

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) received, for the eighth year in a row, an unqualified, or clean, opinion on its FY 2004 audited financial statements.

We take extremely seriously our responsibilities as stewards of taxpayers' dollars, said Chao. The Department's financial management excellence is an achievement we are very proud of.

December 1, 2004

GovBenefits.gov Helps Make Holidays Brighter for Those in Need

WASHINGTON — As the weather grows cooler, many greet the coming winter months with anticipation of family gatherings, good food and the exchange of gifts. For others, the winter can be particularly challenging, with higher heating costs, the need for warmer clothes and other financial pressures. For those in need of assistance, the GovBenefits.gov website provides a valuable service by identifying potential benefit options available to citizens.

December 1, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Owner of Defunct Detroit Valet Parking Service Over Delinquent 401(k) Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Detroit, Michigan - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the former owner of defunct Aerial Ventures Management and Concepts of Detroit for failing to forward contributions of employees to the company’s 401(k) plan and commingling plan assets with those of the company.

November 30, 2004

Sheet Metal Workers Pension Plan and Legal Counsel Held in Contempt of Court for Failing to Produce Subpoenaed Documents

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Cleveland, Ohio - A federal district court in Cleveland has granted a motion by the U.S. Department of Labor holding the Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 33, Cleveland Pension Plan, and its legal counsel, Baker & Hostetler, LLP, Cleveland, in civil contempt of court for failing to comply with a court order to produce subpoenaed documents.

November 29, 2004

Labor Department Sues Trustees of Indiana 401(k) Plan Over Delinquent Employee Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

November 26, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Obtains Settlement with Florida Executive For Misusing 401(k) Assets

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

November 23, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Plan Officials of Beverage Association Over Mismanagement of Health Plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Newark, New Jersey - The U.S. Department of Labor has sued the trustees, plan administrators and other fiduciaries to the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association health plan in Trenton, New Jersey for mismanagement of the plan. The self-insured health plan left participants with more than $6 million in unpaid health claims.

November 23, 2004

Labor Department Sues Michigan Corporation and President To Restore Delinquent Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Detroit, Michigan - The U.S. Department of Labor sued Beninati Contracting, Inc. of Utica, Michigan, and its president for failing to forward employee contributions and loan repayments to the company’s 401(k) plan and to segregate the plan contributions from the general operating assets of the company.

November 23, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Sues Florida Firm and Owner to Restore Delinquent 401(k) Contributions

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Miami, Florida - The U.S. Department of Labor sued Telcon, Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida and its president for failure to forward and timely remit contributions deducted from employees’ paychecks to the company’s 401(k) plan.

November 22, 2004

Labor Department Sues Plumbers' Union Benefit Trustees Over $36 Million Investment In Resort

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

November 18, 2004

U.S. Labor Department Obtains Court Judgment Appointing Independent Fiduciary to Manage 401(k) Plan of Maryland Corporation

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Greenbelt, Maryland - The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment appointing J. M. Pension Advisory to manage and terminate the 401(k) plan of C. Price & Associates Inc. of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

November 18, 2004

Media Advisory - HIPAA and Other Health Laws: Delaware Compliance Assistance Seminar

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Dover, Delaware - The Compliance Assistance Seminar sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the Delaware Insurance Department, will take place in Dover, Delaware, November 15-16, at the Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Avenue.

November 17, 2004

Tough Enforcement, Outreach Efforts Protect More Workers

Department of Labor Announces 31% Increase in Financial Remedies Recovered for Victims of Discrimination

November 17, 2004

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Recognizes
Recipients of New Freedom Initiative Award at Award Ceremony

Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award Recognizes Achievements of People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON—Five businesses, three non-profits, and one National Football League player today received the Secretary of Labor's annual New Freedom Initiative Award for service to people with disabilities.