Former clients have been receiving the below letter from the Justice Department over the last few days. I took out any identifiers since there have been no charges filed. However, it does look imminent.
You are receiving this notice because the government has reason to believe that you may have been the victim of a crime related to an outbreak of __________ infections caused by contaminated __________ in ___________.
The Crime Victims’ Rights Act gives victims of criminal offenses in federal court certain rights, including: (1) the right to be reasonably protected from the accused; (2) the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding involving the crime, or of any release or escape of the accused; (3) the right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding; (4) the right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, or sentencing; (5) the reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the government in the case; (6) the right to full and timely restitution as provided in law; (7) the right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; and (8) the right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.
Charges have not yet been filed in this matter. If charges are filed, please be aware that most criminal cases are resolved by a plea agreement between the United States Attorney’s Office and the defendant. If the court schedules a plea hearing in this case, or if other proceedings are scheduled, that information will be posted as soon as practicable to the Consumer Protection Branch website at: http://www.justice.gov/civiUcpb/cpb_home.html.
You will be able to check the “Food and Dietary Supplements” section of that website for information about such developments if and when they occur. If you want to inform the prosecutor of your views regarding potential plea agreements, or any other aspect of the case, contact the Consumer Protection Branch at ___-___-____.
Sincerely,
___________ Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice Consumer Protection Branch
August 20,2014