More Indiana communities sue drug companies over opioids
Several more Indiana communities have joined the growing list of governments suing pharmaceutical companies and distributors over their roles in the opioid abuse crisis.
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At least 15-year sentence sought for ex-Lake County sheriff
Federal prosecutors are asking that the former sheriff of Indiana’s second most-populous county be sentenced to at least 15 years in prison for taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from towing businesses.
Indiana Court Decisions — Dec. 19, 2017-Jan. 3, 2018
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the latest reporting period.
Problems persist as director quits DCS
The departure of Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services surprised several family law attorneys and social service providers. Uniformly, they agreed the former Lake County juvenile judge was a strong advocate for children and brought valuable experience to her tenure. Still, the department has struggled against internal and external challenges.
Judge pro tem appointed for Vermillion Circuit Court
A senior judge will assume jurisdiction over the Vermillion Circuit Court when he steps in as judge pro tempore in April.
AG’s office files notice of appeal in immigration case
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office has filed a notice of appeal with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals after a district court judge struck down its motion to intervene in a federal immigration case that places additional requirements on local law enforcement detaining individuals for the federal government.
Allen County tax, annexation dispute to continue in trial court
A dispute between Allen County fire departments grounded in both annexation and tax law will continue before the Allen Superior Court after the Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer to an August decision giving the trial court jurisdiction to hear the case.
Fort Wayne man gets 8 years for not telling partners he has HIV
A Fort Wayne man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for not telling numerous sex partners that he’s HIV-positive.
COA upholds judgment in favor of Delaware County on insurance claim
A Delaware County public defender convicted on multiple drunk driving charges has lost his appeal of the grant of summary judgment in favor of the county after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled he failed to present evidence that would have required the county to pay for his accident-related medical bills.
Man gets 137 years for murder of woman stabbed 70 times
A judge has sentenced a Muncie man to 137 1/2 years in prison for the slaying of a woman whom prosecutors say was stabbed about 70 times while being robbed of prescription pain medicine.
Southern Indiana gets new prosecutor focused on violence
The U.S. Justice Department says the federal Southern District of Indiana will receive an additional assistant U.S. attorney to focus exclusively on violent crime.
Tax Court affirms proposed assessments for lack of evidence
A lack of sufficient evidence doomed a businessman’s appeal of the Indiana Department of State Revenue’s proposed assessments against two of his businesses, as the Indiana Tax Court ruled Thursday it could not substantiate the businesses’ various expense deductions based on the evidence presented.
Huntington chief deputy prosecutor appointed to Circuit Court bench
The Huntington County chief deputy prosecutor will soon transition to a judicial role on the Circuit Court bench.
Former IU McKinney dean dies at 70
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law alumna and former dean and professor Susanah M. Mead has died, the school announced Thursday.
Judge orders IBM to post $25M bond in Indiana welfare case
IBM Corp. must post a $25 million bond as it appeals a $78 million judgment in a long-running case that stems from the company’s failed effort to automate much of Indiana’s welfare services.
Bankruptcy court amendment protects against misuse of filing fee
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana has amended language governing the payment of filing fees to the court, a change prompted by recent concerns about attorneys using clients’ filing fee payments for other purposes.
Ruling: Lids store managers may proceed with pay class-action
Indianapolis-based Lids store managers who claim they were denied overtime pay in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act cleared the first hurdle Tuesday in a proposed class-action lawsuit.
Appeals court reverses ruling for Anthem in claim denial
Indianapolis-based Anthem Insurance has lost a ruling in its favor after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed Thursday and determined the insurer should have covered a doctor’s medical expenses incurred during his grace period for late premium payments.
2018 State of the Judiciary set for next week
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush will discuss the judiciary’s continued efforts toward expanding court technology, addressing the opioid crisis and other related topics during her 2018 State of the Judiciary address next week.
Hamilton to lead 7th Circuit review of harassment policies
Judge David Hamilton of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has been appointed to chair a committee to review policies for reporting and handling harassment within the federal jurisdiction.