$1.8M restitution order vacated in car dealership fraud
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed and remanded for the recalculation of restitution to be paid by a man involved in fraudulent activities at an Indianapolis car dealership.
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Trucker awarded nearly $900K after Lawrenceburg post office fall
The United States government has been ordered to pay nearly $900,000 to a disabled truck driver who suffered brain and spinal injuries after a fall at an Indiana post office.
Coronavirus impacting Indiana courts, law firms, schools
The Indiana legal community is taking precautions and ramping up efforts to stay healthy as the coronavirus spreads. Meanwhile, Faegre Drinker announced Wednesday that it had reopened most of its offices Wednesday, including its Indianapolis location. The firm had closed all 22 of its global offices Tuesday after a person who attend a firm event in Washington, D.C., tested positive for COVID-19.
Strong showing of intellectual disability prompts stay of federal execution
A federal judge in Indiana has granted a Louisiana man’s motion to stay his execution pending resolution of his habeas action, finding the man made a strong showing that he is intellectually disabled and as a result, the Federal Death Penalty Act forbids his execution.
Attorney accused of tax evasion suspended; 2 justices would disbar
A Schererville attorney previously arraigned in federal court on charges of tax evasion and failure to pay federal income taxes has been suspended from the practice of law for three years without automatic reinstatement, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered Tuesday. Some of the justices, however, said they would disbar the attorney.
Big liquor chain sues Indiana for denying permit for Nora superstore
Just days after getting turned down for a liquor permit, a huge Maryland-based liquor retailer is suing the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, saying the denial was unconstitutional and amounted to economic protectionism.
Judge rebukes Barr’s handling of Mueller report, orders unredacted copy
A federal judge on Thursday sharply rebuked Attorney General William Barr’s handling of the special counsel’s Russia report, saying Barr had made “misleading public statements” to spin the investigation’s findings in favor of President Donald Trump and had shown a “lack of candor.”
Indiana governor backs path for forcing out attorney general
Indiana’s governor is endorsing a proposal that could force the state’s attorney general from office if his law license is suspended over allegations he drunkenly groped a state legislator and three other women.
7th Circuit reinstates prisoner case after 3 denied requests for counsel
A prisoner’s case has been reinstated after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the Indiana Northern District Court’s denial of his three requests for appointed counsel prejudiced him.
Royalties dispute over Indiana surgeon’s inventions returning to state court
An ongoing royalties dispute between Indiana spine surgeon Rick Sasso and medical-device giant Medtronic will continue in state court despite Medtronic’s efforts to remove the matter to a federal judge.
Court dismisses suit that sought to provide attorneys to CHINS children
A lawsuit filed by 10 Hoosier children who argued Indiana should be required to provide legal counsel to youngsters involved in children in need of services proceedings was dismissed Tuesday in federal court. Attorneys who filed the case, however, indicated the matter is far from over.
7th Circuit: Collateral-attack waivers in plea deals defeat firearms appeals
Two men claiming their firearms convictions should be invalidated after a 2019 Supreme Court ruling failed to find relief at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that collateral-attack waivers in their plea agreements were valid and thus defeated their challenges to their convictions and sentences.
Web Exclusive: Pendleton inmate wins $425K solitary settlement with help from Chicago, pro bono attorneys
A Pendleton Correctional Facility inmate will be paid $425,000 by the state after spending four years in isolation for a disciplinary violation he says he didn’t commit. But the settlement might not have been agreed upon without the help of a Chicago-based justice center that says it advocates for underdogs.
Legislation, lawsuits used to combat Indiana’s lead problem as contamination cases persist
Organizations and individuals around Indiana have been pushing for a solution to the lead problem. The toxin is everywhere and exposure, especially in very young children, can cause lifelong cognitive impairment.
Judge dismisses women’s lawsuit accusing Curtis Hill of sexual harassment
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by four women who say Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill groped them during a legislative party in 2018. Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said in part that because the women didn’t work for Hill, they can’t sue the state of Indiana under federal laws meant to prevent workplace discrimination and retaliation.
Justices: Product Liability Act’s statute of repose can’t be extend for post-sale repair
Indiana Supreme Court justices Monday answered in the negative a question of whether the Indiana Products Liability Act’s statute of repose may apply to a judicially-created exception to the rule, finding it could not be extended by a manufacturer’s post-delivery repair, refurbishment or reconstruction of a disputed product.
Environmental groups sue to speed up lake sturgeon status
Environmental groups in Illinois and Indiana have filed a federal complaint in hopes of forcing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete a review that could designate lake sturgeon as a federally endangered species.
Indiana ordered to pay $182K in abortion case attorney fees
The state of Indiana is on the hook for more than $182,000 in attorney fees and costs related to a long-fought legal battle over a controversial abortion law that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Northern District: Bankruptcy fees must be paid as cases are e-filed
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana has announced updates will go into effect March 2 regarding the payment of filing fees for electronically filed cases.
Recovery for Durham fraud victims hinges on high-stakes trial
A high-stakes lawsuit goes to trial Monday that could represent the last, best hope for victims of Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham’s Ponzi scheme to recoup a sizable recovery on their more than $200 million in losses.