New lawsuit says Elkhart police obstructed shooting probe
The sister of a man Elkhart police killed two years ago contends in a new lawsuit that department leaders obstructed an independent investigation of the shooting.
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NW Indiana scrap dealer convicted of razing historic bridge
A federal jury has convicted a northwestern Indiana scrap-metal dealer of interstate transportation of stolen goods for allegedly demolishing a historic railroad bridge and selling the metal. Prosecutors said Kenneth Morrison and a work crew cut up the unused Monon Bridge that spanned the Grand Calumet River near downtown Hammond and sold it to Illinois scrapyards for $18,000. He also allegedly sold parts to an East Chicago scrap dealer.
‘Dirty deeds’: Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen gets 3 years in prison
Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s one-time fixer, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for crimes that included arranging the payment of hush money to conceal his boss’ alleged sexual affairs, telling a judge that he agreed time and again to cover up Trump’s “dirty deeds” out of “blind loyalty.”
Habeas petition granted, credit time restored for federal inmate
A federal prisoner has successfully argued for his lost credit time to be restored after the Indiana Northern District Court granted his habeas petition, finding the man was entitled to notice of the factual allegations of a new charge against him at least 24 hours before a hearing, but did not receive it.
Rent-to-own lawsuits rise in federal, state courts
Katrina Carter and Quentin Lintner are continuing to fight for their piece of the American dream even after the Indiana Court of Appeals closed the door on their attempt to get restitution from the company that put them in an uninhabitable home under a rent-to-own contract. They are not alone in litigation arising from such arrangements.
Multiple Indiana voting laws on trial in federal court
Indiana, like many states, has been amending and enacting new voting laws in the name of stamping out voter fraud. Lawyers and civic organizations are challenging laws and regulations that they believe are restricting the right to vote.
Male student claims gender bias in campus rape investigation in lawsuit against IU
A male student has filed a federal lawsuit against Indiana University after the Bloomington school investigated a sexual assault complaint against him and determined that even though he “reasonably should not have known” the woman was incapacitated, he was still responsible for nonconsensual sex.
ACLU urges high court to let Indiana abortion rulings stand
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and Planned Parenthood are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to let stand two decisions that stopped portions of an Indiana abortion law signed when Vice President Mike Pence was governor.
Prosecutors recommend no jail time for cooperative Flynn
President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser provided so much information to the special counsel’s Russia investigation that prosecutors say he shouldn’t do any prison time, according to a court filing that describes Michael Flynn’s cooperation as “substantial.”
USA Gymnastics bankruptcy might leave sex-abuse victims unpaid
Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, under threat of being decertified by the U.S. Olympic Committee, filed for bankruptcy after running short of funds to pay victims of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse.
Indiana ACLU sues East Allen Schools over LGBTQ club
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana last week aided a group of more than 30 East Allen County high school students when it filed a lawsuit against the school corporation, claiming it had imposed “undue, unequal burdens” an LGBTQ+ organization.
Citing lackluster briefing, court gives trooper another chance in panhandler’s suit
Lamenting the “limited utility” of the parties’ briefing on cross-motions for summary judgment, a district court judge has denied summary judgment to an Indiana State Police trooper sued after arresting a man for a form of panhandling but is giving him another chance to defeat a summary judgment ruling in favor of the arrestee.
Indiana man gets $47K in excessive force lawsuit
A man who alleged that a Gary police officer attacked him during a traffic stop because he was having an affair with the officer's wife has reached a settlement with the city.
Twelve states sue Indiana medical firm over data breach
Indiana is among a dozen states suing a Fort Wayne health records company over a data breach that compromised information of more than 3.9 million people.
Justices reject environmentalists’ appeal over border wall
The United States Supreme Court is rejecting an appeal from environmental groups trying to stop President Donald Trump from building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, even as other legal action against the wall is ongoing.
Mueller considers new charges for ex-Trump campaign chairman
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort may face additional charges after lawyers in the special counsel’s Russia investigation said he lied to them and broke his plea agreement, prosecutors said Friday.
Michael Cohen pleads guilty to lying to Congress
In a surprise appearance in a New York courtroom Thursday, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia.
Mueller accuses Manafort of breaking plea agreement by lying
The special counsel in the Russia investigation is accusing former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of violating his plea agreement by repeatedly lying to federal investigators, an extraordinary allegation that could expose him to a lengthier prison sentence — and potentially more criminal charges.
Evansville family to take civil rights suit against city, police to jury
More than six years after several relatives were charged in connection with the death of their uncle, their civil rights lawsuit against Evansville and Kentucky police is proceeding to trial.
Citing opioids’ devastation, state sues Purdue Pharma
Following a two-year investigation during which time multiple Indiana cities and counties and at least 27 states filed lawsuits, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Nov. 14 his office is leading the state of Indiana into a legal battle over prescription opioids.