Companies move to dismiss East Chicago lead contamination suit
Companies taken to court over property damage from the contaminated USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago have asked a federal judge to dismiss the case.
District Courts
Articles
Despite ‘role of Grinch,’ 7th Circuit won’t stop Christmas show
An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading role in a revival, won the reluctant blessing of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Judge holds climate change class in suits against big oil
A federal judge presiding over lawsuits that accuse big oil companies of lying about global warming to protect their profits is turning his courtroom into a classroom in what could be the first hearing to study the science of climate change.
Indiana Court Decisions — March 1-14, 2018
7th Circuit Court of Appeals March 2 Civil Plenary — Noncitizen Transgender Name Change John Doe, formerly known as Jane Doe v. Eric Holcomb, in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Indiana, et al. 17-1756 A Mexican native with asylum in the United States cannot continue with his suit against various Indiana […]
Judge denies attorney’s motion to exclude in copyright infringement case
A retired Indiana attorney has lost his motion to exclude a defendant’s expert testimony in his copyright infringement case, with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana finding the plaintiff was not prejudice by the defendant’s failure to file an expert report.
District court denies Fogle’s motion for judicial notice of FBI letters, laws on communism
Disgraced Subway pitchman Jared Fogle has once again been denied relief from his 15-year prison sentence after a district court judge denied his motion to take judicial notice of certain facts, including correspondence from a former FBI director and congressional laws regarding communism.
Former exec sues Mainstreet, says developer failed to pay him $630K
A former executive at a Carmel-based development firm Mainstreet is suing the company, claiming it terminated him without cause in November to save money as it was going through a financial downturn.
Workload keeps increasing in Southern Indiana District Court
While overall federal district courts recorded a decline in combined filings for civil cases and criminal defendants in 2017, the Southern Indiana District bucked the trend and posted a 30 percent increase.
7th Circuit upholds child porn convictions
A man convicted on multiple child pornography charges has lost his appeal before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals after the appellate panel found no error warranting reversal of his convictions.
Local attorney sentenced to six years in prison for immigration fraud
An Indianapolis-area attorney who pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft was sentenced Friday to more than six years in federal prison.
Self-promoting ‘Pharma Bro’ sentenced to prison in fraud
Martin Shrkeli, the smirking “Pharma Bro” vilified for jacking up the price of a lifesaving drug, was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison for defrauding investors in two failed hedge funds.
District judge dismisses attorney’s copyright infringement claim on photo
A retired attorney with an extensive history of filing copyright infringement complaints related to a photo of the Indianapolis skyline can no longer pursue one of those complaints after the Indiana Southern District Court granted his defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings on Friday.
7th Circuit upholds resentencing in mortgage fraud scheme
A northern Indiana couple convicted in a mortgage fraud scheme has lost its second appeal of the spouses’ sentences, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in its second opinion in the case that the district court did not err in calculating loss or imposing time served.
7th Circuit grants summary judgment to IMPD officer who fatally shot agitated man
The Indiana Southern District Court must enter judgment in favor of an Indianapolis police officer who fatally shot a man while on duty after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the officer acted reasonably and is entitled to qualified immunity.
South Bend settles excessive force lawsuit for $15K
The city of South Bend agreed to pay a man $15,000 to end a federal lawsuit alleging that a police officer used excessive force while arresting him during a 2014 traffic stop.
7th Circuit: District courts can order federal, state sentences to run concurrently
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated an Indiana man’s enhanced sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm after finding the district court erred in not recognizing its discretion to require the man’s federal sentence to run concurrent to his unrelated state court sentence.
Wiretapping complaint involving Pittsboro, Plainfield police will continue
A wiretapping complaint against a Plainfield police captain will continue after a district court judge partially denied the captain’s motion to dismiss.
COA sends environmental contamination case to Vanderburgh County
An environmental contamination complaint originally filed in Warrick County must be transferred to Vanderburgh County after the Indiana Court of Appeals found no statutory basis to deny a motion to transfer venue.
Conour still seeking counsel, may proceed pro se at resentencing
Convicted fraudster and former attorney William Conour may be forced to proceed pro se at his second resentencing later this month if his continued search for legal representation is unsuccessful.
Hill joins AGs supporting child pornography victims law
Curtis Hill — along with 54 other state and territorial attorneys general — has co-signed a letter calling on Congress to approve the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2017.