Ex-Vigo school administrator convicted in kickback scheme
A former Vigo County school district administrator has been convicted in a multi-year kickback scheme that federal authorities say cost the district more than $100,000.
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Attorney sanctioned $500 for ‘frivolous and misleading motion’
The most recent development in copyright litigation challenging the use of a retired attorney’s copyrighted photo of the Indianapolis skyline has resulted in another Indianapolis attorney being sanctioned in federal court for filing a frivolous and misleading motion.
Judge gives Fogle another avenue to challenge sentence
A federal judge is giving former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle another chance to seek relief from his 15-year prison sentence after striking down the most recent of his objections to his sentence on Wednesday.
Southern District’s Lawrence to take senior status in 2018
Judge William T. Lawrence for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, has announced his decision to take senior status July 1, 2018, creating another opening in the Southern District that already has one judicial vacancy and is still recovering from the loss of two colleagues.
Civic education endowment started in McKinney’s honor
To support its civic education programs, the Indiana Bar Foundation is starting an endowment and will name it after one of the civic education’s biggest cheerleaders – the late Larry McKinney, senior judge with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
7th Circuit upholds qualified immunity
The Department of Correction’s religious director was entitled to qualified immunity on a complaint alleging he violated two Jewish plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights by failing to delay their transfer to a facility that did not offer Jewish group worship services, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday.
Hill moves to intervene in case restricting local ICE detentions
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has filed a motion to intervene in a federal immigration case after a district court judge entered a consent decree barring the Marion County Sheriff’s Office from detaining illegal immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without a warrant or probable cause. The decree implicates the state’s ability to enforce its own statutes, Hill argued, thus creating the need for the state to intervene and file an appeal.
Citing civil forfeiture ruling, trial court returns seized property
Nearly four months after a district court judge struck down portions of Indiana’s civil forfeiture statute as unconstitutional, the effects of that decision are now being felt in Indiana’s trial courts, where a judge has ordered the return of seized property pursuant to the district court’s ruling.
Negligence claim against GM, contractor to continue after deadly explosion
A negligence claim against General Motors and two independent contractors stemming from a deadly explosion at a Grant County GM plant will continue after a district court judge denied in part the defendants’ motions for summary judgment.
Feds seek 4-5-year sentence for ex-attorney in wire fraud case
A disbarred northern Indiana attorney who drained a grocery store receivership of more than $330,000 then covered up his crimes for more than a decade should receive a sentence of about four to five years in federal prison on Tuesday, prosecutors say.
Ex-Indiana sheriff’s bribery sentencing moved to January
The sentencing of former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich on his federal bribery and wire fraud conviction has been moved to mid-January.
Northern District Bankruptcy Court seeks comment on rule amendment
Indiana’s Northern District Bankruptcy Court is seeking public comment on a proposed addition to a local rule.
Indianapolis attorney pleads guilty to immigration fraud
An Indianapolis immigration attorney has pleaded guilty to filing false visa applications for more than 250 clients and collecting $750,000 in fraudulent fees.
Suit claiming police ‘unleashed’ K-9 on sleeping man proceeds
The City of Indianapolis lost its bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a man who claims an officer “unleashed” a police dog on him as he slept, leading to serious injuries.
First Amendment suit challenging Charter School Act proceeds
A federal lawsuit alleging Indiana’s Charter School Act violates the First Amendment Establishment Clause will proceed after a district court judge declined to dismiss a portion of the complaint against a Monroe County charter school.
Magnus-Stinson, Minkler warn Hoosiers of jury duty scam
A federal judge and prosecutor in Indianapolis are warning Hoosiers about a nationwide jury duty scam that threatens people with arrest if they don’t pay up.
Ex-Planned Parenthood group worker sues over medical leave
A former employee with a Planned Parenthood advocacy group is suing the organization, alleging that she was denied family medical leave after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
District court dismisses suit against police department for failure to investigate rape claim
A district court judge has dismissed both federal and state claims against a northern Indiana police department accused of failing to adequately investigate a rape case, finding the plaintiff and alleged rape victim failed to state a claim for relief on constitutional or equal protection grounds.
Indiana Bar Foundation to honor servant-leaders in law and education
Fifteen Hoosiers will be honored during the Indiana Bar Foundation’s recognition dinner in December for their contributions to the legal profession, pro bono legal services, civic education, and the public through community service.
Free speech, fair trials collide at ex-Lake County sheriff’s sentencing
With Lake County seemingly awash in political corruption, a local newspaper is trying to uproot the culture of kickbacks and payouts by putting the spotlight on those who speak in favor of the latest elected official to be convicted. The Lake County Bar Association formally opposes the action.