Lawyer charged with defrauding elderly pleads guilty
A former South Bend lawyer who was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to some charges in the case.
Fraud
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7th Circuit case highlights confusion over online home value ‘Zestimates’
The 7th Circuit both rejected proposed class action lawsuit against the website Zillow, but Realtors and real estate attorneys still have concerns about whether its “Zestimates” are unnecessarily misleading. Zillow, however, insists its estimation practices are transparent and legal, thus making their home valuations a beneficial tool for buyers and sellers.
Suspended attorney to serve 6 months for bankruptcy fraud, embezzlement
A suspended Fort Wayne attorney will serve six months in jail and has been ordered to pay nearly $240,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax fraud charges stemming from personal and client bankruptcy proceedings.
Founders, employees of Westfield financial firm accused of $10M fraud
The founders and three other former officers and employees of Westfield-based Banc-serv Partners LLP have been indicted in connection with what federal prosecutors describe as a 13-year-long conspiracy to defraud the Small Business Administration.
Police question authenticity of Indy-based nonprofit’s fundraising
Police departments in at least four states have raised concerns about an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, alleging the group conducts fundraising scams targeting vulnerable people under the guise of raising money for law enforcement. Multiple police agencies have issued scam alerts about letters sent by the National Police Association, which is run by Eddie Hutchison, who works for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office as a fraud investigator.
Lawyers help vulnerable man overcome exploitation
Looking down at a page filled with words he couldn’t comprehend, Paul Mason was urged to sign on the dotted line. He had no idea he was signing away life as he knew it.
Anderson man gets probation in Indiana voter registration fraud case
A central Indiana man has been sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to 30 misdemeanor counts of voter registration fraud stemming from allegations before the 2018 primary election. Datwaon Collier of Anderson entered the pleas Friday in Madison Circuit Court Division 6 in an agreement with Madison County prosecutors.
‘Full House’ star to surrender in college admissions scandal
Fallout from a sweeping college admissions scandal swiftly spread Wednesday, with a Silicon Valley hedge fund replacing its leader and “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin expected to surrender and appear in court in Los Angeles.
Manafort gets 47 months; Trump feels ‘very badly’ for ex-campaign chair
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, much less than what was called for under federal sentencing guidelines.
Ex-Trump campaign boss Manafort to be sentenced in tax fraud
When former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is sentenced for tax and bank fraud , U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III will likely issue the same lecture he gives to drug dealers and bank robbers.
Indiana leads 20-state coalition’s whistleblower brief
A scheme to award a multi-million-dollar no-bid subcontract to provide security in Iraq during the cleanup of munitions has put the spotlight on the federal False Claims Act and raised concerns among states, including Indiana, that a narrower interpretation of the long-standing statute could impact their ability to recover in whistleblower complaints.
IU McKinney students conduct research in Russian hacker’s extradition case
While the United States struggled to gain the upper hand in an extradition battle over a Russian cybercriminal accused of stealing more than $28 million in a bank fraud ring, a group of Indiana law students were busy working on research for his case.
Fertility fraud bill creating felony moves to House
Indiana doctors could face felony deception charges under legislation that follows the case in which a fertility doctor used his own sperm to impregnate perhaps dozens of women.
7th Circuit reverses decertification of used car dealer class
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court’s decision decertifying a class in a used auto dealership’s case when it found the stark change of mind lacked sufficient reasoning.
Former powerhouse investment broker Buck sentenced to more than 3 years in prison
A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced former powerhouse Merrill Lynch broker Thomas Buck to three years and four months in prison.
Medicaid thief loses appeal of ‘vulnerable victim’ convictions
A woman who defrauded a technology illiterate physician out of more than $80,000 lost her appeal Thursday when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the woman took advantage of the doctor’s "remarkable" computer illiteracy for personal financial gain.
Convicted ex-ASC chief Burkhart loses bid to stay civil lawsuit
The former CEO of a nursing home company now serving prison time for his major role in a corporate fraud scheme has lost his bid to stay additional civil proceedings against him while he fights to have his convictions tossed on the basis of an alleged “profound conflict of interest” on the part of Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg.
Elwood school chief quits after insurance fraud
A central Indiana school superintendent has resigned after being charged with using her insurance to help a sick student receive treatment. Casey Smitherman was charged Jan. 15 with insurance fraud, identity deception and official misconduct and resigned from her post as leader of Elwood Community Schools on Friday.
Former car dealer ordered to pay $140K for deceptive acts
The former owner of a Mishawaka used car dealership has been ordered to pay about $140,000 for alleged deception, including failing to deliver vehicle titles to customers.
Hendricks Judge Freese faces discipline charges
A Hendricks County judge and former leader of the Indiana Judges Association is facing disciplinary charges stemming from allegations that he appointed a friend as trustee of an estate case, then failed to take prompt action upon learning that the man was not fulfilling his duties and was possibly stealing from the trust.