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.
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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.
Elwood schools chief used own insurance for sick student
A Madison County school superintendent is free on bail after surrendering to police to face charges alleging she used her insurance to help a sick student receive treatment.
Walgreens agrees to pay government $269M in fraud settlement
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. agreed to pay $269.2 million to settle U.S. claims that the drugstore chain defrauded a federally funded health care program over insulin drugs and a consumer-discount initiative.
Legislative panel deletes making fertility fraud criminal
Some men and women whose mothers were unkowningly impregnated by their fertility doctor’s own sperm are upset that an Indiana legislative panel isn’t endorsing a proposed state law specifically against such actions.
Ex-Gary city employee convicted in scheme to resell electronics
A former government employee in northwestern Indiana has been convicted in a scheme to use funds from the City of Gary to buy more than 1,000 pieces of computer equipment that she then resold.
South Bend attorney wanted for mail fraud arrested in Florida
An Indiana attorney wanted on several charges of mail fraud against elderly victims he allegedly exploited as part of an investment scheme has been arrested after federal authorities found him in Florida, according to the FBI.
Hoosier students freed from school debt in multistate settlement
More than 195,000 students will not have to pay their school debt after a national settlement agreement between Career Education Corporation and 49 states, including Indiana.
US: Thousands victimized in organic grain fraud scheme
Federal prosecutors say thousands of individuals and businesses were victims of a large-scale scheme in which ordinary corn and soybeans were fraudulently marketed nationwide as “certified organic.”
Prosecutors concede 3 Buncich convictions should be vacated
Federal prosecutors concede there wasn’t enough evidence to convict former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich on three of the five wire fraud counts he was found guilty of and he should be resentenced. Prosecutors say they failed to introduce sufficient evidence of “Federal reserve payroll fund” transfers alleged in three counts of the indictment against Buncich and “the Court should vacate Buncich’s convictions on those counts.”
Indiana attorney charged with mail fraud still at large
Federal authorities are still searching for a former South Bend attorney who faces several charges of mail fraud stemming from his alleged involvement in an investment scheme that exploited elderly victims.
Indiana lawyer charged with fraud in alleged investment scheme
A lawyer who formerly worked in northern Indiana and already was ordered to repay more than $2.5 million to clients now is facing criminal charges. Federal prosecutors say 61-year-old Sven Eric Marshall, formerly of South Bend, is facing five counts of mail fraud for allegedly running an “elder abuse scam” through an investment company named Trust & Advisory Services of Indiana Inc.
Convicted forger, ID thief loses appeal of suit against victims
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment to several relatives and the landlord of man convicted of stealing and frequently using his parents' financial accounts and personal items to fund his gambling. The COA found the relatives were entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
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.