Jury convicts Gary man in bank robbery where guard was slain
A federal jury has convicted a Gary man of armed robbery and a weapons charge in the slaying of a bank security guard last year, prosecutors said Thursday.
Judge Philip P. Simon
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Despite tech, court reporters say they’re here to stay
Even as digital recording is grows, charged sentiment surrounds the use of artificial intelligence in court reporting, industry experts say. According to some, there’s a middle ground to be found: embracing technology to increase efficiency while also relying on humans for nuance.
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7th Circuit affirms gang member’s convictions, sentence for ‘war zone’ shootout
A northern Indiana gang member involved in a drug robbery-turned-shootout that resulted in a murder will not have his convictions overturned or sentenced reduced on federal appeal.
School district, psychologist win partial motions to dismiss in special ed discrimination suit
A northern Indiana school district and its contract psychologist have secured partial victories in a lawsuit brought by the mother of a child with special needs who alleged her child was not given proper educational services.
Judge: BP’s Whiting refinery violated soot emission limits
A BP refinery in northwestern Indiana repeatedly violated air pollution standards for soot emissions between 2015 and 2018, a federal judge ruled in a lawsuit brought by environmental advocates.
Maley: Senior status for Springmann, Flaum creates vacancies
Rules governing divisional jurisdiction vary in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, as illustrated by some recent rulings.
Suspended attorney sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for tax evasion
A former Schererville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney who pleaded guilty to tax evasion has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The attorney, who was suspended from the practice of law last year, also was ordered to make restitution of more than $1.7 million.
Indiana woman gets 6½ years for financing terrorism
An Indiana woman who pleaded guilty to providing financial support to the Islamic State group has been sentenced to 6½ years in prison, the Justice Department said Monday.
Purdue faces second student lawsuit seeking refunds due to COVID-19
Purdue University faces a second proposed class-action lawsuit filed by a student who says he and others are owed refunds for tuition and fees paid for in-person classes and activities that transitioned to remote education when campuses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judge calls Notre Dame’s third try at avoiding contraceptive mandate ‘absurd’
At times describing the defendants’ argument as bordering “on the absurd” and noting the policies are already causing injury, the Northern District of Indiana has blocked another attempt by the University of Notre Dame and federal agencies to limit women students’ access to contraceptives.
7th Circuit affirms $35 million verdict for Hoosier woman in pelvic implant lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon Inc. did not persuade the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a multi-million-dollar verdict for a northern Indiana woman who was injured by a transvaginal mesh implant produced by the company.
Fired Elkhart city attorney fails to overcome appointee determination
A former Elkhart city attorney who was told she was being fired because the new mayor wanted “to hire my own guy” could not overcome the precedent the Northern Indiana District Court used to determine she was an appointed policymaker and therefore not covered by federal protections.
Federal court ruling continues religious broadcaster’s family feud
Two “warring cousins” who each claim to be the rightful heir to the South Bend-based LeSEA Christian broadcasting network will continue to slug it out after a federal judge largely denied one cousin’s motion to dismiss.
15-month prison term for Porter Co. cop who stole from police group
The former treasurer of a Valparaiso police organization has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing nearly $190,000. Lawrence LaFlower told a federal judge Monday that “everything revolved around gambling,” which is why he began embezzling money from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 165 in Valparaiso.
Scrap dealer’s request to dismiss Hammond bridge theft charge denied
A federal judge has denied a northwestern Indiana scrap metal dealer’s request to dismiss charges for allegedly demolishing a historic Hammond railroad bridge and selling the metal for $18,000. Kenneth Morrison argued the grand jury didn’t get an accurate picture of whether the city of Hammond or the railroad company owned the Monon Bridge, but Judge Philip Simon said prosecutors only have to prove Morrison had no claim to the scrap metal.
Supplier that ‘ghosted’ hotel ordered to pay nearly $300K
A lighting supplier that failed to deliver almost $100,000 worth of fixtures for a South Bend hotel renovation — then failed to respond to a resulting breach of contract lawsuit — has been ordered to pay treble damages and fees approaching $300,000.
South Bend must pay ex-female officer $80K in retaliation case
A federal judge has ordered a city in Indiana to pay more than $80,000 to a former female police officer who alleged the department illegally retaliated against her for accusing a male supervisor of sexual harassment.
Federal judge certifies class-action suit against jail
A federal judge has certified a class-action suit against the Lake County sheriff and others brought by a group of pretrial
detainees who were held in the county jail in conditions they claim were unconstitutional.
Civil penalty claim against BP to move forward
A U.S. District judge in Hammond has dismissed two counts against gas company BP Products North America, finding he has jurisdiction to hear the claims but deciding not to do so because of similar action ongoing elsewhere.
President nominates federal judge for 7th Circuit
President George W. Bush has nominated U.S. District Judge Philip P. Simon to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.
Former Schererville judge sentenced
A former judge in Lake County received a 15-month federal prison sentence on Thursday, four years after being indicted for
extortion and fraud, and two years after she pleaded guilty to getting kickbacks from more than 1,000 defendants that she'd
sentenced to driving school and counseling classes she secretly owned and personally profited from.