COA upholds $9 million judgment for man injured in crash
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a $9 million verdict in favor of a man injured in a motorcycle crash after determining a proffered jury instruction on damages was not erroneous.
Lake County
Articles
Despite ‘tenuous’ 36-year charging delay, murder trial proceeds
While the Indiana Court of Appeals found the state’s reasons “tenuous at best” for a 36-year delay in charges against a Lake County man accused of the murder of a Hammond police officer, the appellate court on Wednesday ordered the trial to proceed.
Defense seeks 4-year sentence for ex-Lake County sheriff
A defense attorney for the former sheriff of Indiana’s second most-populous county says federal prosecutors are seeking an “outrageous” prison sentence for his conviction on bribery and wire fraud charges.
At least 15-year sentence sought for ex-Lake County sheriff
Federal prosecutors are asking that the former sheriff of Indiana’s second most-populous county be sentenced to at least 15 years in prison for taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from towing businesses.
COA upholds bar’s partial liability for hit-and-run
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed judgments of liability against a Lake County bar accused of overserving a patron who drove a vehicle that struck another departing customer.
Court considering charges in 1980 police officer death
A state appeals court is considering whether to throw out the case against a northwestern Indiana man facing murder and other charges in connection with the 1980 shooting death of a police officer killed while working a private security job.
7th Circuit upholds denial of environmental insurance claim
A northern Indiana couple cannot seek insurance coverage for pre-existing environmental pollution they discovered on their businesses’ property because the language of their insurance policy unambiguously exempts coverage for known or unknown property damage occurring before their policy began, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Pre-trial hearing postponed for Hammond bombing suspect
A federal magistrate has postponed the pre-trial hearing of a northwestern Indiana man charged in a pipe bomb explosion at a post office.
Attorney facing theft charges resigns from bar
A Chicago-based lawyer with a practice in Gary has resigned from the Indiana bar as an ongoing criminal investigation against her continues.
Child welfare chief pens scathing resignation letter
The director of Indiana’s child welfare agency says she’s quitting because Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration has hurt her ability to protect children.
Gay inmate loses medical care, punitive segregation suit
A gay inmate who uses a man’s name but identifies as a woman has lost a summary judgment challenge in Indiana’s Northern District Court, where the inmate alleged she was intentionally assigned to medical segregation as a punitive measure.
Lake, Monroe counties, Bloomington join opioid lawsuit
Officials of two Indiana counties and one city are joining a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies and distributors for their alleged role in fueling the opioid abuse crisis.
COA overturns summary judgment in contract dispute
In the second appeal stemming from a cancelled contract between Lake County and a delinquent tax collector, the Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a grant of summary judgment in favor of the county based on its precedent from a previous 2015 decision.
Lawsuit: Gary’s ordinance violates ‘sanctuary city’ ban
An influential conservative lawyer is suing a northwestern Indiana city for allegedly violating the state’s ban on so-called sanctuary cities with its “welcoming city” ordinance approved earlier this year.
Lawyer sentenced to 2 years for wire fraud conviction
A disbarred Lake County lawyer convicted of wire fraud after he was accused of draining a receivership of more than $330,000 was sentenced to two years in federal prison Tuesday.
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.
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.
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.
Ex-Merrillville councilman admits guilt in bribery case
A former councilman for the town of Merrillville has admitted taking bribes in a federal plea agreement.