Gary woman admits to taking late father’s benefits, pleads guilty to mail fraud
A northwest Indiana woman has admitted that she cashed her late father’s government disability checks and pocketed the money for 10 years after his death.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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Northern District courtroom named in Judge William C. Lee’s honor
In recognition of Judge William Lee’s 40 years of service on the federal bench, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana has named a courtroom in his honor.
7th Circuit: Uber personal injury accident case properly dismissed for untimely summons
The Indiana Northern District Court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing an Indiana man’s personal injury case stemming from an Uber accident after he failed to timely serve the summons and complaint on the defendants, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
Purdue wins judgment on wage discrimination claims but allegations of FMLA, FSLA violations can proceed
Purdue University and a group of its employees have secured victory on a terminated worker’s wage discrimination claims. However, the former employee’s claims alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act by her Purdue supervisors can proceed.
Judge OKs settlement with US Steel over 2017 Indiana spill
A federal judge has approved a revised settlement with U.S. Steel, more than four years after one of the steelmaker’s Indiana plants discharged wastewater containing a potentially carcinogenic chemical into a Lake Michigan tributary.
Federal courts impose new COVID-19 restrictions amid surge
Just as in-person hearings and trials resumed at courthouses around the country, a surge of coronavirus cases sparked by the delta variant has prompted some federal courts to impose new restrictions and requirements for mask-wearing and vaccinations.
7th Circuit affirms former Goshen factory not posing danger to residents
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a federal judge’s ruling that a former factory in Goshen is not posing any ongoing dangers to the health of residents in the area.
NW Indiana businessman gets 54 months in embezzlement scheme
A northwest Indiana businessman who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $300,000 from two medical companies has been sentenced to 4½ years in prison.
7th Circuit upholds ruling for manufacturer in repair dispute over soiled RV
A retired couple who did not give the manufacturer of an issue-ridden recreational vehicle a sufficient opportunity to repair a leaking sewage tank cannot succeed in its case against the manufacturer, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
7th Circuit upholds search warrant that contained false information
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the Northern Indiana District Court that a federal agent’s explanations were plausible and he was “at worst, negligent…” when he obtained a search warrant by telling a magistrate judge a controlled delivery of drugs would be made and then told the magistrate judge the illegal drugs had been recovered even though no drugs had ever been delivered or retrieved.
7th Circuit dismisses as moot state’s appeal of habeas relief in Elkhart murder case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed as moot Indiana’s appeal of a conditional writ of habeas corpus for a man convicted of murder as a teenager, finding that state-court vacatur of the conviction ended the appellate court’s jurisdiction over the petition.
Man sentenced to life not denied effective counsel, 7th Circuit holds
A man sentenced to life for sexually abusing two children could not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that his attorney was ineffective while representing him.
Southern, Northern District Courts reinstate mask, social distancing mandates despite vaccination status
Just two months after lifting the requirement, the Southern Indiana District Court is imposing restrictions mandating all individuals must again wear masks and social distance in public spaces in the district’s courthouses, regardless of their vaccination status, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt announced in a Monday order.
IU students standing behind opposition to vaccine mandate; injunction ruling could come soon
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals could soon decide whether to enjoin Indiana University’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate as the students challenging the mandate continue to argue it’s unconstitutional.
IU opposing 7th Circuit injunction against vaccine mandate
Indiana University is continuing to defend its COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a group of students challenge that mandate in a federal appeals court.
7th Circuit revives case against Indiana nursing home, finding federal law allows for private right of action
In considering the plight of a northern Indiana man whose health worsened when he was a resident of Valparaiso Care and Rehabilitation, a state-run nursing facility, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has aligned with the 3rd and 9th Circuits in finding patients can enforce the rights offered under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
IU students ask 7th Circuit to enjoin vaccine mandate pending appeal
A group of Indiana University students challenging the school’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate is asking the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay enforcement of the mandate after failing in their bid for relief from a lower court.
7th Circuit rules for masonry workers in employee benefit plan dispute
Does the priority limitation found in the Bankruptcy Code apply to every fund that seeks unpaid contributions? The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with more than a dozen masonry workers in answering that question in a Monday decision.
Federal judiciary seeks $1.5B for security, IT, construction upgrades, including Fort Wayne courthouse
The United States federal judiciary is requesting more than $1.5 billion to support courthouse security, information technology and courthouse construction projects, including funding to upgrade the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana’s Fort Wayne location.
Indiana RV manufacturer prevails in breach of warranty suit brought by frustrated customer
A peaceful retirement on the road wasn’t meant to be for a man whose experience with a recreational vehicle made by an Indiana company went flat following dozens of unresolved defects. But the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the RV’s manufacturer, finding no issue with an instruction given to a jury in a suit against the RV maker.