Supreme Court rules SEC can recoup money in fraud cases
The Supreme Court on Monday preserved an important tool used by securities regulators to recoup ill-gotten gains in fraud cases.
Wire Fraud
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Feds seek $225M fine for pair who made a billion robocalls
The U.S. communications regulator on Tuesday proposed a $225 million fine, its largest ever, against two health insurance telemarketers for spamming people with 1 billion robocalls using fake phone numbers.
Unanimous US Supreme Court throws out ‘Bridgegate’ convictions
A unanimous United States Supreme Court on Thursday threw out the convictions of two political insiders involved in the “Bridgegate” scandal that ultimately derailed the 2016 presidential bid of then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The justices found evidence of deception, corruption and abuse of power in the scheme, but said “not every corrupt act by state or local officials is a federal crime.”
Fair Finance bankruptcy trustee loses high-stakes jury trial against deep-pocketed lender
The bankruptcy trustee seeking to recover millions of dollars for victims of Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham’s Ponzi scheme has come up empty in a nearly decade-long lawsuit against a deep-pocketed lender he alleged was culpable in the fraud.
Carmel man indicted on 28 fraud charges related to scheme using PayPal, eBay
A Carmel man has been indicted on 28 federal offenses including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, credit card fraud and money laundering related to fraudulent PayPal and eBay accounts, Southern Indiana District U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced Friday.
Indiana casino approval delayed while state probes former Centaur execs
The Indiana Gaming Commission confirmed Friday that it is postponing approval of a new Indiana casino while it investigates allegations that top executives at former Indianapolis racino business Centaur Gaming were involved in directing illegal campaign contributions to an Indiana congressional candidate in 2015.
Feds say local gaming company conspired with GOP strategist to make illegal contributions
A Republican strategist who worked for an Annapolis, Maryland-based consulting firm has admitted to taking part in a scheme to funnel corporate contributions to political candidates — including former Indiana Sen. Brent Waltz when he ran for U.S. Congress in 2016 — in a case that is part of a federal crackdown on fraudulent political action committees.
Former Carmel insurance firm employee charged with embezzling $2.1M
A former employee of Carmel-based Seven Corners Inc. has been indicted on a wire fraud charge for what prosecutors describe as a multiyear scheme that embezzled $2.1 million from the travel insurance company.
Former employee pleads guilty in $4.5M Cummins fraud case
A former employee accused of defrauding Indiana-based Cummins Inc. and other companies out of more than $4.5 million has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Prosecutors: Deeply-in-debt Michael Avenatti sought payday
Prosecutors say high-profile California attorney Michael Avenatti was over $15 million in debt when he tried to extort up to $25 million from Nike, while Avenatti’s lawyers say the money he legally requested to conduct an internal probe of the sportswear giant was a bargain. Both sides made the assertions in court papers filed late Tuesday in advance of a Jan. 22 criminal trial in Manhattan.
Muncie mayor’s trial on federal charges delayed until May
A central Indiana mayor’s federal trial on charges of accepting a bribe has been pushed back for several months. Defense attorneys for Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler requested the delay on the trial that had been scheduled to start Jan. 21.
Former ‘America’s Most Wanted’ suspect can’t sue Mexican prison in US
A former fugitive arrested in Mexico after his case alleging a scheme to defraud the US military was profiled on the former Fox Network television series “America’s Most Wanted” cannot sue authorities at a Mexican prison where he claims he was tortured.
UPDATE: Former Celadon COO, CFO indicted on multiple fraud charges
The former chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Indianapolis-based trucking firm Celadon Group Inc. have been indicted for their alleged roles in what the U.S. Department of Justice describes as a “complex securities and accounting fraud scheme that resulted in a loss of more than $60 million in shareholder value.”
Fraudster Durham wins hearing on whether lawyer’s $1M fee created conflict
Fair Finance fraud felon Tim Durham will get a chance to grill his former trial attorney over whether his $1 million wire fraud defense representation fee created a conflict of interest between money the lawyer could pocket versus paying for witnesses Durham claims could have testified in his favor. A federal judge recently granted a new hearing on that and other grounds as Durham seeks to chisel away at his 50-year prison sentence.
Justices to consider key SEC tool in securities fraud
The Supreme Court will consider taking away an important tool that federal securities regulators used last year to recoup $2.5 billion in ill-gotten gains in fraud cases.
Purdue prof, wife plead guilty in research fund scheme
A Purdue University professor and his wife have pleaded guilty to using more that $1 million in federal research funds for their own personal expenses.
Carmel-based fraternity foundation official accused of embezzling $450K
The former financial coordinator of a charitable foundation operated by Carmel-based women’s fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha has been charged in federal court with eight counts of wire fraud, accused of embezzling about $450,000 from the organization.
Former Indianapolis payroll exec pleads guilty in $9.4M fraud scheme
An Indianapolis man who operated a downtown payroll services business pleaded guilty to federal charges Friday after admitting to conducting a fraud scheme that cost his clients and the Internal Revenue Service more than $9.4 million, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Court tosses ex-Fishers executive’s wire fraud appeal
A man who pleaded guilty to fraudulently wiring money from his Fishers employer to his personal bank account couldn’t convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that his circumstances presented a due process exception to the rule that most written appeal waivers are effective.
Southern District warns of scam using court’s telephone number
Federal court officials in Indianapolis are warning that scammers are using the court’s main phone number to scam and intimidate people.