Fifty women say Salesforce helped traffickers exploit them
Fifty women who describe themselves as survivors of sex trafficking on the now-defunct Backpage.com web portal accuse Salesforce.com Inc. of profiting off each advertisement.
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Founders, employees of Westfield financial firm accused of $10M fraud
The founders and three other former officers and employees of Westfield-based Banc-serv Partners LLP have been indicted in connection with what federal prosecutors describe as a 13-year-long conspiracy to defraud the Small Business Administration.
Rent-to-buy contract argued before Indiana Supreme Court
A dispute that could have a far-reaching impact on the sizable rent-to-own housing market in the Hoosier state was presented to the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday morning with attorneys arguing over the nature of the rent-to-own contract.
COA to travel for three arguments next week
Three Appeals on Wheels oral arguments will be heard next week, involving wrongful termination of a hospital employee, suppression of evidence from a pat-down search and a hotel’s appeal of granted possession.
Easement allows surrounding properties access, COA rules
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court order determining that a mulch business could have access to an easement owned by a neighboring property, finding that the easement was for the benefit of all surrounding properties.
Charlestown residents challenging sale of water utility
A group of residents from Charlestown is challenging the sale of the local water utility to Indiana-American Water, a transaction that comes with a $13.4 million price tag. Charlestown officials say the sale will improve the local water quality in the long run while mitigating rate increases, but the challenging residents claim the opposite.
SCOTUS to determine when permits are necessary to pollute navigable waters
The US Supreme Court is reviewing a lower court ruling that seemingly expands the Clean Water Act. Under the 9th Circuit’s decision, any pollutant found in navigable water that is “fairly traceable” to a permittable discharge source is subject to permitting requirements, even if the source of the pollutant does not discharge directly into a navigable water.
Legislation aims to tame ‘Wild West’ nature of land contracts
A bill that passed through the Indiana House 82-14 and is now in the Senate would protect families from predatory land contracts. Provisions would require buyers be told the value of the property and how much they will ultimately pay for it if they complete the terms of the agreement, among other protections.
$50M HHGregg suit attacks insiders for accepting customer deposits to very end
A lawsuit quietly wending its way through a Marion County court zings former HHGregg CEO Bob Riesbeck and three other insiders of the failed chain, alleging they allowed it to continue accepting customers’ deposits on merchandise long after its tailspin cast doubt on whether it had the financial wherewithal or inventory to fulfill the orders.
Dialysis facility’s breach of contract claims pre-empted
A medical facility that provided regular, life-sustaining dialysis treatments lost its appeal seeking to recover more than $1.5 million from its patients’ benefit plans when the Indiana Court of Appeals found the facility’s claims were pre-empted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Giordano: Additional insured coverage — Get what you’re bargaining for
Many contracts require one party to name the other as an “additional insured,” but too often without specifying the scope of coverage required. This is problematic because coverage for additional insureds comes varied, and the parties may have different ideas of what coverage the contract requires.
Unpredictable storms: Attorneys link climate change to insurance policy changes
Indiana is having more headaches with water, as evidenced by multiple severe floods in recent years. Purdue climate researchers report that by the mid-century, Hoosiers could see about 6 percent to 8 percent more rainfall than the state averaged from 1971 to 2000. And that could leave many Hoosiers scrambling for adequate insurance.
Supreme Court deciding commercial courts’ fate
After a nearly 3-year pilot project, the specialized dockets in six Indiana counties are getting positive feedback from litigants in business disputes.
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.
Alcohol bills move to full House for consideration after changes
State lawmakers on Wednesday made changes to two major bills addressing alcohol issues before moving both pieces of legislation to the full House for consideration.
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.
Nexlink must face fired worker’s sex harassment retaliation claim
Nexlink, a “solutions provider” for AT&T, has lost its bid for summary judgment and must face a former employee’s claims that she was terminated in fired for filing a sexual harassment complaint against a former supervisor when she previously worked at AT&T.
Tax Court affirms reduced Jeffersonville Meijer assessment
The Clark County assessor has lost her appeal of a determination that lowered the assessed value of a Jeffersonville Meijer store when the Indiana Tax Court found she failed to prove the decision was contrary to law, unsupported by substantial evidence, or was an abuse of discretion.
COA: Stolen used tires of value; theft conviction affirmed
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a woman’s conviction for stealing used tires from an Avon auto dealership when it found the tires were of value because they presented a liability to the dealership if used without authorization.
Senator decides to send child labor law bill to summer committee
A state senator accused of having a conflict of interest over a bill he filed that seeks to eliminate the state’s child labor laws has essentially withdrawn the proposal from consideration this year.