U.S. courts seek comments on sexual misconduct in judiciary
Current and former federal judiciary law clerks and other employees can now voice their opinions about sexual misconduct and other inappropriate conduct in the U.S. Courts.
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Articles
Lawsuit: Trump’s ending immigrant program racially motivated
Haitian and Salvadoran immigrants sued President Donald Trump on Thursday, arguing that the Republican administration’s decision to end special protections shielding them from deportation was racially motivated.
Indiana town paying $150K to settle sex harassment claim
The northwestern Indiana town of St. John has agreed to pay a former police dispatcher $150,000 to settle her sexual harassment claim against a former police official and town councilman.
Court rules for Amazon worker denied long-term disability
An insurance company’s denial of a long-term disability claim has been remanded by Jane Magnus-Stinson, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for Southern District of Indiana, who called the rejection “unreasonable.”
Special counsel files new charge in Russia probe
The special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election charged an attorney Tuesday with lying to federal investigators about his interactions with a former Trump campaign official.
Bookkeeper pleads guilty to defrauding employer of over $315,000
An Indianapolis woman has agreed to plead guilty to fraud in what prosecutors say was a scheme that over two years nearly bankrupted her employer. The plea was announced Friday by U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler of the Southern District of Indiana, who said Erica Howard, 30, siphoned funds from a family-owned construction company in Franklin.
7th Circuit hears challenge to ‘discriminatory’ abortion ban
A challenge to Indiana’s oft-disputed abortion laws went before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, with the state and ACLU of Indiana once again squaring off on what limits, if any, the state can place on a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy.
Former youth pastor indicted on child exploitation, pornography charges
Federal sex crime charges have been filed against a former youth minister at an Indianapolis church.
Lawyer warned again about criticizing magistrate judge
A lawyer’s arguments on behalf of a client suing Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act has drawn a second written warning for his claims that a magistrate judge is biased.
Judge in Manafort case chides lawyers over sealed filings
The judge presiding over the criminal prosecutions of two of the men charged in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation chided lawyers Wednesday for the number of sealed filings they’ve made and said she was determined to set a trial date soon to keep the case moving forward.
Judge ends ‘Tiger Baby Playtime’, halts cub declawing
A federal judge Monday shut down a southern Indiana attraction’s public encounters with tiger cubs. The judge also halted the declawing of tiger cubs and separating them from their mothers so they could be used in “Tiger Baby Playtime” events where people pay to mingle with declawed big cat cubs.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of Mexican complaints against Indiana company
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of a Mexican company’s fraud claims against an Indiana-based Fortune 500 company, finding the Mexican entity failed to allege the company, rather than its Mexican subsidiary, committed any wrongs.
ACLU: Indiana prison violated blind inmate’s rights
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Indiana Department of Correction, alleging that prison officials are discriminating against a blind former inmate by refusing to let him participate in a literacy program to get his sentence reduced.
Indiana-born judge Trump taunted to rule on border wall
An Indiana-born federal judge, whose Mexican heritage Donald Trump used to paint him as biased against him in a 2016 court case because of his immigration stance, will hear arguments in a lawsuit that could block construction of a border wall with Mexico.
Sweeney nomination sails through Judiciary Committee
The nomination of James Sweeney II to the Southern Indiana District Court brought bipartisan unity Thursday to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary that was divided over other nominees to the federal bench.
Judge orders ex-CEO to pay nearly $850K in SEC farm loan case
A former finance company chief who a court noted had a history of securities law violations has been ordered to pay almost $850,000 in connection with the sale of allegedly shady securities based on farm loans.
Fogle’s errant filing: Being mom to teen girls makes judge biased
Disgraced Subway pitchman Jared Fogle has moved for District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt’s recusal from his child pornography case, alleging the fact that she has teenage daughters creates a bias against him. A major problem with his argument: Pratt has no teenage daughters.
Lawyers for Mueller case defendant ask to withdraw
Lawyers for one of the four people charged in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation have asked to withdraw from the case. Attorneys for Rick Gates say in a newly unsealed motion that "irreconcilable differences have developed with the client which make our effective representation of the client impossible."
7th Circuit reverses, orders special needs trust group to pay estate
The estate of a woman whose special needs trust was drained under questionable circumstances prevailed Wednesday before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The founder of the organization that took the money is a suspended Indiana attorney facing charges that he stole from other clients’ trusts. The organization must now repay the estate more than $200,000.
Suit from truck driver shot by Merrillville police proceeds
The town of Merrillville and one of its police officers lost their bid for summary judgment on a truck driver’s excessive force claim after a district court judge determined questions of fact exist as to whether the officer was justified in shooting the driver during an altercation.