Fraud - The Indiana Lawyer

Jailed Fort Wayne attorney gets interim suspension for embezzlement convictions

June 24, 2019

A Fort Wayne attorney currently serving a six-month embezzlement sentence in federal prison has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana effective immediately following his felony convictions. The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order of interim suspension against Randall B. Stiles, who was sentenced in March to six months behind bars for two counts of felony bankruptcy fraud and one count of misdemeanor failure to file a tax return.

Legislative Council approves 2019 interim committees

May 31, 2019

Study committees for the 2019 interim period have been approved by Indiana’s Legislative Council and will address dozens of issues for review in the coming months, including several legal-focused topics.

4 from Indiana sentenced in $125,000 veteran funds fraud

May 31, 2019

Four southern Indiana residents have been sentenced after authorities say they pocketed more than $125,000 through fundraisers touted as benefiting veterans and their families. Federal prosecutors say James Linville was sentenced this week to 5 years in prison; Joanie Watson was sentenced to 3½ years, and; Thomas Johnson and Amy Bennett were sentenced to 3 years.

Restitution affirmed in Vigo school district kickback scheme

May 30, 2019

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a restitution calculation in the case of a former Vigo County School Corporation employee who received a share of more than $110,000 in kickbacks after steering government contracts to a favored bidder.

Indiana files opioid suit against Purdue Pharma, Sackler family

May 22, 2019

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday announced a lawsuit against several owners and directors of pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, alleging those members of the Sackler family have played a key role in contributing to Indiana’s opioid epidemic.

Indy towing operator charged with defrauding car owners in massive scheme

May 20, 2019

The owner of an Indianapolis towing company has been indicted for running what prosecutors describe as a “title-washing scheme,” in which he targeted financially distressed car owners, took possession of their vehicles, charged huge towing and storage fees and then resold them.

Jury convicts man of bilking employer out of more than $2M

May 16, 2019

A federal jury in South Bend convicted a northern Indiana man of charges that he bilked his employer out of more than $2 million.

Chinese national indicted in connection with Anthem’s massive data breach

May 10, 2019

A federal grand jury in Indianapolis has indicted a Chinese national in connection with the massive computer hacking of health insurer Anthem Inc. in 2015 that compromised the private information of 78.8 million customers and former customers.

Lawyer in alleged investment scheme enters another plea

May 9, 2019

A suspended lawyer who formerly worked in northern Indiana and was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to another charge in the case.

Indiana gets $159K from Sephora tax fraud settlement

May 8, 2019

International beauty supply chain Sephora USA Inc. has paid Indiana a settlement to end a fraud lawsuit filed against it, Attorney General Curtis Hill’s office announced.

Are additional Celadon execs in prosecutors’ sights?

May 7, 2019

Federal prosecutors in late April accused the Indianapolis-based trucking company Celadon Group Inc. of engineering a sweeping accounting fraud that hid losses in the tens of millions of dollars, and they announced a felony charge against one of the company’s former executives. But if the fraud was so sweeping, why did prosecutors charge just one person and spare other former top executives (at least so far)?

Celadon ordered to pay $42 million after admitting securities fraud

April 26, 2019

Indianapolis-based trucking company Celadon Group Inc. has agreed to pay $42.2 million in restitution to settle securities fraud charges announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the settlement, the company acknowledged “filing materially false and misleading statements to investors and falsifying books, records and accounts,” federal prosecutors said.

Local auto group hit with class-action suit over document fee

April 17, 2019

A class-action lawsuit filed last week against Andy Mohr Automotive Group alleges the Indiana company violated a state law prohibiting deceptive consumer sales tactics.

Car-dealer promoter sued over allegedly deceptive mailers

April 10, 2019

Hoosiers were lured by the chance for prizes such as a 70-inch high-definition television, $1,000 in cash or a vacation package, according to a lawsuit filed by the Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s office. But what they actually received were low-value items like an MP3 player that had been purchased for $2.25, or a mail-in rebate coupon for $10 off the purchase of a turkey.

Lawmakers back felony charge if fertility doctors misuse sperm

April 9, 2019

A woman who was among numerous patients unknowingly impregnated by their Indiana fertility doctor’s own sperm said she’s pleased with state lawmakers backing a proposal that would make such actions a felony.

Lawyer charged with defrauding elderly pleads guilty

April 5, 2019

A former South Bend lawyer who was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to some charges in the case.

7th Circuit case highlights confusion over online home value ‘Zestimates’

April 2, 2019

The 7th Circuit both rejected proposed class action lawsuit against the website Zillow, but Realtors and real estate attorneys still have concerns about whether its “Zestimates” are unnecessarily misleading. Zillow, however, insists its estimation practices are transparent and legal, thus making their home valuations a beneficial tool for buyers and sellers.

Suspended attorney to serve 6 months for bankruptcy fraud, embezzlement

March 26, 2019

A suspended Fort Wayne attorney will serve six months in jail and has been ordered to pay nearly $240,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax fraud charges stemming from personal and client bankruptcy proceedings.

Founders, employees of Westfield financial firm accused of $10M fraud

March 26, 2019

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.

Police question authenticity of Indy-based nonprofit’s fundraising

March 19, 2019

Police departments in at least four states have raised concerns about an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, alleging the group conducts fundraising scams targeting vulnerable people under the guise of raising money for law enforcement. Multiple police agencies have issued scam alerts about letters sent by the National Police Association, which is run by Eddie Hutchison, who works for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office as a fraud investigator.

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