Articles

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

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.

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Police question authenticity of Indy-based nonprofit’s fundraising

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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Anderson man gets probation in Indiana voter registration fraud case

A central Indiana man has been sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to 30 misdemeanor counts of voter registration fraud stemming from allegations before the 2018 primary election. Datwaon Collier of Anderson entered the pleas Friday in Madison Circuit Court Division 6 in an agreement with Madison County prosecutors.

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Indiana leads 20-state coalition’s whistleblower brief

A scheme to award a multi-million-dollar no-bid subcontract to provide security in Iraq during the cleanup of munitions has put the spotlight on the federal False Claims Act and raised concerns among states, including Indiana, that a narrower interpretation of the long-standing statute could impact their ability to recover in whistleblower complaints.

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Convicted ex-ASC chief Burkhart loses bid to stay civil lawsuit

The former CEO of a nursing home company now serving prison time for his major role in a corporate fraud scheme has lost his bid to stay additional civil proceedings against him while he fights to have his convictions tossed on the basis of an alleged “profound conflict of interest” on the part of Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg.

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Elwood school chief quits after insurance fraud

A central Indiana school superintendent has resigned after being charged with using her insurance to help a sick student receive treatment. Casey Smitherman was charged Jan. 15 with insurance fraud, identity deception and official misconduct and resigned from her post as leader of Elwood Community Schools on Friday.

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