State lawmaker accused of defamation, slander
A former candidate for Marion County Sheriff is accusing a state lawmaker of defamation and slander for comments the legislator made in a committee hearing earlier this year.
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Federal court blocks Indiana law banning smokable hemp
Indiana’s law criminalizing smokable hemp has been snuffed out, at least temporarily, by a federal court, which found the proponents of hemp made convincing arguments that the federal farm bill of 2018, expanding the definition of hemp and removing the plant from the federal schedule of controlled substances, pre-empted the state statute.
Pittsboro must pay officer more than $70K after wiretapping verdict
A Pittsboro law enforcement officer who won a $15,000 damages award on a claim that police officials were illegally recording his conversations has also been awarded more than $70,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
Indiana joins states seeking to settle with Purdue Pharma
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is among the 29 attorneys general across the country backing a proposed settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, calling the agreement a “significant breakthrough in our important fight against the opioid crisis.”
Maxim party host that sued IMS, then lost $75K in countersuit, loses appeal
A federal appeals court upheld a jury’s award of $75,000 to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a breach of contract lawsuit brought by an event-planning company that had sued IMS due to poor ticket sales at a party marking the 100th running of the Indy 500.
Web Exclusive: Hoosiers impacted by vaping health concerns
As health concerns linked to vaping continue to grow, a Carmel teen has joined the slew of vapers nationwide who are suing the country’s most popular e-cigarette giant, Juul Labs.
Reversal: Utility must face suit in stoplight outage crash
Negligence claims brought against Indianapolis Power & Light after an auto accident caused by inoperable traffic lights will continue after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a ruling granting the power company judgment on the pleadings.
School district sues Indiana over building transfer for $1
West Lafayette Community School Corp. is suing the state to protect a vacant elementary school building from being sold or leased to a charter school for $1. Charter schools can lease or buy the building for $1 if a school building is unused for two years. But the Department of Education must know beforehand, according to a 2011 law.
Allen County sheriff could face suit over festival altercation
A northeastern Indiana sheriff charged in an altercation with a teenage boy could face a civil lawsuit from the youth’s family. Brad and Erin Bullerman filed a tort claim in August against Allen County Sheriff David Gladieux, alleging unlawful and excessive force.
DCS seeks to keep records sealed in class-action care suit
Lawyers for Indiana’s Department of Child Services are pushing to seal records in a federal class action lawsuit accusing the child welfare agency of inadequately protecting thousands of children in its care.
Judge tosses shareholder suit in Vectren merger
A federal judge has turned away a shareholder lawsuit over a major Indiana utility’s 2018 merger with a Texas-based public utility holding company, using a back-to-school analogy to reason his dismissal of the litigation.
Despite state’s ‘negligence or malice,’ court denies ballot-access injunction
An Indianapolis resident who wanted to add his name to the November mayoral ballot cannot do so now that a federal judge has upheld a finding by the Marion County Election Board that the would-be candidate failed to acquire enough legitimate voter signatures. However, the court also raised concerns about language on a candidate form that could make it “more difficult for voters to support independent candidates,” yet found the language was not enough of a burden to overrule the board’s decision.
Justices split, vacate transfer in class action against car dealership
A divided Indiana Supreme Court decided not to take an appeal after originally granting transfer to a class action brought by angry customers against a Northern Indiana car dealership.
Fired Elkhart city attorney fails to overcome appointee determination
A former Elkhart city attorney who was told she was being fired because the new mayor wanted “to hire my own guy” could not overcome the precedent the Northern Indiana District Court used to determine she was an appointed policymaker and therefore not covered by federal protections.
Judge to rule on unsealing redacted Equifax complaint
An Indianapolis judge is deciding whether information in a complaint alleging Equifax could have, but failed to, prevent one of the largest cybersecurity breaches in United States history must be unsealed and made accessible to the public.
Family sues IMPD officer accused of striking boy, 17
The family of a 17-year-old Indianapolis boy who was punched by a police officer outside a school last week is suing the officer.
Judge rules Carmel noise ordinance unconstitutional, sides with two Lucas employees
In a ruling that declares Carmel’s noise ordinance unconstitutional, a city court judge has found in favor of two employees of the Lucas family estate who were sued by the city after it accused them of violating the ordinance.
General Assembly: Indiana isn’t ‘employer’ in groping suit against Hill
The Indiana House and Senate are doubling down on their argument that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill cannot adequately represent their interests against discrimination and retaliation allegations brought by three legislative staffers against Hill and the state. In new court filings, the two legislative bodies say they are the entities that are legally considered the women’s employers, so they alone have the right to defend their sexual harassment prevention and response policies against the harassment allegations.
Family of Carmel teen sues Juul, calling e-cigarettes addictive, dangerous
A Carmel family is suing Juul Labs Inc., saying the company’s e-cigarettes contain excessively high amounts of nicotine and do not include warnings that the products can become addictive.
7th Circuit: Indiana prison mailbox rule misinterpreted in slip-and-fall case
A prisoner who filed a complaint against a customer services company after injuring himself in a kitchen slip and fall has had his case reinstated by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel concluded Indiana’s prison mailbox rule had been misinterpreted in dismissal of the man’s case.