Articles

Justices’ rent-to-own ruling helps consumers, lawyers say

The Indiana Supreme Court reviewed a dispute over a rent-to-own contract and determined the family who had been living in the home were renters, not buyers. The ruling in Rainbow Realty Group, Inc., et al. v. Katrina Carter and Quentin Lintner, might give families who enter rent-to-buy contracts some remedy to prevent their dreams of homeownership from becoming a nightmare.

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Indiana Legislature seeks to separate from AG in sexual harassment lawsuit

The Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate have filed separate motions in federal court to represent themselves in the sexual harassment lawsuit against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr., claiming the state’s top lawyer cannot adequately defend their interests. Majority leaders of both the House and Senate announced late Monday afternoon they had hired outside counsel and are trying to intervene in the litigation brought by four women against Hill and the state of Indiana.

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Car-dealer promoter sued over allegedly deceptive mailers

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.

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Lawyers attack memo, say Hill considering defamation lawsuit

Repeatedly claiming “false and malicious” statements were included in a confidential memo containing allegations of sexual misconduct by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, Indianapolis attorney Kevin Betz announced he is preparing a defamation lawsuit on the AG’s behalf. Betz and his law partner Sandra Blevins held a press conference Wednesday in the lobby of their Indianapolis law firm, Betz & Blevins, to announce the possible suit.

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District court strikes part of state’s civil forfeiture law

Amid discussions on legislative reform to Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework, a federal judge has ruled part of that framework unconstitutional, determining the process by which the state can seize someone’s property before an official forfeiture action violates due process protections.

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