Maley: Senior status for Springmann, Flaum creates vacancies
Rules governing divisional jurisdiction vary in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, as illustrated by some recent rulings.
Northern District
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Suspended attorney sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for tax evasion
A former Schererville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney who pleaded guilty to tax evasion has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The attorney, who was suspended from the practice of law last year, also was ordered to make restitution of more than $1.7 million.
7th Circuit extinguishes fraudster-arsonist’s appeal
A convicted insurance fraudster whose M.O. was arson has lost his appeal of his mail fraud convictions, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting his argument that evidence of arson was improperly admitted at his fraud trial.
Hammond man facing federal drug sentence charged in Capitol breach
A Northwest Indiana man charged with participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol could face trial in Washington on misdemeanor counts. The man had been awaiting sentencing in a separate case involving gang-related drug conspiracy charges.
Northern District seeking new clerk as Trgovich to retire
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is accepting applications for a new clerk of court in anticipation of a vacancy in the post this summer. The current clerk, Robert N. Trgovich, has announced he will retire this summer.
Former Whiting mayor who stole money to gamble avoids prison
A former Whiting mayor who pleaded guilty to charges that he spent about a quarter-million dollars in campaign funds to gamble and pay personal bills avoided prison on Wednesday when a federal judge ordered he be placed on two years’ probation and home detention for one year.
Nursing home patient, family seek to enforce rights as to care
A case pending before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals brought on behalf of a northwest Indiana man suffering from dementia asks whether a patient in a long-term care facility can enforce rights under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
7th Circuit: Injured worker not qualified individual under ADA
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling that a woman fired from her job after a spinal injury was not a qualified individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
7th Circuit rejects ‘aging out’ of crime argument in gun sentence appeal
A man convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon who alleged he was “aging out” of crime did not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday that his above-guidelines sentence should be reversed.
Trump’s impact on courts likely to last long beyond his term
On this, even President Donald Trump’s most fevered critics agree: He has left a deep imprint on the federal courts that will outlast his one term in office for decades to come.
7th Circuit affirms $0 judgment after previous ‘outrageous’ award of $1M
A man who was initially awarded $1 million by a jury for a run-of-the-mill car accident case will have to stick with the zero-dollar judgment he asked for in a new trial after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana found the original verdict to be “outrageous.”
Bell named acting US attorney for Northern District
Gary T. Bell has been named the acting United States attorney for the Northern District of Indiana following the confirmation of former Northern District Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Southern District suspends in-person trials till March
The Indiana Southern District Court has suspended all in-person jury trials until next year, a move announced just days after the Indiana Supreme Court implemented the same restrictions in state court due to the pandemic. Federal in-person jury trials in the Northern District also have been continued until at least late January.
Feds seek 15-month prison term for former Whiting mayor
Federal prosecutors are recommending a 15-month prison sentence for the former mayor of Whiting, who pleaded guilty to fraud and a tax crime.
Senate prepares to vote on Kirsch nomination to 7th Circuit
Thomas Kirsch, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, will likely get one step closer to joining the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals today with the U.S. Senate scheduled to vote on the cloture motion for his nomination at 5:30 p.m.
Kirsch nomination to succeed Barrett on 7th Circuit moves to full Senate
The nomination of Hoosier Thomas Kirsch II to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was approved Thursday by the Judiciary Committee and will be sent to the U.S. Senate for a confirmation vote.
Unwanted exposure: In right of publicity suits, models seek damages from adult clubs they say used images without permission
Professional models from across the globe are suing four Indiana strip clubs for using their photos without permission to advertise establishments located in Fort Wayne, Hammond and Indianapolis. The models are invoking Indiana’s Right of Publicity Statute, one of the strongest such laws in the nation.
Senate Committee holds Kirsch’s nomination to succeed Barrett
The Senate Judiciary Committee held consideration of Thomas Kirsch’s nomination until its Dec. 10 meeting, putting the U.S. Attorney for the Northern Indiana District’s confirmation to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in a tight race against the clock.
Federal courts invite families to celebrate Bill of Rights through virtual event
As courts nationwide are celebrating the anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution’s first 10 Amendments during the month of December, families are invited to join in during a Wednesday evening event.
Minority groups highlight need for diversity on all-white 7th Circuit
The lack of diversity on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals – which would remain unchanged if nominee Thomas Kirsch II is confirmed to fill the current vacancy – is prompting minority groups to speak out and call upon elected officials and the judiciary to appoint judges from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.