Former Indianapolis teachers union chief gets 16 months
The former president of the Indianapolis Education Association has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $100,000 from the union.
Southern District
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Southern District extends COVID-19 in-person restrictions
No in-person proceedings will take place at the Southern District Court until June 15, except under emergency circumstances, the district court announced in a Tuesday order. That date, however, is subject to change depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in each of the district court’s four divisions, the order says.
Hitting the road: Outgoing federal clerk Briggs sets out for adventure in retirement
As longtime Southern District of Indiana clerk Laura Briggs stepped back from her post to pursue an adventure in retirement, she said saying goodbye in the middle of a public health crisis is interesting and hard. “It will also be hard for me not to be involved in something that is so integral for the functioning of American society,” she said.
Despite lost support, AG Hill seemingly pushes forward
Statewide political leaders, including Republican leaders, are withdrawing support of embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, who next week begins a 30-day suspension for two ethics violations. But Hill so far has not indicated plans to step down from his role or leave the 2020 campaign trail once the suspension is over, even though his competition may be growing.
Sharpe becomes Southern District clerk after swearing-in ceremony
The new clerk has officially taken office in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Roger A.G. Sharpe was sworn in last week, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of former longtime clerk Laura Briggs.
Second inmate disciplined for kissing allegations secures habeas relief
A second woman disciplined for allegedly kissing another inmate at the Rockville Correctional Facility has been granted habeas corpus relief, the Southern District Court ruled Friday.
Jackson County Courthouse Nativity scene violates First Amendment, judge rules
A Nativity scene displayed on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, a federal judge has ruled, entering an injunction prohibiting the county’s as-is display of the Christian Christmas scene.
Court questions archdiocese’s authority to terminate gay teacher
Marion Superior Court has denied a motion filed by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a gay former Cathedral High School teacher, finding the archdiocese may not be the “highest ecclesiastical authority.”
Inmate wins habeas relief after kissing allegations led to discipline
An inmate disciplined for allegedly kissing another offender has been granted her petition for habeas corpus relief after a Southern District court judge found the woman was deprived of due process.
Attorney-photographer wins another infringement claim, but not willfulness
A notorious Indiana copyright litigator has once again secured judgment in his favor on a claim that a local business unlawfully used his photo of the Indianapolis skyline, though a federal judge determined the infringement was not willful.
3M files suit over alleged scam that targeted Indiana for billions of dollars
In its complaint, filed Thursday in the Indianapolis division of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 3M accuses Reno, Nevada-based Zenger LLC and its agent, Zachary Puznak, of contacting high-ranking Indiana officials and offering to sell them up to 100 million N95 respirators on behalf of 3M.
Lawsuit seeks to expand voting by mail for November election
Not-for-profit Indiana Vote by Mail and 12 Indiana voters have filed a federal lawsuit against the Indiana Election Commission and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson that seeks to give all voters the option of casting a ballot by mail in the November general election.
Virtually empty: Courts try to keep dockets moving amid pandemic
Like the rest of the world, the judiciary has been walking a tightrope for the last six weeks, trying to keep courts open while protecting judges, staff, lawyers, litigants and the public from COVID-19 exposure.
Good time credit restored after inmate wins habeas petition
In noting the state did not provide any evidence to support its arguments, the Southern Indiana District Court restored an inmate’s earned credit time which he had lost for refusing to participate in a sex offender program.
Charlestown zoo owner loses bid to reinstate federal license, overturn $340K fine
The owner of an embattled Charlestown roadside zoo has lost his bid to overturn an order revoking his federal exhibitor’s license and requiring him to pay more than $300,000 in civil penalties.
Hill accusers revive harassment suit with claims against Indiana Legislature
The federal litigation stemming from the sexual misconduct allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill has been revived, this time with the plaintiffs suing the Indiana Legislature rather than the state. Hill’s accusers are also indicating that they plan to appeal the dismissal of several federal claims.
Updated Southern District order extends pandemic jury trial delays
A new general order from the Southern Indiana District Court in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues jury trials until at least May 29 and enables jury staff to deter service for certain categories of jurors through June 30.
ACLU sues to block new Indiana panhandling law
A new Indiana law that effectively bans panhandling in downtown areas effective July 1 is being challenged in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, which claims that in addition to panhandlers, it and other organizations whose members personally collect donations would be broadly banned from doing so under the new law.
Judge denies inmate request for release over COVID-19 risk
An inmate facing drug and weapons charges who claims he is at a higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus has been denied his request to be released to home detention for his health.
Public, press can be included in electronic federal court proceedings
Federal courts that have been forced to close courthouses to the public because of the novel coronavirus pandemic have been authorized to use technology to provide the public and press with continued access to court proceedings.