News from April 2024
Leader of Multimillion-Dollar Clinic Scam Resentenced for Health Care and Tax Fraud Conspiracy
Aleksandr Pikus, the New York man at the center of a multimillion-dollar health care kickback and tax avoidance conspiracy, has been resentenced to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $39 million in restitution. The scheme orchestrated by Pikus involved referring Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to health care providers in exchange for illegal kickbacks. As a result, the health care providers submitted millions of dollars in false and fraudulent claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs."Pikus failed to report that cash income to the IRS, instead using sham...
Ohio Supreme Court limits access to death record details citing privacy concerns
The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that a database containing names and addresses linked to causes of death in Ohio is not subject to public records requests due to its classification as "protected health information."
Sorrento man arrested for juvenile pornography and animal abuse
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's Cyber Crime Unit has apprehended a Sorrento resident, Jayden McConnell, on charges related to juvenile pornography and sexual abuse of an animal. The arrest took place on April 16.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Addresses Senate Subcommittee on Justice Department's Funding Request
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently delivered an opening statement before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, discussing the Justice Department’s funding request for Fiscal Year 2025. Garland expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the Subcommittee, stating, "Thank you, Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, for the opportunity to discuss the Justice Department’s funding request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025."Reflecting on the challenges faced during his...
Florida Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Assaulting Minor in New York
An indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn, New York, today charging a Florida man with sex trafficking multiple women and coercion and enticement of a minor."Joel David Forney, 41, of Kissimmee, was charged with sex trafficking; interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution; and coercion and enticement of a minor." Forney allegedly trafficked women to work in commercial sex in New York, including at an open-air sex trafficking market along a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn known as the Penn Track."According to the indictment, for years, Forney preyed...
Eighth Judicial District Court vacancy announced by Governor Lombardo
Governor Joe Lombardo has announced a vacancy for the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada, Department 14.
Sorrento man arrested on juvenile pornography and animal abuse charges
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's Cyber Crime Unit has taken a Sorrento man into custody on charges related to pornography involving juveniles and the sexual abuse of an animal. Jayden McConnell, 20, was arrested on April 16 for allegedly violating Louisiana laws concerning these offenses.
Attorney General Miyares Urges Biden Administration to Address Missing Migrant Children Crisis
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has taken a firm stance on the issue of missing migrant children, calling on the Biden administration to address the crisis promptly. In a letter addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra, Attorney General Miyares expressed his concerns regarding the welfare and safety of unaccompanied minors."The federal government has lost track of 85,000 migrant children. This is unacceptable. Local law enforcement cannot protect and ensure the well-being of children they don’t know exist," stated Attorney General Miyares.The...
The Buckeye Institute Calls on SCOTUS to Protect Private Property Rights
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute has taken a stand in the case of Gonzales v. Inslee, as it filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to safeguard the private property rights of landlords. David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of the takings clause in the U.S. Constitution, stating, "The takings clause—which says the government cannot take private property ‘without just compensation’—is a bedrock principle of the U.S. Constitution."Tryon further highlighted the significance of the case, noting, “And this...
Arizona AG criticizes GOP over blocking repeal of 1864 abortion ban
Attorney General Mayes expressed strong disapproval of legislative Republicans for their decision to block the repeal of a longstanding abortion ban from 1864.
A Global Perspective on Corporate Governance on April 19, 2024
Kathy Jaffari will speak on the panel “A Global Perspective on Corporate Governance” at the Global Capital Markets & the U.S. Securities Laws 2024 hosted by the Practising Law Institute.
Troutman Pepper Partner Dabney Carr Named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s Class of 2024 Hall of Fame
Dabney Carr, a Richmond, Virginia-based partner in Troutman Pepper’s national Intellectual Property Practice Group, has been named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s Class of 2024 Hall of Fame, which honors distinguished Virginia lawyers who have been in practice for at least 30 years.
Attorney General Drummond files first lawsuits stemming from soaring natural gas prices in 2021 winter storm
Alleging artificially inflated natural gas prices that preyed on Oklahomans in the wake of Winter Storm Uri, Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed litigation against Enable entities (ET Gathering & Processing successor by merger to Enable Midstream Partners, Enable Oklahoma Intrastate Transmission, Enable Gas Transmission and Enable Energy Resources) and Symmetry Energy Solutions LLC.
Providence man sentenced to serve 10 years in state prison for sexual assault
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Providence man has been sentenced in Washington County Superior Court to serve 10 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for first-degree sexual assault against a female victim in 2020.
Polsinelli Ranked Highly in Patexia’s 2024 ITC Section 337, Patent Litigation and Patent Prosecution Reports
Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli is pleased to announce that it has once again been ranked highly by Patexia, a leading intellectual property platform, in three recent reports.
AGO Podcast: The Costs and Benefits of Amicus Briefs
In any given month, the Utah Attorney General’s Office can join dozens of amici, also known as ‘friend of the court’ briefs, or sign the AG’s name to a persuasive letter that argues for or against a hot topic.
Attorney General Kaul Supports the EPA’s Listing of Nine PFAS Compounds as Hazardous Constituents
Attorney General Josh Kaul joined a multistate coalition of 12 states in submitting a comment letter strongly supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposed rule that would list nine PFAS compounds as hazardous constituents under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Jones Day among “Women-forward workplaces” recognized by Crain’s New York Business
Crain's New York Business included Jones Day on its list of "Women-forward workplaces" as part of its annual "Women of Influence" awards.
Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VERV) Investigation
Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP (“Wolf Haldenstein”), a preeminent national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (“Verve” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ:VERV) for violations of the securities laws.
The Buckeye Institute Proposes Solutions to Address Classroom Space Demand
Columbus, OH – In a new policy memo, The Buckeye Institute has put forth recommendations to tackle the increasing need for classroom space in private and charter schools in Ohio. Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, suggests specific actions in the memo, such as authorizing the state treasurer to implement financial programs for non-district schools.Lawson, in the policy memo, emphasized the importance of implementing programs to support non-district schools, stating, "authorize the state treasurer to make linked deposit programs and a loan...