News from May 2024
San Francisco man faces charges for alleged murder linked to drug trafficking
A San Francisco man, Filimone Tavake, appeared in the District of Hawaii today to face charges related to his alleged involvement in a murder connected with drug trafficking. According to court documents, Tavake is accused of killing a Hawaii resident at the victim's home on March 27, 2021, as part of a drug distribution conspiracy. He was arrested five days prior in California.
Cape Cod Hospital settles false claims act allegations for $24.3 million
Cape Cod Hospital, located in Hyannis, Massachusetts, has agreed to a $24.3 million settlement to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act. The hospital was accused of knowingly submitting claims to Medicare for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures that did not comply with Medicare's specific rules for patient evaluation.
North Carolina man faces charges over alleged minor exploitation
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of David Eugene Wilder, 48, of Locust, N.C., on ten charges related to the attempted sexual exploitation of minors. The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Mount Pleasant Police Department and Charleston Police Department carried out the arrests on two sets of charges. The U.S. Marshals Service and Homeland Security Investigations, both also members of the state's ICAC Task Force, provided assistance with the investigations.
Justice Department unseals charges in North Korean IT worker fraud scheme
The Justice Department has unsealed charges, seizures, and other court-authorized actions aimed at disrupting the illicit revenue generation efforts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea). The charges include prosecutions of an Arizona woman, a Ukrainian man, and three unidentified foreign nationals who allegedly participated in schemes to place overseas information technology (IT) workers—posing as U.S. citizens and residents—in remote positions at U.S. companies.
Justice Department takes action against DPRK's illicit revenue generation efforts
The Justice Department has announced a series of coordinated and court-authorized actions to disrupt the illicit revenue generation efforts of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) information technology (IT) workers. This is part of a wider initiative, the DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative, which aims to prioritize high-impact, strategic, and unified enforcement and disruption operations across the U.S. Government targeting U.S.-based enablers of unlawful DPRK IT workers overseas.
Justice Department initiates process to reschedule marijuana
The U.S. Justice Department has announced that the Attorney General has submitted a notice of proposed rulemaking to the Federal Register, initiating a formal process to consider reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Bowen Law Director Patrick Harris appointed to Arkansas Judicial Commission
Attorney General Tim Griffin has appointed Patrick Harris, the Director of Advocacy at William H. Bowen School of Law, to serve on the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Griffin praised Harris's distinguished record of public service in his announcement, stating, "Patrick Harris has a long and distinguished record of public service, not only as a federal prosecutor of murder, RICO, extortion, kidnapping, and public-corruption cases but also as a longtime adjunct professor of law at the Bowen Law School and now as its Director of Advocacy supervising...
Oklahoma AG's office launches online form for senior fraud complaints
The Office of the Attorney General in Oklahoma City has introduced an online senior fraud complaint form, available on its website. This development comes as a response to the increasing incidents of fraud targeting older Oklahomans.
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds state election laws: Attorney General Griffin's statement
Attorney General Tim Griffin celebrated a unanimous decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court in Thurston v. League of Women Voters, which upheld four state election laws pertaining to absentee ballots, voter identification, and polling-place electioneering restrictions. Griffin hailed the ruling as a "total victory for Arkansas voters and the security of our elections moving forward."
Seven Sinaloa Cartel members sentenced for drug trafficking conspiracy
Seven members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel have been sentenced to prison for their role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The defendants had previously pleaded guilty to these charges.
Two more indicted for 2015 murder of Eric Cates
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced the indictments of two Walker County men in connection with the 2015 death of Eric Cates. Joshua Franklin Hill, 35, and Luke Williams, Jr., 34, both from Walker County, have been served with indictments for Capital Murder.
Anderson County man arrested for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Andrew Lee Davenport, 32, of Abbeville, S.C., on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office made the arrest.
Westerly woman convicted of child abuse following three-day trial
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has announced the conviction of a Westerly woman on charges of child abuse. Following a three-day trial that concluded on May 10, 2024, a Washington County Superior Court jury found Taurie Richardson, 27, guilty of two counts of second-degree child abuse. The verdict came in response to incidents that occurred in April 2021.
Summary of legal opinions issued on May 16, 2024
On May 16, 2024, several cases were reviewed and opinions issued by various judges. The case of Brown v. State (Docket No.: 20230364) filed under the category of Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief was authored by Douglas Alan Bahr. The opinion stated that "The definition of official detention does not preclude custody while on probation." Furthermore, it clarified that an unambiguous sentence pronouncement controls over an ambiguous sentence, whether oral or written. When there is ambiguity between two sentences, the record must be examined to determine the district...
Report finds number of 'nuclear' verdicts increased 27% in 2023
A report published on May 3 by Marathon Strategies, an independent public relations firm, revealed a significant increase in the number of "nuclear" verdicts, or jury verdicts exceeding $10 million. The report showed a rise of 27% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Former emergency services director charged with indecent assault
Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced charges against Timothy A. Boyce, the former director of Delaware County Emergency Services, for allegedly indecently assaulting an employee earlier this year at the county’s communications center. Boyce, 60, was charged on Thursday with three misdemeanor offenses — indecent assault, simple assault, and harassment — related to an incident that occurred on Jan. 30.
Missouri AG demands documents after alleged retaliation against NFL player's faith remarks
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has called on Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to provide all documents, records, and communications linked to his office's X (formerly Twitter) post. This demand comes in response to the post which was seen as retaliatory against Kansas City Chief’s kicker Harrison Butker for comments he made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College where he openly discussed his Catholic faith.
Dominican national sentenced for role in international cocaine trafficking conspiracy
A Dominican Republic national was sentenced yesterday to a prison term of 15 years and four months for his involvement in an international conspiracy aimed at distributing 385 kilograms of cocaine for illegal importation into the United States.
AG Todd Rokita alerts Hoosiers about April's recalled products
Attorney General Todd Rokita is raising awareness among Indiana residents about the consumer protection concerns related to products that were recalled in April. His office is urging consumers to avail themselves of the remedies available for those who have purchased items that could potentially be harmful to their families.
Florida launches statewide human trafficking hotline amid concerns over national service
Florida has officially launched a statewide human trafficking reporting number. This move comes in response to concerns regarding the National Human Trafficking Hotline, operated by Polaris, which was reportedly failing to share timely suspected human trafficking tips with local law enforcement.