News from May 2024
Virginia AG announces top leadership appointments effective June 1
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced several key leadership appointments within the Office of the Attorney General today. These changes will be effective from June 1.
Massachusetts home builder pleads guilty to tax conspiracy
A former Massachusetts home builder, Kent Pecoy, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and creating false documents to aid a client in obtaining a mortgage. Pecoy was the owner and operator of Kent Pecoy & Sons, Construction Inc., a commercial and luxury home construction company based in West Springfield.
Two Chinese nationals charged for $73M cryptocurrency scam
An indictment was unsealed in the Central District of California, charging two Chinese nationals with leading roles in a scheme to launder proceeds from cryptocurrency investment scams. The individuals involved are Daren Li, 41, a dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, and Yicheng Zhang, 38, a Chinese national residing in Temple City, California.
New York man sentenced in $1.9M baby formula fraud scheme
A man from New York has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme involving specialty baby formula. Vladislav Kotlyar, 45, of Staten Island, was also ordered to pay approximately $738,000 in restitution and forfeit around $1 million.
Attorney General disbands drug trafficking network in Pennsylvania counties
Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced that the 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury recommended charges against 13 individuals in connection with a drug and gun trafficking ring based in Erie and Crawford counties. The arrest operation commenced last week, with the alleged ringleader, 25-year-old Quran Lindsey-Cooley, being taken into custody on numerous charges including corrupt organizations, felony drugs and firearms offenses, among others.
David DePape sentenced to 360 months for assault and attempted kidnapping
David DePape, a 44-year-old resident of Richmond, California, was sentenced to 360 months in prison and five years of supervised release today. This sentence follows his conviction on charges of assault and attempted kidnapping related to an incident that occurred on October 28, 2022. On this date, DePape trespassed into the home of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi.
Warwick man faces charges for soliciting a minor
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Warwick man has been charged in Kent County Superior Court with solicitation of a minor following his arrest by the Rhode Island State Police. The charges were brought against Cesar Garcia, 45, on May 8, 2024, by the Office of the Attorney General.
Two New Nebraska Attorneys Join MVP Law
MVP Law is excited to welcome two new Workers’ Compensation attorneys to the firm: Abigail Wenninghoff and Nora McHenry!
Lawdragon Recognizes Three Morgan Lewis Partners in Leading Immigration Lawyers Guide
Three Morgan Lewis partners have been named in The 2024 Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers guide.
Arizona Legislature sues Environmental Protection Agency over new rules pushing switch to electric vehicles
The Arizona Legislature has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency, after the group issued pollution emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles that will require a speedy, costly transition to electric-powered vehicles and potentially tax the state’s power grid.
North Carolina lawmakers eye citizen-only voting amendment
North Carolina soon could join a host of other states in letting voters decide if only American citizens should be allowed to vote in all state elections.
Class action targets internet game addiction
JEFFERSON CITY — Several companies that create video games are being sued in a federal class action lawsuit alleging they fueled an addiction to video games with things like "micro-transactions."
OPINION: Despite SCOTUS Ruling, CFPB Oversight Needed
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in the much-anticipated Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) v. Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) case that challenged the CFPB’s independent funding mechanism through the Federal Reserve. The American Financial Services Association joined with other trades in an amicus brief arguing that the Bureau’s “funding scheme is historically unique.”
SCOTUS, 7-2, rejects challenge to where the CFPB gets its money
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - When Congress kept itself out of the funding for a controversial federal agency, it did not violate the U.S. Constitution.
Nevada drivers pay more than average for increasing insurance costs
The cost of motor vehicle insurance rose 22.6% over the last year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In comparison, the overall rate of inflation for the last year was 3.4%.
Call for nominations: 2024 Morton A. Brody Distinguished Judicial Service Award
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2024 Morton A. Brody Distinguished Judicial Service Award. Established in 2000, this award is bestowed biennially by the Colby College Board of Trustees to a United States federal or state judge. The honor serves as a tribute to the late Honorable Morton A. Brody, a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Maine.
Solar company faces shareholder lawsuit over stock drop
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - An Oklahoma public pension system has filed a securities class action lawsuit against a solar power company over a drop in its value.
Lawsuit accuses firm of inducing client to settle class action
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A nonprofit targeted with a class action lawsuit is suing the lawyers who represented it, accusing them of fraud and breach of contract.
Asbestos lawyers lose effort to change Vermont rule
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - The Vermont Supreme Court won't change the window for asbestos claimants to sue, rejecting a call from a Dallas plaintiffs firm to do so.
Ky. court wipes away $23M defamation verdict for two W.Va. chiropractors suspected of fraud by CSX
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - An appeals court has found several problems with a $23 million Kentucky verdict against CSX and its chief medical officer, who were accused of defaming two West Virginia chiropractors they thought were fabricating worker injuries.