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Accountants sentenced for roles in billion-dollar tax scheme
Two accountants have been sentenced to 20 months in prison each for their involvement in a billion-dollar tax scheme involving syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. Victor Smith, a CPA and founding partner of an Atlanta-based accounting firm, promoted and sold these tax deductions from at least 2014 through 2019. His actions resulted in approximately $14 million in false deductions, causing a $4.8 million loss to the IRS. He received $491,400 in commissions for his role.
Supreme Court asked to review Oklahoma's Title X funding case
Attorney General Gentner Drummond has requested the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by an appellate court that upheld the Biden Administration's suspension of a longstanding family planning grant for Oklahoma. This development follows the state's refusal to provide abortion referrals under Title X, despite Title X funds being prohibited from use for abortion.
AG Nessel seeks dismissal of lawsuit on military voter rights
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has taken legal action to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the voting rights of military and overseas voters. The lawsuit, initiated by the Michigan Republican Party, Republican National Committee, and Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry, targets Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater.
Attorneys general challenge Biden-Harris administration's new immigration rule
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has spearheaded a coalition of seven attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against a rule from the Biden-Harris administration. The rule, known as "Parole-in-Place" (PIP), permits illegal immigrants to stay in the United States with potential employment opportunities and access to public benefits. The brief was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Sarpy County Adult Drug Court celebrates graduates on October 21
The Sarpy County Adult Drug Court is set to hold a graduation ceremony and celebration on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The event will take place in the Sarpy County Boardroom located at 1210 Golden Gate Drive in Papillion, Nebraska. Judge Stefanie Martinez will preside over the ceremony.
Kansas man sentenced for racially-motivated threats and housing interference
A Kansas man has been sentenced to 80 months in prison for issuing race-based threats and interfering with housing rights. Austin Schoemann, 31, from Wichita, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including interference with federally protected activities and interstate threats.
Pennington County Drug Court graduation set for October 23
The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court has announced the upcoming commencement ceremony for participants completing the Pennington County Drug Court program. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 3 p.m. MDT. It will take place at the Commission Chambers of the Pennington County Administration Building in Rapid City.
AG Nessel seeks dismissal of election lawsuit targeting military voter rights
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed briefs urging the Michigan Court of Claims to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the voting rights of military and overseas voters. The lawsuit, initiated by the Michigan Republican Party, Republican National Committee, and Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry, targets Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater.
Court allows lawsuit against Meta over alleged harm to youth
A federal judge has denied Meta's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Josh Stein and other attorneys general in 2023. The suit alleges that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, designed its platforms to be addictive for children and teenagers and misled users about the potential harms.
Data center CEO charged with fraud over false certification claims
A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia has indicted a Maryland man on charges of major fraud against the United States and making false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The indictment accuses Deepak Jain, 49, from Potomac, of participating in a scheme to mislead the SEC about his company's data center certification.
Florida AG warns against hurricane-related charity scams
Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians about potential charity scams in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The hurricanes have caused significant damage, with Helene affecting the Big Bend region and causing flooding across six states, while Milton recently hit Southwest Florida, resulting in power outages and widespread flooding.
America First Legal identifies former Kamala Harris staffers in Biden-Harris administration
America First Legal (AFL) has revealed the identities of over 40 political appointees in the Biden-Harris administration who previously worked for Vice President Kamala Harris. The information was obtained through AFL's Freedom of Information Act lawsuits, which secured employment records such as resumes, SF-50s, and ethics pledges. These documents detail the appointees' names, salaries, titles, work histories, and agencies.
Ohio man sentenced for concealing Croatian war crime charge
An Ohio resident, Jugoslav Vidic, has been sentenced to three years in prison for immigration fraud. Vidic, 56, of Parma Heights, concealed his past war crime charges in Croatia when applying for U.S. residency. According to court documents, he falsely claimed no legal charges and understated his military service history during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia.
Former Louisiana sheriff's deputy sentenced for civil rights violation
A former deputy from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana, Javarrea Pouncy, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for assaulting a detainee. Pouncy, aged 31, admitted to using excessive force during a strip search in September 2019, where he and another deputy repeatedly punched the detainee who posed no threat. The assault led to severe injuries including a broken eye socket and nose.
Attorney General warns local officials about ignoring state laws
Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a warning to local officials regarding the enforcement of state laws. This action is part of his ongoing efforts against what he refers to as 'sanctuary cities.' The Attorney General emphasizes the importance of adhering to state legislation, signaling that any deviation will not be tolerated.
Chief Judge DeWeese receives award from Going Home Hawaiʻi
Third Circuit Chief Judge Wendy M. DeWeese has been recognized with the Ka Lehua Kea Hiwahiawa Award by Going Home Hawaiʻi for her significant contributions to the community on Hawaiʻi island. The organization, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, focuses on helping individuals reintegrate into society through employment, education, housing, and other services.
Georgia Supreme Court welcomes new term law clerks for 2024-25
The Supreme Court of Georgia has announced the new class of term law clerks for the 2024-25 year. These clerks, who will serve for one year, are tasked with assisting Justices through legal research, drafting and reviewing opinions, and preparing for oral arguments.
Attorney General challenges Biden-Harris electric-truck mandate
Attorney General Mike Hilgers, representing a coalition of 24 states, has filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to challenge the Biden-Harris Administration's electric-vehicle mandate for truck manufacturers. The case, Nebraska v. EPA, contests the new rule that imposes stringent emissions standards on heavy-duty vehicles, effectively pushing manufacturers toward producing more electric trucks.
Ohio Supreme Court indefinitely suspends ex-Toledo councilman after corruption conviction
The Supreme Court of Ohio has indefinitely suspended the law license of former Toledo City Councilman Tyrone Riley following his federal public corruption conviction. Riley, who has been under an interim suspension since September 2023 after pleading guilty to violating the federal Hobbs Act, began serving a two-year prison sentence in January. The court's per curiam opinion denied him credit for time served under the interim suspension. Typically, an attorney with an indefinite suspension can seek reinstatement after two years.
North Carolina man arrested for alleged solicitation and exploitation charges
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Joseph Daniel Headrick, a 35-year-old resident of Waynesville, North Carolina. Headrick faces three charges related to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Greenville Police Department. The investigation also involved assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Waynesville Police Department.