Afternoon Briefs: Ex-lawyer sentenced for show-pony secrecy; DOJ drops suit over Melania Trump book
Image from Shutterstock.com.
Ex-lawyer sentenced for failure to disclose ponies
A former Virginia lawyer has been sentenced to six months in prison for failing to disclose in a bankruptcy proceeding her family’s ownership of several show ponies. Laura Wright, 53, was a lawyer with prior bankruptcy experience at the time of the bankruptcy filing, prosecutors said. Wright’s lawyer, Anthony Anderson, told Law360 that Wright “is committed to working diligently to right her wrong in ways that will allow her to regain the trust and respect she once enjoyed.” (Law360, Department of Justice Feb. 5 press release)
DOJ drops suit against author of Melania Trump book
The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped a lawsuit seeking the proceeds of a tell-all book about former first lady Melania Trump. Government lawyers filed a notice of dismissal Monday. The author and defendant was Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former aide to Trump. The suit had alleged violation of a nondisclosure agreement. (Politico, the Washington Post)
Former Trump campaign chairman gets double jeopardy win
New York’s top court has declined to review an appellate decision dismissing state mortgage fraud charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The lower courts had dismissed the charges on double jeopardy grounds because of Manafort’s federal conviction for similar crimes of bank and tax fraud. Former President Donald Trump pardoned Manafort for his federal crimes in December. (The New York Times, Law360)
