7th Circuit Court

I’ll Use Prosecution Tapes to Win My Case, Says Impeached Ex-Ill. Gov

After pleading innocent today to charges made in a revised indictment in a federal corruption case, the impeached former governor of Illinois and his lawyers said he could seek to suppress government tapes of allegedly incriminating phone conversations on constitutional grounds but doesn’t intend to do so. That’s because playing…

Feb 10, 2010 8:04 PM CST

Twice in a Week, Federal Appeals Court Axes Sentence, Remands to New Judge

It’s unusual for a federal appeals court not only to reject a judge’s sentence but remand the case to another jurist for re-sentencing. But it’s now happened at least twice within one week: After the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ skewering on Friday of a federal judge in…

Feb 2, 2010 10:11 PM CST

7th Cir. Skewers Judge Shadur Over Ex-Lawyer’s Sentence, Remands Case to Another Judge

In a stinging rebuke to a federal judge who sentenced a well-known former Chicago lawyer and politician to probation in a corruption case, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today not only reversed the sentence but remanded the case to a different judge. And, in an opinion (PDF) authored…

Jan 29, 2010 7:46 PM CST

Lawyer Tips Feds to Alleged Plot to Kill Federal Prosecutor; 2 Charged

A defense lawyer for a former prison inmate who had been convicted of murder pointed authorities to an alleged plot to kill a federal prosecutor in Chicago, resulting in charges against two men. Two suburban Chicago men, Jack Mann, 41, and Frank Caira, 39, are the defendants in the case,…

Jan 19, 2010 9:28 PM CST

Posner Blasts ‘Out of Control’ Class-Action Lawyer in Fee Fight

A federal appeals court has blasted an Illinois class action lawyer as “out of control” and ordered sanctions for bringing a groundless suit for fees against his former law firm partners. The lawyer, Rex Carr, “is locked in mortal combat with his former law partners,” but the litigation is groundless,…

Jan 14, 2010 2:20 PM CST

Stopped for Expired L-Plate, Driver Featured on TV Reality Show Files Federal Suit

Stopped by police in a Chicago suburb for allegedly driving a car with an expired license plate, Eran Best says she was subsequently humiliated when the incident—which eventually included a field sobriety test—was featured in a segment of a television reality show. She reportedly was not charged with any moving…

Dec 16, 2009 10:00 PM CST

Prof Who Equates Forfeiture With Bullying Won’t Get Due Process Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court won’t rule on the constitutional claims of six Illinois property owners who contended delayed hearings on the return of forfeited assets violated their due process rights. Today, the Supreme Court found that the case is moot because the underlying property disputes have all ended. “The state…

Dec 8, 2009 3:54 PM CST

Mistrial for Blogger Accused of Threat to Kill 3 Federal Appellate Judges

A deadlocked jury forced a mistrial today in the case of a so-called hate blogger accused of threatening three federal appeals court judges in an Internet tirade over an opinion they issued on gun control. Prosecutors contended the blog post by Hal Turner amounted to a death threat against the…

Dec 7, 2009 8:28 PM CST

7th Circuit Rules for Tax Lawyer in ‘Yo-Yo’ Case That Spanned 23 Years

A unanimous opinion by the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lays to rest IRS claims that a prominent tax lawyer fraudulently avoided paying taxes. The late Burton Kanter, a tax attorney for some of Chicago’s wealthiest families, had been accused of fraud by the Internal Revenue Service, the…

Dec 2, 2009 7:52 PM CST

Senate Confirms Controversial Obama Nominee to 7th Circuit Bench

After a delay of more than five months, the U.S. Senate today has confirmed a controversial judge nominated to the federal appellate bench by President Barack Obama. The vote was 59-39, with the sole Republican vote in favor of Judge David Hamilton cast by Sen. Richard Lugar, who represents the…

Nov 19, 2009 10:39 PM CST

Ex-Gov of Ill. Could Be Alone at Trial as Other Defendants Sprint for Exit

It looks like the impeached former governor of Illinois is likely to be all alone when his federal corruption case goes to trial next year. Although there were six defendants in the case when the charges were announced earlier this year, Rod Blagojevich’s brother, Rob, is the only remaining co-defendant…

Nov 16, 2009 8:11 PM CST

Former Law School Roommate to Testify Against Ex-Illinois Governor

A former law school roommate of Rod Blagojevich has agreed to help the feds with their corruption case against the ex-Illinois governor, in exchange for a recommended two-year prison term. Alonzo “Lon” Monk, 51, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Chicago to a single count of wire fraud. It…

Oct 20, 2009 7:28 PM CDT

High Court: 7th Circuit Too Hasty in Denying Death Row Inmate’s Claims

The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the courts to consider the unresolved claims of an Indiana death row inmate convicted of murdering his brother and three others. Joseph Corcoran had raised five issues in a habeas appeal, including claims that prosecutors committed misconduct at his sentencing and that he should…

Oct 20, 2009 4:08 PM CDT

Law Prof: Forfeiture Case Before High Court Is About Government Bullying

Tyhesha Brunston’s car was held by the government for three years after her friend was arrested while driving the vehicle. The Chicago woman is among six “innocent owners” of property seized by the government who are challenging Illinois forfeiture laws before the U.S. Supreme Court today. Brunston is represented by…

Oct 14, 2009 11:55 AM CDT

Judge Axes Attorney from Criminal Case, Says He ‘Played a Major Role’

Attorney Rufus Cook can’t continue to represent a defendant accused of defrauding real estate investors because he “played a major role in these underlying transactions,” a federal judge in Chicago says. U.S. District Judge James Zagel removed Cook from the case Tuesday, after prosecutors accused him of receiving nearly $500,000…

Oct 1, 2009 4:57 PM CDT