Lawyer convicted of helping client launder proceeds from stolen equipment gets 2 years

A long legal battle is ending with a two-year federal prison sentence for a former California prosecutor and defense attorney convicted of helping an ex-client launder $120,000 he obtained by selling stolen computer equipment. Rejecting a bid by Jamie Harley for home confinement, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh did, however,…

Jan 16, 2015 5:45 AM CST

Former US attorney for Nevada gets 18 months for not filing federal tax returns

A former U.S. attorney for Nevada was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months for failing to file federal tax returns. Lawrence “Larry” Semenza II must report to prison by April 17, 2015 to begin serving his sentence in the Las Vegas case, KLAS reports. He must also pay $290,000 in restitution.…

Jan 14, 2015 2:40 PM CST

Former boot camp instructor sues in effort to rejoin Navy without shaving his beard

A former U.S. Navy boot camp instructor has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to be allowed to reenlist without shaving his beard, under a religious waiver. Jonathan Berts, a former boatswain’s mate 2nd class, has remained in the Navy reserve, bearded, after he was told in 2011 that he could…

Jan 9, 2015 8:20 AM CST

9th Circuit sacks video-game maker in lawsuit brought by retired NFL players for licensing fees

Electronic Arts suffered another defeat at the hands of football players to whom the software company was looking to avoid paying licensing fees. Courthouse News reported that the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Court of Appeals ruled (PDF) Tuesday that EA cannot avoid paying retired players for using their likenesses in…

Jan 6, 2015 3:58 PM CST

Lawyer pleads guilty in money-laundering case, admits getting $390K from client drug-trafficker

A California lawyer who reportedly helped a client—who had previously been convicted of drug offenses—incorporate marijuana dispensaries may be following him to prison. Described in court documents as “kingpin of a large, organized criminal enterprise awash in narcotics, firearms, and, most of all, money,” the client, John Melvin “Pops” Walker,…

Dec 18, 2014 3:25 PM CST

Sued by dad over his 13-year-old daughter’s suicide after bullying, school denies responsibility

Already distraught after his 13-year-old daughter committed suicide last December, Jason Lamberth says subsequent conduct of Nevada school officials is what drove him to file suit. Hailee Lamberth’s suicide note blamed bullying by a specific student, but the Clark County School District denied any report of bullying until the family…

Dec 17, 2014 4:00 PM CST

All is not as it seems for 9th Circuit clerk in ATL founder’s new novel (podcast)

Dec 17, 2014 8:30 AM CST

After last-minute lead plaintiff substitution, iPod users seek $350M at trial and get zilch

Corrected: A $350 million federal class action noteworthy for its last-minute appointment of a new lead plaintiff made it the jury this week—only to have the jury rule for the defendant company after about three hours of deliberation. The jury on Tuesday found Apple Inc. not liable for allegedly suppressing…

Dec 16, 2014 3:55 PM CST

9th Circuit refuses to block condom mandate for adult film actors

A federal appeals court has refused to enjoin a voter-approved law requiring adult film actors in Los Angeles County, California, to wear condoms during sexual intercourse. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a federal trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to block the…

Dec 16, 2014 12:07 PM CST

Kozinski dissent: ‘Tribunal run by marsupials’ would have been fairer to tribal defendant

Federal appeals judge Alex Kozinski has come out swinging in a dissent siding with a domestic-violence defendant convicted in a tribal court that did not inform him about the need to affirmatively request a jury trial. Kozinski wrote that the defendant, who did not have a lawyer at trial, would…

Dec 15, 2014 5:45 AM CST

Three cities sue Uber, citing noncompliance with state laws and municipal regulations

At least three cities filed suit this week against the operators of the Uber ride-sharing smartphone application. Although Uber’s leaders say they are merely providing information to drivers and passengers who wish to connect with each other, officials in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, see the situation differently.…

Dec 11, 2014 5:05 PM CST

Judge boots lead plaintiff in $350M case at trial against Apple, orders counsel to find a substitute

Agreeing with Apple Inc. that the only remaining lead plaintiff in a $350 million class action over iPods didn’t actually purchase one of the devices at issue, a federal judge has booted her from the case. However, rather than dismiss the antitrust case, which is at trial in Oakland, California,…

Dec 9, 2014 2:00 PM CST

Does $350M case at trial against Apple have a lead plaintiff? Judge hasn’t yet ruled

One of two lead plaintiffs dropped out of a $350 million antitrust class action against Apple Inc. last week, after lawyers for the computer goliath questioned whether she had purchased one of the iPods at issue in the California case. However, the federal judge overseeing the trial that is now…

Dec 8, 2014 5:40 PM CST

Uh-oh. Did lead plaintiffs seeking $350M in Apple trial purchase iPods as required?

Several days into the trial of a federal antitrust class action in which some 8 million iPod purchasers seek $350 million in damages from Apple Inc., a problem has arisen. It isn’t clear that the two lead plaintiffs did, in fact, purchase devices at issue in the nearly 10-year-old case,…

Dec 5, 2014 10:15 AM CST

9th Circuit reinstates stash-house-sting indictment

A federal appeals court has reversed a federal judge who tossed an indictment because of what he deemed to be an “outrageous” sting involving an invitation to rob a drug stash house that didn’t exist. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it shared concerns voiced by…

Dec 5, 2014 9:32 AM CST