Woman sentenced for illegal immigration service
M. Esther Barber, who is not an attorney, advertised herself to the Spanish-speaking community as a “notario” who can assist with immigration legal issues.
Criminal Charges
Articles
Prosecutor drops charges against OmniSource
Former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi brought stolen property charges against scrap yard operator OmniSource. But his successor, Terry Curry, said the evidence doesn’t support the allegations.
State elections chief tells commission he didn’t lie
Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White painted a picture of himself as a man with a complicated personal life that led him to use dual addresses but he denied ever providing false information as he defended himself Tuesday against voter fraud allegations.
Socialite to plead guilty to federal fraud charges
A New York socialite is expected to plead guilty to federal charges she duped corporations—including Indianapolis-based Roche Diagnostics Corp.—out of millions of dollars.
State ethics chief: White OK in viewing predecessor’s report
Former Secretary of State Todd Rokita’s report concluded that Charlie White appeared to intentionally vote in the wrong precinct a year ago when he won the Republican nomination for secretary of state. He faces criminal election fraud charges.
Indicted businessman to remain in halfway house
A federal judge has denied a request by Tim Durham, who is accused in a $200 million fraud scheme, to be released from an Indianapolis halfway house
Battery charges dropped against Fair Finance co-owner
The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office has dropped domestic battery charges against Fair Finance Co. co-owner Jim Cochran after the alleged victims declined to pursue the case.
Judge unseals some Fair Finance raid records
Still under wraps is the the FBI affidavit in support of the Fair Finance search warrant. Prosecutors contend releasing that "would greatly prejudice the criminal case."
Ex-Countrymark CEO clamors for conviction reversal
David Swanson, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for skimming $2.7 million from CountryMark in 2003, was in court in Indianapolis last week, trying to get his sentence reduced or conviction overturned.
Federal judge delays Durham hearing
A federal magistrate in California has delayed until Monday a detention hearing for Tim Durham, a former Indiana businessman accused of running an elaborate Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of more than $200 million.
Convictions likely in federal Fair Finance case
Defense attorneys representing indicted businessman Tim Durham and two other executives tied to bankrupt Fair Finance Co. could have a hard time convincing a jury to find them innocent. Federal prosecutors won 94.1 percent of their cases in 2009.
Man gets 3 years in cemetery scheme
Mark Singer, who was convicted of scheming to steal as much as $27 million set aside to maintain the graves of people who had paid in advance for their funerals, has been sentenced to three years in prison.
UPDATE: Judge adds probation to Guidant device plea deal
A Minnesota judge has signed off on a plea agreement that calls for Boston Scientific Corp.'s Guidant unit to pay $296 million for failing to properly disclose changes made to some implantable heart devices, but added three years of probation to the deal.
Guidant to appear in federal court for sentencing
Boston Scientific Corp.'s Guidant unit hopes to end a criminal case accusing it of failing to properly disclose changes made to some implantable heart devices when it appears in court Wednesday.
FBI investigating Durham firms for phone cramming
The FBI is asking land-line phone customers across the country to check their bills for phantom charges from more than 20 companies controlled by or connected to embattled financier Tim Durham.
Daniels endorses findings of criminal code review
Sweeping changes proposed for Indiana’s criminal sentencing system won the endorsement Wednesday of Gov. Mitch Daniels, who said that if lawmakers enact the changes they would hold down the state’s ballooning prison population and save taxpayer money.
Indiana church financier gets 54 years for Ponzi scheme
A judge sentenced 66-year-old Vaughn Reeves to 54 years in prison during a court hearing Tuesday in Sullivan. A jury convicted him in October on nine counts of securities fraud.
Man gets 40-year sentence for lawmaker attack
A man found guilty but mentally ill for an attack on Indiana state Rep. Ed. DeLaney was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday.
Grand jury indicts OmniSource for racketeering
A Marion County grand jury has returned an eight-count indictment against OmniSource Corp., accusing the metal recycling powerhouse of racketeering and receiving stolen property. Company president Mark Millett called the allegations "unfounded."
Indiana church financier convicted of Ponzi scheme
Jurors deliberated about four hours before convicting Vaughn Reeves, 66, on nine counts of securities fraud.