Sale of Memory Gardens restores $20M in trust funds
Acquisition by Indianapolis-based funeral home and cemetery business by Pennsylvania-based company will preserve funds depleted
by former owner.
Legal Issues
Articles
Taft takes four patent lawyers from Bose McKinney
The highest-profile addition is Jim Coles, a veteran lawyer who will co-lead his new firm’s intellectual property practice.
Former Star columnist suing newspaper
Susan Guyett, who wrote the Talk of Our Town column, claims the newspaper discriminated against her on the basis of age when
she was let go from her job in 2008.
Memory Gardens manager sought $3.2M, awarded $175,000
A Johnson County judge approved the reduced amount, which was agreed upon during mediation. The settlement brings funeral
home and
cemetery business a step closer to being sold.
Penrod Society thief sentenced to five years
Marion County Superior Court Judge Stanley Kroh sentenced Brandon Benker to three years in prison and two years in a Community
Corrections program, in which he may be assigned to work release or home detention. Benker stole more than $380,000 from the
group in 2008.
Revised Mel Simon estate suit calls Bren ‘abusive’
Melvin Simon’s daughter Deborah is lashing out at her stepmother Bren in a new court filing, saying she was “mentally
and verbally abusive” toward the billionaire late in his life and kept him isolated from friends and family.
Tomisue Hilbert investigates mother’s death, $15M insurance policy
The wife of Indianapolis businessman Steve Hilbert is working with a team of attorneys to determine whether her deceased mother’s
estate can claim the benefit of a life insurance policy issued by Houston-based American General Life Insurance Co.
Live Nation seeks dismissal of Murat lawsuit
Beverly Hills, Calif.-based entertainment company says lease gives it the right to change venue’s name to Old National Centre.
Failed developer of French Lick casino sues Cook exec
Cook Group Chairman Steve Ferguson is target of complaint that charges he and others violated federal racketeering laws by
serving
on an entity that recommended a team that included Bill Cook to develop the French Lick Resort project.
Judge to speed federal health care challenge
Eighteen states, including Indiana, argue the federal government cannot force citizens to buy health insurance coverage.
Judge OKs sale of cemetery, funeral home company
Pennsylvania company is one step closer to purchasing the Indianapolis-based Memory Gardens Management Corp., whose former
owner pleaded guilty to theft and securities fraud.
Simon mansion in Bel Air on market for $50M
The 20,000-square-foot estate is in the ritzy neighborhood’s most prestigious area,
and boasts eight bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.
Louisiana gets $20M in Lilly drug settlement
Louisiana was one of 13 states that filed individual suits in state courts over allegations that Lilly pushed Zyprexa for
uses that had not been approved by federal regulators.
Four charged with income tax fraud
A business owner and three people allegedly involved in a large mortgage fraud scheme face prison sentences for failing to
report income or file certain tax forms.
Fishers company agrees to pay $5.5M in concrete case
Builder’s Concrete & Supply will pay the amount as part of a larger $60 million settlement lawyers reached with seven companies
accused of fixing concrete prices.
Lawyers in concrete price-fixing case awarded $18M in fees
Federal judge disagrees with Duke Realty Corp. and sides with attorneys representing plaintiffs in class-action suit.
Retired Junior Achievement exec files defamation suit
Former Junior Achievement CEO Jeff Miller says Mayor Greg Ballard was about to hire him as a senior policy adviser, but comments
by Central Indiana Community Foundation President Brian Payne and current CEO Jennifer Burk ruined the offer.
Famous handbag maker hits local retailers with lawsuits
In an effort to crack down on knockoffs, famous handbag designer Coach Inc. has hit at least three local retailers with trademark-infringement
lawsuits.
Shriners sue Live Nation, Old National over Murat renaming
The Murat Temple Association is a Shriners affiiate that owns the Murat Centre, which on March 16 was renamed the “Old National
Centre” in a three-year deal between the bank and Live Nation.
Indiana joins legal challenge to health care overhaul
State attorney general says the federal health care law raises serious constitutional questions, including whether Congress
has the authority to enact a mandate that most Americans purchase health insurance.