Pratt named chief judge of Indiana Southern District Court
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt succeeds Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson as chief judge, making history as the first person of color to lead the court.
U.S. District Court
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Judge dismisses women’s lawsuit accusing Curtis Hill of sexual harassment
U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said that because the women—a state lawmaker and three legislative staffers—didn’t work for Hill, they can’t sue him under federal laws meant to prevent workplace discrimination and retaliation.
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$50M HHGregg suit attacks insiders for accepting customer deposits to very end
The suit charges that accepting the deposits at a time HHGregg’s tailspin cast doubt on its ability to provide the merchandise saddled the company “with tens of millions of dollars in unwarranted and unnecessary liabilities and recklessly caused the permanent destruction of the company’s value as a going concern.”
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Articles
Greenwood man facing 19 charges in $14 million fraud case
Prosecutors say Daniel R. Fruits, 46, defrauded his former employer out of millions of dollars that he spent on real estate, cars, Rolex watches, escort services and other items.
Indiana’s limits on absentee balloting upheld by federal court
A motion for a preliminary injunction that would expand no-excuse absentee balloting in Indiana was denied in a Friday ruling in the Southern Indiana District Court. Judge James Hanlon found the restrictions on absentee balloting do not absolutely prohibit state residents from voting.
Federal judge orders counties to notify voters quickly when absentee ballots are rejected
The decision, issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker, comes just months before a general election in which large numbers of Hoosiers are expected to submit absentee ballots by mail.
Former employee pleads guilty in $4.5M Cummins fraud case
Prosecutors say the 54-year-old man diverted more than $4.5 million of money from Cummins and other companies over a nine-year period.
Indy towing operator charged with defrauding car owners in massive scheme
A federal grand jury indicted Brian Fenner of Indianapolis, and a partner, Dennis Birkey of Wisconsin, in an alleged scheme to fraudulently take title to other people's cars and then sell them for their own profit.
Pharmacy owner found guilty of manufacturing over-potent drugs sold to hospitals
Paul Elmer, former owner and CEO of Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals in Noblesville, was convicted in federal court of nine counts of adulterating drugs and one count of conspiracy. He was acquitted of an additional count of obstruction of justice.
Former Indy-area attorney pleads guilty to tax evasion
Scott C. Cole of Brownsburg took extensive steps for several years to avoid paying federal taxes owed from more than a decade before, according to his plea agreement.
Ex-employees to testify exec knew drugs were dangerous
Paul Elmer, who founded Pharmakon 16 years ago and shut it down three years ago, faces charges of adulterating compounded drugs, conspiracy and obstructing a U.S. FDA investigation.
Founders, employees of Westfield financial firm accused of $10M fraud
Prosecutors allege that the defendants engaged in a 13-year-long scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration.
Prosecutors want 6-1/2 year sentence for former Merrill Lynch adviser Thomas Buck
Merrill Lynch terminated Buck in 2015, citing “loss of confidence” in him after 34 years at the firm.
Woman posthumously wins $219K fair-housing suit against Indy landlord
An Indianapolis landlord has been ordered by a federal judge to pay nearly $220,000 for discriminating against and trying to evict a now-deceased woman who was recovering from an injury.
Fraud scheme’s ‘CFO’ gets 5 years in prison; lesser player gets 4 months
Steven Ganote, who prosecutors say was a key player in the massive American Senior Communities overbilling and kickback scheme, was also ordered to pay $7 million in restitution.
Three area business owners, former bank employee charged in $8M fraud schemes
The U.S. attorney’s office says five central Indiana residents and one man from Detroit took more than $8 million from a bank and an insurance company, in part to pay for a home, a wedding, cars and more.
Federal court agrees to hear Monarch affiliate’s case
The decision gives new life to efforts by Monarch, the state’s largest beer and wine distributor, to sell liquor in Indiana—efforts that have been shot down repeatedly by the Legislature and have led to several other lawsuits.
Convicted fraudster accuses attorney of secret relationship with his then wife
In an attempt to reopen his case, Keenan Hauke says Barnes and Thornburg partner Larry Mackey—who is now married to Hauke’s ex-wife—did not adequately represent him.
Indianapolis man sentenced to four years in prison on federal fraud charges
Prosecutors say the man defrauded a business out of nearly $600,000 by selling it fraudulent invoices.
City files suit against drug manufacturers over opioid epidemic
The suit names two dozen entities, including Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma LP—which produces OxyContin—as well as Cephalon Inc, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Judge rejects appeal from ex-Subway pitchman
An order from District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt called Jared Fogle’s claim that the court didn’t have jurisdiction to convict him “frivolous.”
Judge spares exec from prison in bribery case
Dilip Vadlamudi, the founder of Indianapolis-based Pyramid Technology Solutions, funneled money to a co-conspirator in return for millions of dollars of IT work.