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.
U.S. District Court
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.
$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.”
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.
Monarch Beverage loses appeal to buck state liquor laws
The Indianapolis-based alcohol wholesaler had challenged Indiana laws that prevent beer wholesalers from also selling liquor.
Court: Civil Rights law prohibits workplace discrimination of LGBT
The decision in an Indiana case by the full 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes just three weeks after a three-judge panel in Atlanta ruled the opposite, which sets up a likely battle before the Supreme Court.
Judge’s ruling ends civil suit against former Irwin Union bank officers
An Indianapolis judge has ruled in favor of three former Irwin Union Bank & Trust Co. executives, closing the book on a civil suit that the bank’s bankruptcy trustee originally filed in 2011.
Former utility CEO sentenced to 33 months in prison
Donnis Mizelle, 56, pleaded guilty to embezzling $580,000 from an Avon-based utility and using the money for personal expenses, including vacations, jewelry and a Mother’s Day brunch.
Former controller of Estridge Homes accused of $364K fraud scheme
Thomas Carter of Fishers has been charged with bank fraud after allegedly siphoning funds from his employer for more than three years.
Judge rules in favor of scorned e-liquid manufacturer in vaping case
The state has not determined whether it will appeal the ruling to grant a preliminary injunction in the case. The ruling only affects one company.