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But Where Would You Get That Can of Cranberry Sauce At the Last Minute?
In the fine spirit of giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is investigating whether supermarkets opened on Nov. 24 — Thankgiving Day — in violation of the Commonwealth’s long-standing Blue Laws prohibiting such crass commecialism (Christmas and New Year’s Day receive the same protection). If such a…
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Congressional Corruption Investigation Expands
The recent plea agreement of Michael Scanlon, a former partner of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, appears to be one part of a broader investigation of potentially corrupt campaign contributions and gifts to a number of elected officials and congressional staff. A Wall Street Journal article (here) notes that in addition to Reps. Tom DeLay and Bob…
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The Ol’ “Advance-Copy-of-Business-Week” Insider Trading Scheme
Former broker David Pajcin was arrested in New York for insider trading based on receiving advance copies of issues of Business Week and trading in stocks touted in the magazine’s "Inside Wall Street" column. This is a type of scheme that has been tried with alarming regularity since the 1980s, particularly with Business Week, although…
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Keeping Dave Duncan Away From the Enron Defendants
In addition to the government’s motion to dismiss the obstruction of justice charge (with prejudice) against Arthur Andersen, the Enron Task Force is not opposing a motion by former Andersen audit partner Dave Duncan to withdraw his plea agreement to an obstruction of justice charge. Duncan’s position is that he admitted to the same crime…
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Lawyer Charged with Leading Insurance Fraud Ring
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced charges against Bernard Laufer, a lawyer in Huntington Park (CA), and 22 others for faking auto accidents and filing insurance claims that cost up to $3 million. A press release by the Department of Insurance (here) describes the scheme: During the course of the resulting probe, investigators found evidence…
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Happy Thanksgiving
Amidst all the talk of investigations, indictments, convictions and acquittals, sentencings, and the like, it’s easy to forget how much we have to be thankful for. In the past year of doing this blog, we’ve met lots of new people and formed cyber-friendships with readers and bloggers. For what it’s worth, here are a few…
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Michael Rigas Faces Jail Time
According to CNN (here), Michael Rigas, the former COO of Adelphia Communications, plead guilty to signing a false statement in an agreement that recommends a sentence of 6-12 months. The founder and former CEO of Adelphia Communications, John Rigas, previously received a 15-year term of imprisonment, while his son Timothy received a 20-year sentence (see…
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Tom DeLay is Learning that Justice Moves Slowly
Tom DeLay is having his first lesson on speed in the courts and the slow judicial process. According to the Wall St Jrl. here, DeLay will have to file written arguments on his Motion to Dismiss and the court will then rule on the motion. Dick DeGuerin, Delay’s attorney, is stressing the importance of speed…
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Investigating Abramoff
An interesting aspect of the plea agreement that Michael Scanlon entered into with the government (available here on Findlaw) is the fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida signed off along with DOJ’s Public Integrity and Fraud Sections, which have been investigating lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s dealings with Congress. Abramoff was…
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Sentences in Piracy Cases
For those who are afraid that the Booker case will cause white collar offenders to be placed on the streets, as opposed to being behind bars, the Eighth Circuit’s ruling in a software piracy case should put those fears to rest. Professor Doug Berman in his superb sentencing blog here discusses the court’s recent opinion…
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