5th Circuit Court

Gag Order Lifted in Judge Kent Case; Congressman Opposes ‘Disability’ Plan

Over the objections of an attorney representing U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent in a criminal case, the federal jurist hearing the case today lifted an unusual gag order that had prevented those involved from commenting publicly. Kent pleaded guilty Monday to an obstruction count and announced his retirement from the…

Feb 27, 2009 12:22 AM CST

Why Didn’t SEC Move Faster in Stanford Case, Law Prof Wonders

What did the feds know about the operations of R. Allen Stanford, and when did the feds know it? That is essentially the question on the mind of law professor Peter Henning of Wayne State University. Writing in the DealBook blog of the New York Times today, he ponders parallels…

Feb 23, 2009 7:14 PM CST

SEC Looked Into Stanford CDs in 2005; Why Didn’t Feds Act Sooner in $8B Case?

In 2005, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sent letters to holders of certificates of deposit at Stanford International Bank of Antigua, seeking information about how the instruments had been marketed. And, as two former brokers for R. Allen Stanford contend in a lawsuit they filed in January 2008, they…

Feb 19, 2009 12:38 AM CST

Where is Billionaire Defendant, Following SEC Lawsuit?

Where is a 58-year-old Texas billionaire accused by securities regulators in civil litigation yesterday of operating a massive investment fraud? The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed the federal lawsuit in Dallas over $8 billion in certificates of deposit sold under dubious representations by a bank affiliated with his Stanford…

Feb 18, 2009 5:45 PM CST

Federal Judge Kent Lied About ‘Affair’ to Protect Lady, His Lawyer Says

A federal judge facing unprecedented criminal sexual abuse charges was simply being a gentleman when he lied, in an earlier judicial investigation, about what he now describes as an affair, his lawyer said today in court. However, attorney Dick DeGuerin was not successful in his attempt to persuade Senior U.S.…

Feb 18, 2009 1:36 AM CST

Texas Billionaire R. Allen Stanford Accused By SEC of Operating ‘Massive’ Fraud

A Texas billionaire who operates a Houston-based investment firm has been accused of running a “massive, ongoing fraud” by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In a civil complaint filed today in Dallas, the SEC accuses Robert Allen Stanford, businesses he controls and two officers of selling $8 billion in…

Feb 17, 2009 7:00 PM CST

Disbarred Lawyer, Former Miss. Auditor Get 2 Years in Scruggs-Related Case

In the latest chapter of a $26.5 million Hurricane Katrina legal-fees dispute that led to the downfall of former tort king Richard “Dickie” Scruggs and other professionals, a disbarred lawyer and a former Mississippi state auditor have each been sentenced to two-year federal prison terms. Ex-attorney Timothy Balducci and Steve…

Feb 14, 2009 1:50 AM CST

Miss. Judge is Federally Indicted in Scruggs-Related Corruption Case

A Mississippi judge who presided over a bitter multimillion-dollar legal fees dispute concerning asbestos litigation has been indicted for allegedly secretly funneling information about the case to one of the attorneys involved. Allegedly influenced by a promise of appointment to the federal bench, Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter is…

Feb 13, 2009 1:30 AM CST

Most of Roger Clemens Defamation Suit is Dismissed

Finding that trainer Brian McNamee would have faced potential prosecution if he didn’t cooperate with an investigation by Sen. George Mitchell on steroids use in Major League Baseball, a federal judge in Houston has dismissed most of the defamation suit filed against McNamee by star pitcher Roger Clemens. Statements made…

Feb 12, 2009 10:04 PM CST

Case Dropped Against Texas Girl, 12, Accused of Police Assault

A Texas girl, then 12, who was allegedly accused by Galveston police of being a prostitute and assaulted when she stepped outside her family home has herself escaped conviction on a criminal charge in the 2006 incident. A jury split 5-1, with all but one refusing to convict Dymond Larae…

Feb 10, 2009 11:15 PM CST

Scruggs II: Once-Renowned Trial Lawyer Pleads in Another Court Corruption Case

Already serving a five-year prison term for his role in a scheme to bribe a Mississippi judge concerning a dispute over Hurricane Katrina legal fees, once-renowned trial attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs pleaded guilty today in a federal mail-fraud case. “According to prosecutors, Scruggs was involved in a scheme ‘to deprive…

Feb 10, 2009 8:28 PM CST

Bickel & Brewer Satellite Office is a Pro Bono Powerhouse

At its satellite office in south Dallas, Bickel & Brewer has an unusual practice focus: pro bono work. But it reflects Bill Brewer and John Bickel’s longtime commitment to representing low-income clients. They decided to one day open a separate division to represent low-income clients about three years after they…

Feb 9, 2009 6:34 PM CST

Tech Clients Claim Foley & Lardner Overbilled, Underrepresented

Three tech company clients have sued Foley & Lardner, contending that the law firm overbilled them for unnecessary work and didn’t effectively pursue their case as plaintiffs in federal patent infringement case in the Eastern District of Texas. The suit seeks $1 million in damages, claiming that Foley breached a…

Feb 3, 2009 10:58 PM CST

Kindergartener Wins Court Battle Over Long Hair

A kindergartener in Texas may continue to wear his hair long, a federal judge has ruled, apparently finding that the school district’s policy of requiring the child to conceal his braids and isolating him in special classes when he didn’t do so violated his constitutional rights. The father of five-year-old…

Jan 22, 2009 10:42 PM CST

Insurer Drops Smoke = ‘Pollution’ Claim in $25M Fatal Office Fire Litigation

An insurance company fighting to avoid paying a claim in a fatal Houston 2007 office fire that could involve damages of $25 million is reportedly dropping its effort to apply the pollution exclusion in its policy for the property to the smoke, fumes and soot that killed three people. But…

Jan 22, 2009 5:29 PM CST