Sentencing/Post Conviction

Lerach Battles to Get Community Service Hours for Teaching Law Class at UC Irvine

William Lerach, the federal felon and infamous securities lawyer who in 2007 pled guilty to conspiracy about an alleged kickback scheme, who completed the confinement portion of his sentence, and now wants to teach a class at the University of California, Irvine School of Law about free-market capitalism to fulfill…

Aug 9, 2010 8:12 PM CDT

Sentencing Delayed for Defendant as He Plays Poker in Restitution Effort

A professional poker player who pleaded guilty to securities fraud is getting a chance to repay his victims by playing the game. Samuel McMaster Jr. struck a plea deal with New Mexico authorities that will allow him to play poker—even travel out of state for tournaments—and make monthly restitution payments…

Aug 9, 2010 1:15 PM CDT

Driver in Fatal Toyota Crash Freed; Judge Cites Lawyer Errors in First Trial

A Minnesota man who spent 2½ years in jail for vehicular homicide in a fatal 2006 Toyota crash is a free man after his new lawyers questioned the original trial strategy in a hearing this week. Judge Joanne Smith of Ramsey County ruled Thursday that a new trial was warranted…

Aug 6, 2010 12:17 PM CDT

Lawyer Who Took Obstruction Plea in Med Mal Kickbacks Case Is Suspended

A Las Vegas lawyer who pleaded guilty to obstruction earlier this year concerning an alleged medical malpractice case kickbacks scheme has been temporarily suspended by the Nevada Supreme Court. Further attorney discipline proceedings will determine an appropriate sanction for Noel Gage, 72, who had been accused of participating in an…

Aug 5, 2010 9:01 PM CDT

Lawyer Accused of Robbing Bank to Pay Utility Bills, Other Living Expenses

For a decade or so, beginning in the late 1990s, attorney Peter Elliott allegedly siphoned some $2.5 million out of his client trust account to pay personal expenses. The Wisconsin lawyer pleaded guilty to one count of federal bank fraud, and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month. But…

Aug 4, 2010 6:25 PM CDT

Judge Pleads Guilty in Reckless Driving Case, But His Lawyer Blames Mechanical Problems

A suburban Chicago judge pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving and apologized today, after an alleged hit-and-run encounter with a parked vehicle on June 29, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. “I deeply regret my conduct in this matter and intend to rededicate myself to the principles and values in my life…

Aug 3, 2010 11:40 PM CDT

Convicted Ex-Federal Judge Complains He’s Being Treated Like Sex Offender, Seeks New Sentence

A former federal judge in Texas who admitted to nonconsensual sexual contact with court employees, although he pleaded guilty last year only to a related federal obstruction of justice charge, is now challenging prison conditions and seeking a new sentence. Samuel Kent says he is being treated like a sex…

Aug 3, 2010 8:34 PM CDT

Ex-Attorney Rothstein Owes $188M to 218 Ponzi Victims, But They’ll Get Far Less, Feds Say

Ex-attorney Scott Rothstein owes 218 victims of his Ponzi scheme about $188 million, federal prosecutors say. But they’ll likely get much less, since his assets are only a fraction of that sum, reports the South Florida Business Journal in its Scott Rothstein: Picking Up the Pieces blog. Meanwhile, Rothstein is…

Aug 3, 2010 6:41 PM CDT

Lawyer Gets 60 Days in Fatal Horse Neglect Case

Sentenced last year in state district court to six days in jail for fatally neglecting a horse and, the judge said, showing no remorse, a Maryland lawyer and his wife made things worse for themselves by appealing. Now Hilton and Donna Silver have been sentenced to 60 and 30 days,…

Aug 3, 2010 5:11 PM CDT

NM Governor Considers Pardoning Billy the Kid, Angering Sheriff’s Descendants

A possible pardon for Billy the Kid has brought protests from descendants of the sheriff who may have killed the outlaw. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has said he would consider a pardon, prompting a letter from three grandchildren of lawman Pat Garrett, according to the Associated Press, the El…

Aug 3, 2010 12:37 PM CDT

Convicted of Theft, Ex-Lawyer Is Now an Advocate for Others with Background Issues

Back when his income of over $100,000 a year seemed like chicken feed, attorney Michael Sweig decided to leave his law firm and hang out his own shingle. The result was disastrous. A major client didn’t pay a legal fee, and Sweig turned to the firm’s trust account for operating…

Aug 2, 2010 5:01 PM CDT

Innocent ‘Rapist’ Exonerated After 27 Years, Too Late to Pursue New Suspects ID’d By DNA

For the second time in a week, Texas prosecutors are calling for the release of a convicted rapist exonerated by DNA evidence after serving a lengthy prison term. After serving 27 years, Michael Anthony Green has put in more time than any other exonerated inmate convicted of rape, reports the…

Jul 28, 2010 9:54 PM CDT

Attorney Who Stole $346K to Set Sons Up in Law Practice Gets 1 Year in Jail

After pleading guilty to stealing over $346,000 in client trust funds, a Utah lawyer argued that he needed to keep working in order to pay restitution. But a Summit County judge sentenced 66-year-old Gary William Nielsen on Monday to a year in jail just the same, followed by six years…

Jul 28, 2010 5:45 PM CDT

Jeffs Wins Appeal of Rape Convictions Based on His Role as Minister at 14-Year-Old’s Wedding

Agreeing with defense lawyers that a claimed marital rape involving two teenagers hadn’t been properly focused upon in jury instructions, the Utah Supreme Court has overturned unusual felony accomplice rape convictions of a religious leader based on his role in promoting an underage marriage between an unwilling 14-year-old and her…

Jul 27, 2010 7:14 PM CDT

Conrad Black Released on Bond After Some $40M in Legal Bills; How Much More Can He Afford to Pay?

Freed today from a federal prison in Florida, onetime media mogul Conrad Black is seemingly potentially on track for a possible reversal of his fraud and obstruction of justice convictions. But a major roadblock remains: His legal fees. An estimated $40 million in defense costs for Black have been covered…

Jul 21, 2010 11:29 PM CDT