conspiracy - JDJournal Blog https://www.jdjournal.com Wed, 10 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 Pfizer's Wyeth Settles Effexor XR Antitrust Case for $39 Million https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/04/10/pfizers-wyeth-settles-effexor-xr-antitrust-case-for-39-million/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/04/10/pfizers-wyeth-settles-effexor-xr-antitrust-case-for-39-million/#respond Wed, 10 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=136157 Pfizer subsidiary Wyeth has agreed to a $39 million settlement in a long-standing antitrust case related to its antidepressant drug Effexor XR. The settlement aims to resolve claims that Wyeth conspired with rival Teva to delay the launch of a cheaper generic version of the drug. Want to know if you’re earning what you deserve? […]

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Pfizer subsidiary Wyeth has agreed to a $39 million settlement in a long-standing antitrust case related to its antidepressant drug Effexor XR. The settlement aims to resolve claims that Wyeth conspired with rival Teva to delay the launch of a cheaper generic version of the drug.

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Background and Settlement Terms

Plaintiffs, including drug purchasers like Rochester Drug Co-Operative and Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings, revealed the proposed settlement terms in a filing in New Jersey federal court. If approved, the settlement would put an end to over 12 years of litigation, with Wyeth denying any violation of antitrust laws. However, the case against Teva will continue despite the settlement with Wyeth.

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Response and Implications

Pfizer defended the settlement as fair, reasonable, and the best way to resolve the litigation, while Teva and the plaintiffs’ attorneys remained silent on the matter. The settlement is seen as a way to avoid further litigation costs and risks associated with a trial.

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Allegations and Legal Proceedings

The lawsuit alleged that Wyeth and Teva engaged in anticompetitive behavior, artificially inflating the prices of Effexor XR by delaying the market entry of generic alternatives. Wyeth was accused of making a “reverse payment” to Teva to suppress competition. Although Wyeth initially succeeded in dismissing the claims in 2014, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the allegations three years later.

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Continuing Actions

While some retailer plaintiffs have settled their individual actions against Wyeth, others like Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Meijer, and Rite Aid plan to continue litigating their claims against Teva. Attorneys for the direct purchaser plaintiffs seek up to one-third of the settlement fund, amounting to approximately $13 million, in legal fees.

In summary, the settlement marks a significant development in the Effexor XR antitrust case, providing a resolution for Wyeth while the litigation against Teva persists.

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Legal Case Details:

In re: Effexor XR Antitrust Litigation, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, No. 3:11-cv-05479-PGS-JBD.

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Representation:

For direct purchaser plaintiffs: Thomas Sobol of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro; David Sorensen of Berger Montague; Peter Kohn of Faruqi & Faruqi; Barry Taus of Taus, Cebulash & Landau; Dianne Nast of Nastlaw; and Don Barrett of Barrett Law Group.

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Allegations of Legal Misconduct: Lewis Brisbois Accused in EB-5 Investment Case https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/03/27/allegations-of-legal-misconduct-lewis-brisbois-accused-in-eb-5-investment-case/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/03/27/allegations-of-legal-misconduct-lewis-brisbois-accused-in-eb-5-investment-case/#respond Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:08:00 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=136008 A recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has brought significant allegations against prominent law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. The lawsuit accuses the firm of failing to protect 185 Chinese investors who collectively lost $92.5 million in investments made through the CMB Export investment group. These […]

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A recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has brought significant allegations against prominent law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. The lawsuit accuses the firm of failing to protect 185 Chinese investors who collectively lost $92.5 million in investments made through the CMB Export investment group. These investors had participated in a hotel and condominium project, aiming to qualify for the federal EB-5 visa program.

Background: The EB-5 Investment Project

CMB Export, acting as a junior mezzanine lender, had contributed a total of $450 million to the $2.5 billion project. Each investor, through investments of $500,000, sought qualification for the EB-5 visa program. However, despite their investments, these individuals have received no repayment or profits, resulting in a complete loss of their capital.

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Allegations Against Lewis Brisbois

The lawsuit claims that Lewis Brisbois, representing CMB Export, failed to fulfill its duties to protect the investors and instead engaged in actions to conceal mistakes. The plaintiffs allege malpractice and aiding CMB’s breach of fiduciary duty, further asserting a RICO conspiracy between Lewis Brisbois and CMB to deflect blame.

Legal Failures and Concealment

According to the lawsuit, Lewis Brisbois and CMB neglected to negotiate protective clauses in loan agreements and failed to recognize unfavorable lending terms. Despite being aware of the project’s risks, they allegedly failed to take appropriate actions to safeguard the investors’ interests, such as negotiating an extension of loan maturity dates.

Sham Lawsuits and Concealed Nature of Litigation

In response to foreclosure notices, Lewis Brisbois filed what the investors describe as meritless lawsuits in California and New York. These lawsuits, according to the plaintiffs, aimed to shift blame onto senior lenders and distract from their own failures. Furthermore, CMB continued to fund legal proceedings, concealing the true nature of the litigation from investors.

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Ongoing Response and Silence

While Lewis Brisbois has acknowledged the allegations, they have yet to provide detailed responses, citing their policy of not commenting on claims against clients or the firm. The spokesperson informed Law360 that they are currently preparing their response to the accusations.

In summary, the lawsuit alleges serious misconduct on the part of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, accusing them of negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy to cover up mistakes at the expense of the 185 Chinese investors. As the case unfolds, it sheds light on the complexities and risks associated with investment projects like the EB-5 visa program, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and transparency in legal representation.

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U.S. Department of Justice Charges Iranian Trafficker and Canadian Nationals in Murder-for-Hire Scheme https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/01/30/u-s-department-of-justice-charges-iranian-trafficker-and-canadian-nationals-in-murder-for-hire-scheme/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/01/30/u-s-department-of-justice-charges-iranian-trafficker-and-canadian-nationals-in-murder-for-hire-scheme/#respond Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:10:00 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=135076 The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made headlines on Monday by unveiling charges against an Iranian narcotics trafficker and two Canadian citizens for their alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire conspiracy targeting individuals residing in Maryland. The accused are Naji Sharifi Zindashti from Iran and Canadians Damion Ryan and Adam Pearson. Significance of the Case The […]

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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made headlines on Monday by unveiling charges against an Iranian narcotics trafficker and two Canadian citizens for their alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire conspiracy targeting individuals residing in Maryland. The accused are Naji Sharifi Zindashti from Iran and Canadians Damion Ryan and Adam Pearson.

Significance of the Case

The Justice Department underscored the significance of this case, emphasizing that the intended victims had sought refuge in the United States following defection from Iran. This highlights the international implications of the alleged plot.

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Details of the Case

According to federal prosecutors, the trio stands accused of conspiring to utilize interstate commerce for the execution of the murder-for-hire scheme. They could face a maximum sentence of ten years in prison if convicted. The indictment alleges that the plot was orchestrated between December 2020 and March 2021, with communication facilitated through SkyECC, an encrypted messaging app.

The indictment further reveals chilling details of the plot, including discussions of methods such as shooting the victim multiple times to send a message and cover expenses for the operation.

Financial Incentives and Communication

Zindashti and Ryan purportedly agreed upon payment of $350,000 for the murders, with an additional $20,000 designated for covering expenses. Notably, this sum was transferred to Ryan in early March by an unidentified co-conspirator, who also provided pertinent information and images of the intended targets.

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Official Response and Warning

Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen issued a stern warning in response to the charges, cautioning individuals involved in such nefarious activities, particularly those with ties to Iran. The charges serve as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting those who conspire to commit crimes on U.S. soil.

Background of the Accused

The indictment sheds light on Ryan’s affiliation with the Hells Angels motorcycle group, labeling him as a “full-patch member” with a history of involvement in firearms and drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Treasury, in announcing sanctions against Zindashti and his associates, highlighted the extensive network’s connections to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, suggesting a broader nexus to state-sponsored repression.

Conclusion and Ongoing Concerns

While the DOJ refrained from explicitly implicating Iranian government officials, the Treasury Department’s assertions point to the more enormous geopolitical implications of the case. The allegations underscore the persistent challenges transnational criminal networks pose and the imperative of international cooperation in combating such threats.

Further Exploration

This case resonates within broader discussions surrounding geopolitical tensions, underscoring the need for proactive measures to address state-sponsored activities that undermine global security. As developments unfold, it prompt deeper scrutiny into the dynamics between nations and the measures required to safeguard against similar incidents in the future.

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Former Colleagues and Law Firm Dismissed from Civil Suit Alleging Conspiracy https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/01/08/former-colleagues-and-law-firm-dismissed-from-civil-suit-alleging-conspiracy/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2024/01/08/former-colleagues-and-law-firm-dismissed-from-civil-suit-alleging-conspiracy/#respond Mon, 08 Jan 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=134633 Former colleagues of convicted killer Alex Murdaugh, along with the law firm that once employed them, have been dismissed from a civil suit that alleges lousy faith and a conspiracy. The suit claims that these actions resulted in depriving a law firm client of settlement funds. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a government-run […]

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Former colleagues of convicted killer Alex Murdaugh, along with the law firm that once employed them, have been dismissed from a civil suit that alleges lousy faith and a conspiracy. The suit claims that these actions resulted in depriving a law firm client of settlement funds. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a government-run hospital system, has also been removed as a defendant.

Dismissed Defendants and Stipulation of Dismissal

According to a stipulation of dismissal filed in Hampton County, South Carolina, on January 3, 2024, attorneys on both sides of the complaint reached an agreement to dismiss attorney Ronnie Crosby, attorney William Barnes III, and the law firm previously known as Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Elzroth & Detrick (PMPED). However, Alex Murdaugh, disgraced banker Russell Laffitte, and the financial institution he formerly led, Palmetto State Bank (PSB), remain defendants in the ongoing litigation.

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Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, initially filed in October 2022, centers around the belief that Manuel Santis-Cristiani, a resident of Chiapas, Mexico, was not fully compensated after Murdaugh and PMPED negotiated the outcome of a product liability lawsuit on his behalf following a 2008 motor vehicle accident in Colleton County.

Allegations and Discrepancy in Settlement Funds

Blanca Simpson, a Murdaugh associate who acted as a translator during mediation, played a crucial role in the case. She was at the bank on November 15, 2016, when Russell Laffitte wired settlement funds to Santis-Cristiani. Court filings reveal that Simpson noticed a discrepancy between the amount referenced in the settlement agreement and the amount paid to Santis-Cristiani. PMPED later discovered that $70,000 intended to cover Santis-Cristiani’s medical bills had been stolen by Alex Murdaugh. Following the lawsuit, PMPED placed the missing money in escrow, and MUSC became interpleaders.

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Resolution and Stipulation Conditions

As part of the stipulation of dismissal, Santis-Cristiani and his attorneys will receive the entire $70,000 initially withheld. The case had been scheduled for a motion hearing in Hampton County on January 16, 2024, in the courtroom of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Carmen Mullen. However, with the law firm defendants now dismissed, it remains uncertain whether the hearing will proceed. Moreover, questions arise about Judge Mullen’s potential conflict of interest, given her implication in questionable settlements tied to Murdaugh’s firm.

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Alleged Conspiracy by Apple, Visa, and Mastercard Sparks Class Action Lawsuit https://www.jdjournal.com/2023/12/15/alleged-conspiracy-by-apple-visa-and-mastercard-sparks-class-action-lawsuit/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2023/12/15/alleged-conspiracy-by-apple-visa-and-mastercard-sparks-class-action-lawsuit/#respond Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=134293 A proposed class action has been filed against tech giant Apple and credit card giants Visa and Mastercard. Mirage Wine & Spirits, a beverage retailer, claims that the trio conspired to stifle competition in point-of-sale payment card network services, resulting in inflated fees for merchant credit and debit transactions. Unlawful Agreements: Mirage Wine & Spirits […]

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A proposed class action has been filed against tech giant Apple and credit card giants Visa and Mastercard. Mirage Wine & Spirits, a beverage retailer, claims that the trio conspired to stifle competition in point-of-sale payment card network services, resulting in inflated fees for merchant credit and debit transactions.

Unlawful Agreements:
Mirage Wine & Spirits alleges that Apple entered unlawful agreements with Visa and Mastercard, effectively refraining from competing with these credit card companies. The complaint, filed in East St. Louis, Illinois, suggests that in exchange, Visa and Mastercard paid Apple a portion of transaction fees for purchases made on their networks through Apple’s Mobile Wallet service.

Financial Incentives:
According to the lawsuit, Apple received what the complaint terms as a “very large and ongoing cash bribe” from Visa and Mastercard, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This alleged financial arrangement is a means to secure Apple’s cooperation in not competing in the mobile payment sector.

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Android Comparison:
The lawsuit draws attention to the contrast between Apple and Google, highlighting that Android-based devices permit third-party mobile wallets, unlike Apple’s iPhones. This distinction adds weight to the argument that Apple’s practices hinder competition in the mobile payment landscape.

Silent Responses:
Currently, Apple, Visa, and Mastercard representatives have not provided immediate comments on the allegations. The legal team representing Mirage Wine & Spirits has also refrained from quick commentary. On behalf of “at least many thousands” of merchants, the proposed class action seeks triple damages under U.S. antitrust law.

Ongoing Legal Battles:
This is not the first time Apple has been entangled in payments-related legal disputes. Earlier this year, a U.S. judge ruled that Apple must face claims from payment card issuers alleging coercion of iPhone users into using Apple Pay. In a separate case, peer-to-peer payment platforms Venmo and Cash App accused Apple of stifling competition.

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EU Antitrust Concerns:
Apple is also grappling with antitrust issues in Europe. Last year, EU regulators accused the company of obstructing rivals’ access to tap-and-go transaction technology. Recent reports suggest Apple has proposed allowing rivals access to its mobile payments systems to address these concerns.

Antitrust Claims Against Visa and Mastercard:
Visa and Mastercard, independent of the Apple lawsuit, have faced numerous antitrust claims from merchants related to transaction fees. A U.S. appeals court recently upheld a $5.6 billion antitrust class-action settlement involving over 12 million retailers, who argued that the credit card companies unlawfully fixed fees for credit and debit cards.

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Queens Lawyer Scott Brettschneider Made Up Client’s Drug Addiction https://www.jdjournal.com/2018/03/27/queens-lawyer-scott-brettschneider-made-up-clients-drug-addiction/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2018/03/27/queens-lawyer-scott-brettschneider-made-up-clients-drug-addiction/#respond Tue, 27 Mar 2018 22:21:10 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=119804 Summary: A New York lawyer who made up a client’s drug problems to get his client out of prison early is now facing prison time himself. A Queens criminal-defense lawyer is accused of crossing the line in order to get his client out of prison. Scott Brettschneider, 61, is accused by Brooklyn federal prosecutors of […]

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Brett Schneider

Summary: A New York lawyer who made up a client’s drug problems to get his client out of prison early is now facing prison time himself.

A Queens criminal-defense lawyer is accused of crossing the line in order to get his client out of prison. Scott Brettschneider, 61, is accused by Brooklyn federal prosecutors of fabricating a story about his client’s drug problem so that his client could be released from prison early, according to the NY Daily News.

Brettschneider, known as “Mighty Whitey,” has been a successful attorney in Brooklyn, helping numerous people with wrongful convictions, including Wayne Martin and Derrick Hamilton. Now the attorney is facing his own prison time that he won’t be able to lie his way out of. Brettschneider faces up to five years in prison for making a false statement and conspiracy. There are three other men charged in the newly unsealed indictment – Charles Gallman, 56, and Reginald Shabazz-Muhammad, 62, of Queens and Richard Marshall, 56, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Prosecutors were seeking restrictive bail conditions for the attorney, who was overheard on wiretaps talking about a scheme that included bribing a witness to recant in another unrelated case, believing that it could result in an overturned conviction leading to a civil suit, according to AM New York.

William Sweeney, head of the New York FBI office, said, “Petitioning to send a known drug dealer back onto our streets before his sentence is served, and providing false documentation to prove he’s eligible for early release, is a reckless prospect that risks the well-being of society as a whole.”

Brettschneider’s client, Richard Marshall, was in prison for crack cocaine distribution, serving a 36-month sentence, but did not have any drug or alcohol problems. The prosecutors allege that Brettschneider was involved in a 2014 letter that his assistant, Shabazz-Muhammad, wrote where he claimed to be Marshall’s treatment provider. The letter was intended as a certification of his substance abuse so he could be released from prison early and entered into a residential treatment program.

Marshall asked Brettschneider to get the letter stating he was dependent on marijuana and alcohol. Shabazz-Muhammad signed the letter, posing as the treatment provider. Gallman was a middleman in the scheme. Gallman had been under investigation by the Queens district attorney’s office since 2014, indicted in 2015. He is the other person heard talking with Brettschneider about getting “a false witness recantation to a prospective client.”

Prosecutors added, “The two men started dreaming about how many millions of dollars the civil case would bring. Brettschneider thought they could get a third of $22,000,000, agreeing with Gallman that it could be their ‘retirement money.’”

Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue stated the lawyer, “participated in a scheme to gain a narcotics trafficker early release from prison by falsely informing the Bureau of Prisons that he was a candidate for a drug rehab program.”

He has pleaded not guilty, posting a $500,000 bond to be released from custody. His attorney, Ray Perini, stated his client’s status within the legal circle would help be vindicated at trial. Perini said, “It’s my intention to get his reputation back by going to trial and getting an acquittal.”

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To learn more attorneys caught in a lie, read these articles:

Photo: theepochtimes.com

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Three Chicago Cops Indicted for Conspiracy in Shooting of Laquan McDonald https://www.jdjournal.com/2017/06/27/three-chicago-cops-indicted-for-conspiracy-in-shooting-of-laquan-mcdonald/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2017/06/27/three-chicago-cops-indicted-for-conspiracy-in-shooting-of-laquan-mcdonald/#respond Wed, 28 Jun 2017 01:28:57 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=112481 Summary: Three former Chicago police officers have been charged with conspiring to cover-up the truth in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald. Three Chicago police officers involved in the shooting of Laquan McDonald have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to cover up for the officer responsible for shooting the 17-year-old. Officers claimed that McDonald ignored […]

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Laquan McDonald

Summary: Three former Chicago police officers have been charged with conspiring to cover-up the truth in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

Three Chicago police officers involved in the shooting of Laquan McDonald have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to cover up for the officer responsible for shooting the 17-year-old. Officers claimed that McDonald ignored repeated calls from Van Dyke to drop the knife, posing a threat to others. Police had been called to the area after reports of someone breaking into vehicles came in. Toxicology results found PCP in McDonald’s blood and urine.

Officer Jason Van Dyke’s partner on the night McDonald was shot in 2014, Joseph Walsh and fellow patrol officer Thomas Gaffney, as well as detective David March, were charged with conspiracy, official misconduct, and obstruction of justice.

Special prosecutor Patricia Brown Holmes said, “The indictment makes clear that these defendants did more than merely obey an unofficial ‘code of silence,’ rather it alleges that they lied about what occurred to prevent independent criminal investigators from learning the truth.”

Dashcam footage of the shooting showed the teen being shot 16 times as he walked away from officers while brandishing a knife in his hand. Van Dyke started shooting the moment he got out of his patrol car, not stopping when McDonald fell to the ground. Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in November 2015, the same day the police dashcam video was released to the public. He is still awaiting trial with a  not guilty plea.

The accounts of what happened that night differed greatly between the dashcam footage and the officers. The indictment claims that the lead detective, March, as well as Walsh and Gaffney made false police reports, obstructed justice and ignored contrary evidence in an effort “to shield” Van Dyke from the criminal investigation and possible prosecution.

March has already left the department when a report by the city inspector general accused him of falsely telling the Cook County medical examiner’s office that McDonald lunged at Van Dyke as well as giving other false statements. He had been with the department for over 30 years. March claimed that his own investigation determined that the officers’ actions were “absolutely proper,” emphasizing that the department’s stance only changed after the video was released to the public.

The inspector general’s investigation determined that Walsh made a number of false statements and material omissions in his interview with police and the Independent Police Review Authority. Overall the inspector general found that all three wrote up police reports just hours after the incident. Their false statements included that Van Dyke had been injured by McDonald, who was swinging a knife “in an aggressive manner.”

The men are also accused of failing to find at least three witnesses that would be able to present a different version of the events. March specifically “failed to locate, identify, and preserve physical evidence … including video and photographic evidence.”

Walsh and Gaffney had been with the department for around 20 years each. Walsh has also left the department. Gaffney is “suspended because of the felony indictment, according to the department.”

Holmes was appointed nearly a year ago to look into whether officers were trying to cover up or lie about Van Dyke’s actions. She added, “Officer Van Dyke’s case is totally separate from this case. This grand jury investigation is a totally separate grand jury investigation from Office Van Dyke’s case. This case stands alone.”

Do you think a “code of silence” is a norm in any job? Tell us in the comments below.

To learn more about Chicago’s police problems, read these articles:

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

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Richard Roberts and Gerald Saluti Jr. Indicted for Stealing $140,000 https://www.jdjournal.com/2017/05/18/richard-roberts-and-gerald-saluti-jr-indicted-for-stealing-140000/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2017/05/18/richard-roberts-and-gerald-saluti-jr-indicted-for-stealing-140000/#respond Thu, 18 May 2017 21:20:41 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=111511 Summary: Two New Jersey attorneys have been indicted for stealing $140,000 from their clients. Two New Jersey law firm partners were indicted this week for using their clients’ money as their own personal piggy bank. According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, Richard M. Roberts, 79, and Gerald M. Saluti Jr., 49, stole over […]

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Summary: Two New Jersey attorneys have been indicted for stealing $140,000 from their clients.

Two New Jersey law firm partners were indicted this week for using their clients’ money as their own personal piggy bank. According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, Richard M. Roberts, 79, and Gerald M. Saluti Jr., 49, stole over $140,000 from four clients.

“We allege that Roberts and Saluti crookedly betrayed the trust of their clients and stole from them,” Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said. “Lawyers take an oath to faithfully serve their clients’ interests and uphold the law, but we charge that these men made a mockery of those obligations.”

On Monday, the owners of Newark’s Saluti Law Group were indicted by a state grand jury for stealing more than $140,000 from their unsuspecting clients. They were charged with conspiracy, theft by failure make required disposition of property received, hindering apprehension or prosecution, and perjury.

The two Jersey boys allegedly schemed to steal the six figures from four clients from October 2012 through August 2013. After the clients were given settlement awards, their money was placed in the firm’s attorney trust account, which Roberts and Saluti dipped into to pay their personal expenses, which ranged from credit card bills to car payments.

Roberts allegedly took $20,000 to pay his ex-wife’s alimony. The attorney was a prosecutor in the 1970s, and according to The Associated Press, he was even portrayed in the 2007 movie “American Gangster” by Oscar-winner Russell Crowe. Now it appears that Roberts is an American thief.

“Attorneys have a duty to ensure that funds placed in their attorney trust accounts are strictly accounted for and handled in accordance with their fiduciary relationship to their clients,” said Elie Honig, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We allege that Roberts and Saluti instead treated their attorney trust account like a personal slush fund that they spent on everything from cars and entertainment to, in Roberts’ case, paying alimony.”

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office said that Roberts and Saluti were charged with hindering and perjury because they lied to the police and provided false testimony while under oath. When questioned by law enforcement, the two men had tried to blame the theft on their office administrator Gabriel Iannacone, when in fact, the two men had worked with Iannacone to improperly withdraw money from the client trust fund.

On January 23, Iannacone pled guilty to third-degree conspiracy to commit theft by failure to make required disposition of property received. His sentence is pending.

The Attorney General’s Office said that more charges may be filed against Roberts and Saluti, and both men have had their law licenses suspended in the state. In August of 2013, they dissolved their partnership, Roberts & Saluti LLC. They had been doing business as Saluti Law Group.

The suspended attorneys face five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

Below is wallpaper art from American Gangster, where Russell Crowe played “Richie Roberts.”

Source: New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

Photo courtesy of New Jersey Law Journal & Photo Pics

What do you think of these two attorneys? Let us know in the comments below.

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John Chambers Charged with Bribery and Conspiracy in NYPD Gun Permit Scandal https://www.jdjournal.com/2017/04/26/john-chambers-charged-with-bribery-and-conspiracy-in-nypd-gun-permit-scandal/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2017/04/26/john-chambers-charged-with-bribery-and-conspiracy-in-nypd-gun-permit-scandal/#respond Thu, 27 Apr 2017 05:59:57 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=110962 Summary: The details of the bribes-for-permits scandal involving NYPD police officers and a self-proclaimed gun lawyer to the stars are emerging. More details have emerged about the lawyer charged alongside three NYPD officers in a gun permit scheme involving bribes for expedited gun permits. John Chambers proclaims himself to be the best gun lawyer. The […]

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John Chambers

Summary: The details of the bribes-for-permits scandal involving NYPD police officers and a self-proclaimed gun lawyer to the stars are emerging.

More details have emerged about the lawyer charged alongside three NYPD officers in a gun permit scheme involving bribes for expedited gun permits. John Chambers proclaims himself to be the best gun lawyer. The truth is emerging about his role in a scheme that gave out gun permits to those that could pay, many to those with criminal records.

To learn more about this case, read Three Former NYPD Officers and Lawyer Arrested.

Chambers, 62, is a former Brooklyn prosecutor, giving him the experience and connections to pull off a scheme which allowed to have an NYPD cop on his payroll. He used his NYPD connection to secure expedited gun permits for his clients, including smoothing out any legal problems that may have interfered with them getting a permit.

His website claims he is “the ONLY lawyer specializing in gun licensing EXCLUSIVELY” and the “Top Firearms Licensing Attorney in NY.” He brags about a client list that includes movie stars, artists, NY Times bestselling authors, Saturday Night Live alum, and radio personalities. He backs up these claims with a photo with conservative commentator and writer Ann Coulter on his site. In the photo, the two are at an indoor firing range, each aiming a gun and wearing shooting earmuffs. She states that she has never hired him to represent her but that the picture is a nice one.

Authorities charged Chambers with bribery and conspiracy in a Manhattan federal court. They allege that gave “numerous valuable items” to ex-cop David Villanueva between 2010 and 2015. These items include Broadway tickets, restaurant meals, an $8,000 Paul Picot watch, and sporting event tickets. Villanueva, who is cooperating with investigators, was tasked with making sure the clients received their renewed gun permits in one day or less. Generally, the process can take 30 to 40 days, according to court papers.

Villanueva also helped incident investigations move along where Chambers’ clients may not have been able to secure a permit, making sure the end result was a “beneficial resolution.” The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Villanueva assisted in at least 12 renewals and between 50 and 100 NYPD incident investigations for clients that had records that would not have allowed them to have a gun.

The allegations continue, stating that Chamber used Villanueva’s connections with the Nassau County Police Department to help his clients. For these connections that led to three expedited renewals, Chambers gave Villanueva $1,500 in cash hidden inside magazines. A test message Chambers sent Villanueva in 2014 says, “If we play our cards right, you could potentially be looking at an extra 10K in cash in a 12 month period, give or take…just for being my Nassau Co. ‘consultant.’”

Chambers was released on $100,000 bond. He has retained defense lawyer Barry Slotnick, who said, “I’m confident that his case will either be dismissed or a jury will bring in a not guilty verdict.”

Do you think attorneys should be able to discuss who their clients are or is it a breach of confidentiality? Tell us in the comments below.

To learn more about lawyers that tried bribery, read these articles:

Photo: nygun.com

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Family of San Bernardino Shooters Charged with Fraud https://www.jdjournal.com/2016/04/28/family-of-san-bernardino-shooters-charged-with-fraud/ https://www.jdjournal.com/2016/04/28/family-of-san-bernardino-shooters-charged-with-fraud/#respond Thu, 28 Apr 2016 20:45:04 +0000 https://www.jdjournal.com/?p=103882 Summary: The family members of the San Bernardino mass shooters have been found to be involved in marriage fraud and other related charges. San Bernardino mass shooter Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people at a holiday party back in December. Now his brother Syed Raheel Farook and two women are […]

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Syed Raheel Farook

Summary: The family members of the San Bernardino mass shooters have been found to be involved in marriage fraud and other related charges.

San Bernardino mass shooter Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people at a holiday party back in December. Now his brother Syed Raheel Farook and two women are facing charges of federal conspiracy, making false statements, and marriage fraud.

Read San Bernardino Shooters’ Family Lawyered Up to learn more.

The investigation into Syed Raheel Farook, a US Navy veteran, began after the massacre. The three were arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents with an indictment for conspiracy to make a false statement to immigration officials while under oath. The investigation found that Enrique Marquez, a friend of Syed Raheel Farook, agreed to marry Mariya Chernykh, the sister of Syed Raheel Farook’s wife, in 2014. She was a Russian citizen that needed to be married so she could apply for permanent residence in the United States. She has also been charged with fraud and two counts of making material false statements.

See Why Is Apple Refusing to Unlock the San Bernardino Shooter’s Phone?

Chernykh submitted paperwork to the immigration office stating that she lived in Corona with Marquez when in reality she lives in Ontario with her child and another man. Syed Raheel Farook and his wife Tatiana Farook had setup photos of the two to make it appear that they were married, even creating a joint bank account for them.

Read Third Party Might Hack Alleged San Bernardino Shooter’s iPhone for Apple.

Marquez had been charged on December 18 for conspiring with Syed Rizwan Farook to support a militant attack in Southern California in 2011 and 2012 that was never followed through with. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Chernykh may face up to 25 years in prison and deportation if convicted on all charges. Syed Raheel Farook and Tatiana Farook will face up to five years in prison each of convicted of conspiracy.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting-warrants-idUSKCN0XP2EI

Photo: truthuncensored.net

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