USA Archive - Law Commentary

A man in a suit stands in front of a Project Veritas banner, appearing confident during a public event.

Project Veritas to Pay $120,000 After Infiltrating Democratic Consulting Group

Conservative activist group Project Veritas has been ordered by a federal jury to pay consultation group Democracy Partners $120,000. The judgment comes after Democracy Partners accused Project Veritas and its founder James O'Keefe of using deceptive tactics, fraudulently misrepresenting his organization, and violating wiretapping laws. Democracy Partners accused Project Veritas... Read More about Project Veritas to Pay $120,000 After Infiltrating Democratic Consulting Group

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger speaking at a press conference about charges related to a massive pandemic relief fraud case.

DOJ Announces Charges Following the “Biggest” Pandemic Relief Fraud

The Department of Justice has announced charges against 48 individuals in what is being dubbed the largest pandemic relief fraud in the United States. After an eight-month-long investigation, federal authorities uncovered a number of individuals and organizations connected to the Minneapolis-based nonprofit group, Feeding our Future. It was through this... Read More about DOJ Announces Charges Following the “Biggest” Pandemic Relief Fraud

Sign at Camp Lejeune, a North Carolina Marine Corps base, which was affected by significant water contamination.

Fed Facing Thousands of Lawsuits Alleging Cancer, Other Illnesses Caused by Camp LeJeune Water Contamination

North Carolina Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune was host to one of the worst cases of water contamination in United States history. The contamination also affected the nearby Marine air station at New River. Recently, the federal government passed a law giving veterans and others exposed to Camp Lejeune contamination... Read More about Fed Facing Thousands of Lawsuits Alleging Cancer, Other Illnesses Caused by Camp LeJeune Water Contamination

Workers in protective gear deploy oil spill containment booms along a beach affected by the 2015 Santa Barbara oil spill.

Class Action Lawsuit Reaches $230M Settlement Following 2015 Oil Spill

After seven years of investigation, a Los Angeles federal judge has approved a $230 million-dollar settlement to end a class action lawsuit against All American Pipeline, L.P. and Plains Pipeline, L.P. after a May 2015 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara caused widespread damage. The original lawsuit was... Read More about Class Action Lawsuit Reaches $230M Settlement Following 2015 Oil Spill

A row of parked vehicles at a dealership.

Massachusetts Sues Dealership Over Discriminatory Pricing of Black and Hispanic Consumers

A Massachusetts car dealership is at the center of a lawsuit brought forward by the state. The lawsuit alleges that the business discriminated against Black and Hispanic customers by overcharging them on services and products. The lawsuit was filed in Essex County Superior Court and accuses Jaffarian Service Inc. of... Read More about Massachusetts Sues Dealership Over Discriminatory Pricing of Black and Hispanic Consumers

A woman surrounded by a crowd, appearing somber outside a courthouse.

California Mother, Sherri Papini, Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Hoax Kidnapping

A California court has sentenced the infamous Northern California mother, Sherri Papini, to 18 months in prison, after she faked her own abduction. Forty-year-old Sherri Papini made national headlines at the end of 2016 after she seemingly disappeared while out on a jog. After authorities were alerted of her disappearance,... Read More about California Mother, Sherri Papini, Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Hoax Kidnapping

Adnan Syed surrounded by a crowd outside a courthouse after his conviction was vacated, marking the end of 23 years behind bars.

Adnan Syed’s Life Sentence Vacated After Serving 23 Years Behind Bars

For over two decades, convicted murderer Adnan Syed stood behind bars for the 1999 murder of his high school classmate and ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. Earlier this week, in a stunning reversal, a Baltimore judge approved a motion to vacate Syed’s conviction and set him free. Adnan Syed, now 41... Read More about Adnan Syed’s Life Sentence Vacated After Serving 23 Years Behind Bars

AT&T Files Lawsuit Against T-Mobile Alleging False Advertising Over Senior Discounts

AT&T filed a complaint against T-Mobile in Texas’ Eastern District Court accusing its rival of false advertising. At the heart of the complaint is T-Mobile's recently launched “Verizon and AT&T Ban Senior Discount” campaign. As part of the campaign, customers are directed to the website BannedSeniors.com. On the website, T-Mobile... Read More about AT&T Files Lawsuit Against T-Mobile Alleging False Advertising Over Senior Discounts

A stethoscope, military dog tags, and a first aid kit on a camouflage background.

Texas Doctor Charged with Defrauding Veteran Health System of Roughly $36 Million

A Texas doctor has been convicted of health care fraud following a scheme that targeted Tricare, a health system designed for veterans including uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. The Department of Justice announced charges against 51-year-old Dr. Sekhar Rao, the director of Austin, Texas, ADAR Group LLC. The... Read More about Texas Doctor Charged with Defrauding Veteran Health System of Roughly $36 Million

A physician wearing a headset, engaged in a telemedicine consultation via laptop.

DOJ Indicts Physician in $10 Million Telemedicine Healthcare Fraud Scheme

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice announced the indictment of Elemer Raffai, MD, a New York doctor allegedly involved in a $10 million health care fraud scheme. While the case is already notable as involving millions illegally obtained via a large-scale kickback and fraud scheme, the added element of... Read More about DOJ Indicts Physician in $10 Million Telemedicine Healthcare Fraud Scheme

Display case filled with various baked goods, including pastries, donuts, and cookies.

Ohio’s Oberlin College to Pay $36.5M After Labeling Local Bakery Racist

Oberlin College located in Oberlin, Ohio, has been ordered to pay $36.5 million to a local bakery after the college touted claims that the bakery was racist. The multi-million dollar payout comes after a shoplifting incident happened at Gibson’s Bakery in November 2016. At the time, three Oberlin college students... Read More about Ohio’s Oberlin College to Pay $36.5M After Labeling Local Bakery Racist

Graduation cap on top of a pile of one-hundred dollar bills representing student loans.

Class Action Says Data From More Than 2.5 Million Student Loan Borrowers Stolen

Student loan borrowers just can’t catch a break. Nelnet Servicing, Inc., a student loan servicer, was recently hit with a proposed class action alleging the company failed to properly secure and safeguard the personal data of more than 2.5 million student loan borrowers. Per the lawsuit, mountains of personally identifiable... Read More about Class Action Says Data From More Than 2.5 Million Student Loan Borrowers Stolen

IV bag in a medical setting against a blurred background.

Dallas Doctor Charged for Tampering With IV Bags, Leaving One Doctor Dead, Others Injured

A Dallas, Texas, area anesthesiologist is facing federal charges for allegedly tampering with hospital IV bags, causing the death of one doctor and cardiac arrest events in several other patients. The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas filed a criminal complaint days after the anesthesiologist was... Read More about Dallas Doctor Charged for Tampering With IV Bags, Leaving One Doctor Dead, Others Injured

GE, Carrier Face Class Action Lawsuit Over Defective Fire Control Systems

General Electric Company and Carrier are at the center of a class action lawsuit that accuses the companies of selling defective fire control systems. The lawsuit was brought forward by a disabled veteran from New Jersey, Samuel L. Kaplan. In his 144-page complaint, Kaplan and his legal team accuse the... Read More about GE, Carrier Face Class Action Lawsuit Over Defective Fire Control Systems

Juul e-cigarette products and packaging featuring mango nectar flavor.

JUUL Reaches Nearly $440M Settlement With 33 States

E-cigarette maker, JUUL Labs inc., has reached a $438.5 million settlement over charges that the company marketed its product to underage children. The massive settlement was agreed to by 33 or about two-thirds of the states that brought forward claims against the company. The states accused the e-cigarette maker of... Read More about JUUL Reaches Nearly $440M Settlement With 33 States