USA Archive - Law Commentary

$200 Million Opioid Settlement for Allergan in New York Follows Numerous Other Drug Firms That Already Settled for Over $1.5 Billion

During the 2 1/2 hour closing arguments in an ongoing opioid trial, brought by New York State and counties alleging the drugmaker Allergan flooded the state with opioids, the firm agreed to a $200 million settlement. The lawsuit was specifically against AbbVie Inc, a company that is part of Allergan,... Read More about $200 Million Opioid Settlement for Allergan in New York Follows Numerous Other Drug Firms That Already Settled for Over $1.5 Billion

A person's hands in handcuffs, wearing a light pink sweater.

Florida Woman Sentenced for Role in Laundering Money for International ‘Child Modeling’ Websites

A Florida woman has been sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison for her role in a money-laundering conspiracy that related to a subscription-based website that sexually exploited “child models.” 53-year-old Patrice Eileen Wilowski-Mevorah is accused of laundering at least $2.3 million for an internet-based business called... Read More about Florida Woman Sentenced for Role in Laundering Money for International ‘Child Modeling’ Websites

Memorial plaque for Emmett L. Till, featuring his name, date of birth, and an image surrounded by coins.

U.S. Ends 2018 Probe Into Emmett Till’s Death, Unable to Prove Witness Lied

The Justice Department announced this week that it is closing its investigation into the death of 14-year-old Emmett Till with no charges being brought forward after it could not prove that a witness lied about the events leading up to the Black teenager's death. The Justice Department explained that "In... Read More about U.S. Ends 2018 Probe Into Emmett Till’s Death, Unable to Prove Witness Lied

Nvidia graphics processing units arranged in a server.

FTC Sues To Block Historic $40 Billion ARM Ltd. Acquisition By Graphics Giant NVIDIA

The FTC has sued to block graphics card giant Nvidia from its proposed $40 billion acquisition of British chip design provider ARM Ltd. The complaint comes after other tech leaders including Qualcomm, Microsoft, and Google voiced their concerns that such an acquisition would stifle competition in the industry. ARM, which... Read More about FTC Sues To Block Historic $40 Billion ARM Ltd. Acquisition By Graphics Giant NVIDIA

A close-up of a person receiving a vaccination, showing their arm with a bandage and a healthcare professional's gloved hand administering the shot.

New York City Businesses Push Back Against Sweeping Vaccine Mandate

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s latest vaccine mandate announced earlier this week is being met with harsh criticism from small business owners throughout the city. On Monday, De Blasio announced a sweeping measure that would require all workers in the city to get fully vaccinated before December 27. The measure would... Read More about New York City Businesses Push Back Against Sweeping Vaccine Mandate

Memorial display honoring victims of a school shooting, featuring photos and flowers.

Latest School Shooting Prompts Calls for Charging Parents with Crimes

In the wake of the tragic shooting at an Oxford, Michigan, high school that killed four students and injured eight others, calls for stricter parental responsibility laws with harsher penalties are emerging from all levels of government and advocacy organizations throughout the private sector. James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of... Read More about Latest School Shooting Prompts Calls for Charging Parents with Crimes

A man speaking at a podium with the seal of the Office of the President Elect in the background.

DOL Published Final Rule Implementing Biden’s $15 Minimum Wage on Federal Contracts

The Department of Labor has published a final rule that will put in place President Biden's executive order on raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour on federal contracts. On April 27, 2021, Biden’s executive order 14026 detailed raising the minimum wage from $10.95 to $15 an hour on... Read More about DOL Published Final Rule Implementing Biden’s $15 Minimum Wage on Federal Contracts

Jar of medical marijuana labeled "Blueberry" for pain relief, stress, and anxiety on display in a dispensary.

Amputee Can’t Amend Probation Conditions to Allow Medical Marijuana Use

Even though medical marijuana is legal in California and even though 36 states now allow it to be purchased with a prescription from a licensed physician, a probationer, whose leg was amputated below his knee after a motorcycle accident, was still denied permission to use the drug to “alleviate (his)... Read More about Amputee Can’t Amend Probation Conditions to Allow Medical Marijuana Use

A person using a smartphone to access Facebook, with a laptop open in the background displaying the social media platform.

Facebook Wins Suit for Banning Post That “Outed” Whistleblower

While giving a fundamental lesson on the First Amendment’s Freedom of Speech clause, the Ninth Circuit upheld the dismissal of a suit by a law student who sought to include the name of an alleged CIA whistleblower in a Facebook post. A three-judge panel denied the appeal of plaintiff-appellant Cameron... Read More about Facebook Wins Suit for Banning Post That “Outed” Whistleblower

Exterior view of the UT Southwestern Medical Center, featuring the facility's signage and landscaped surroundings.

UT Southwestern to Pay $4.5 Million for Lax Opioid Oversight

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement to resolve claims that the medical center failed to properly secure controlled substances including fentanyl. The settlement comes after a three-year-long joint investigation by the DEA and the US attorney's office. The investigation was prompted after... Read More about UT Southwestern to Pay $4.5 Million for Lax Opioid Oversight

A man in a business suit looks solemnly ahead, possibly during a legal proceeding or press conference.

Puerto Rico Mayor Pleads Guilty to Municipal Contracts Bribery Scheme

A Puerto Rican mayor has pled guilty to bribery charges after he allegedly engaged in a scheme where he awarded highly valued municipal contracts in exchange for cash bribes. A Puerto Rican contractor was also arrested for participating in the bribery scheme. Felix Delgado-Montalvo, 40, was the mayor of Catano,... Read More about Puerto Rico Mayor Pleads Guilty to Municipal Contracts Bribery Scheme

Voters being assisted at a polling station during the election process.

Two GA Election Workers Sue Right-Wing Website Over Election Rigging Claims

Two former Georgia election workers have filed a lawsuit against a far-right-wing conspiracy website, The Gateway Pundit, and its owners. The two women allege that the website and the website’s owners knowingly published false stories about them regarding the 2020 presidential election. The false stories incited an onslaught of harassment... Read More about Two GA Election Workers Sue Right-Wing Website Over Election Rigging Claims

15-year-old charged as an adult following a school shooting in Michigan that resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries.

15 Year Old Charged as Adult After Deadly Michigan School Shooting Kills Four

A fourth student passed away Wednesday morning after the deadly school shooting in Oxford Township, Michigan, Tuesday afternoon. The deadly shooting had already claimed the lives of three others and injured six students and one teacher. Those who were injured range in ages from 14 to 17. A 47-year-old teacher... Read More about 15 Year Old Charged as Adult After Deadly Michigan School Shooting Kills Four

Mugshots of James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, following their charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Parents of Oxford High School Shooter Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter, Bail Set at $500K Each

The parents of 15-year-old school shooter Ethan Crumbley have been charged and arraigned on four counts of involuntary manslaughter each. According to authorities, the teen went into a school bathroom where he took out a 9 mm Sig Sauer SP2022 semi-automatic handgun before he went into the hallway and shot... Read More about Parents of Oxford High School Shooter Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter, Bail Set at $500K Each

Confrontation between two men outside a home, with a third person in the background.

Texas Man Claims ‘Stand Your Ground’ Defense After Shooting His Partner’s Ex

Disturbing cell phone footage out of Texas shows a Texas man fatally shooting his partner’s ex-husband during a child custody battle. The victim's widow, Jennifer Read, shared cell phone footage with her attorney that was later released to the public on Tuesday. In the footage, Lubbock, Texas, man Kyle Carruth... Read More about Texas Man Claims ‘Stand Your Ground’ Defense After Shooting His Partner’s Ex