USA Archive - Law Commentary

The iconic Hollywood sign surrounded by hills and trees under a dramatic sky.

“Con Queen of Hollywood” Faces London Courts & Extradition for Allegedly Defrauding Star-Struck Actors

With a story juicy enough to be a hit movie, the secret identity of the infamous “Con Queen of Hollywood” was revealed in a London courtroom to be an Indonesian man, Hargobind Tahilramani, 41. Nicknamed the “Con Queen of Hollywood” because of his alleged scheme to steal hundreds of thousands... Read More about “Con Queen of Hollywood” Faces London Courts & Extradition for Allegedly Defrauding Star-Struck Actors

Pregnant woman seated on an airplane, showing a focus on her belly while wearing casual attire.

Long Island Birth Tourism Scheme Costs New York Taxpayers $2.1 Million

At a news conference on the steps of the federal courthouse in Central Islip on Wednesday, December 2, Seth DuCharme, acting United States Attorney in Brooklyn, announced the indictment of six individuals in connection with a “birth tourism” scheme in Long Island, New York. DuCharme stated, “the indictment unsealed today... Read More about Long Island Birth Tourism Scheme Costs New York Taxpayers $2.1 Million

Two women standing outside in a snowy area near a gas station.

Two American Citizens Reached a Settlement Against U.S. Border Patrol after Being Profiled for Speaking Spanish

Two American citizens who were the subject of a lawsuit filed in 2019 against the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have reached a settlement deal. The lawsuit was filed by the Immigrants' Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Ana Suda and Martha Hernandez. The two... Read More about Two American Citizens Reached a Settlement Against U.S. Border Patrol after Being Profiled for Speaking Spanish

Signage of The Cheesecake Factory restaurant, featuring its name prominently along with the terms "Restaurant," "Bakery," and "Bar."

Humble Pie: California-Based Cheesecake Factory Fined $125,000 by Feds

The Cheesecake Factory was served something off the menu by the Feds on December 4: a whopping $125,000 fine. The California-based company with 300 national restaurants in the US and Canada allegedly was caught hiding cash that the dining chain was losing in the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic.... Read More about Humble Pie: California-Based Cheesecake Factory Fined $125,000 by Feds

Paul Petersen, a former Arizona official, appears in court during his sentencing for running an illegal adoption scheme.

Arizona Ex-official, Paul Petersen, Sentenced to Six Years for “Baby-Selling Enterprise”

A Mesa, Arizona, man pled guilty to running an illegal adoption ring that involved three states and two countries. Paul Petersen is a former Maricopa County Assessor who was charged with running an illegal adoption ring through his Mesa law office. Investigators looking into Petersen's criminal activity alleged that along... Read More about Arizona Ex-official, Paul Petersen, Sentenced to Six Years for “Baby-Selling Enterprise”

Entrance to the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Washington, D.C.

NYC Man Who Posted Online Death Threats Against Biden Supporters Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges

Last Wednesday, a New York City man pleaded not guilty in a U.S. District Court on federal charges brought against him for threatening Biden supporters during the U.S. Presidential election. The indictment also lists the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Brian Maiorana is... Read More about NYC Man Who Posted Online Death Threats Against Biden Supporters Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges

A masked individual in church attire adjusts candles next to a floral arrangement on an altar.

US Supreme Court Agrees with California Church Disputing Governor Newsom’s Coronavirus Restrictions for Religious Service

California Governor Gavin Newsom lost ground in a new US Supreme Court ruling yesterday that sided with a church that had defied the governor’s temporary order to restrict religious services. The justices tossed out the order from the federal trial court in the Central District of California, which had previously... Read More about US Supreme Court Agrees with California Church Disputing Governor Newsom’s Coronavirus Restrictions for Religious Service

Exterior view of a historic building at Lehigh University on a clear day with blue sky and trees in the foreground.

Lehigh University Student Who Poisoned His Black Roommate Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder

Chemistry student Yukai Yang, 24, of China, has pled guilty to attempted first-degree murder and other related charges against his roommate, Juwan Royal. Juwan Royal, a black student who roomed with Yang at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, was the victim of repeated poisoning with the heavy metal thallium. The... Read More about Lehigh University Student Who Poisoned His Black Roommate Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder

Signage for the American Bar Association (ABA) displayed on a building exterior.

ABA President Urges Immediate Congressional Response to COVID-19-Caused Housing Crisis

It won’t be a happy New Year for millions of Americans if the government’s moratorium on housing evictions expires on New Year’s Eve -- a night when people traditionally celebrate without worrying that their families may soon become homeless and freeze. With this in mind, Patricia Lee Refo, President of... Read More about ABA President Urges Immediate Congressional Response to COVID-19-Caused Housing Crisis

A boat on fire at sea with an orange lifeboat in the foreground.

California Dive Boat Captain Indicted After Boat Fire Kills 34 Passengers

A federal grand jury has indicted the captain of a dive boat that caught fire and sank off the coast of California last September. The 67-year-old captain, Jerry Nehl Boylan, was indicted on 34 counts of negligent seaman’s manslaughter. The incident took place during the early hours of September 2nd,... Read More about California Dive Boat Captain Indicted After Boat Fire Kills 34 Passengers

A bronze statue depicting Abraham Lincoln seated on a bench with a young boy, set against a stone wall inscribed with the phrase "To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds."

Congressional Democrats seek to remove the "punishment" clause from the 13th amendment which allows prisoners to be used as cheap labor

The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the 11 states of the Confederacy and those areas not under Union control at the time of its signing. The 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution was intended to abolish slavery in the rest of the nation. However, some problematic language remained which... Read More about Congressional Democrats seek to remove the "punishment" clause from the 13th amendment which allows prisoners to be used as cheap labor

Nestle & Cargill’s Case Meet a Stony Supreme Court to Discuss Child Slavery

On the positive side, the candy companies in question do not claim to condone child slave trafficking. In fact, according to court filings, Nestle USA “firmly believes that traffickers deserve punishment.” But, they stressed, “This case is not about any of that.” Indeed, Nestle & Cargill v. Doe, heard in... Read More about Nestle & Cargill’s Case Meet a Stony Supreme Court to Discuss Child Slavery

Image of scattered prescription pill bottles and white tablets lying on a surface covered with U.S. currency.

California Man Sentenced for Online Drug Operation

Justin Ash, a 37-year-old resident of Murrieta, California, was sentenced to prison for the illegal sale and distribution of drugs. During his plea that took place in January of 2020, Ash divulged his operation in obtaining illegal drugs in bulk from overseas manufacturers for the purpose of selling them online... Read More about California Man Sentenced for Online Drug Operation

Two individuals, flanked by a police officer, leaving a courtroom following a hearing related to fraud charges.

Two Former Associates of President Trump’s Attorney Rudy Giuliani Plead Not Guilty

String of Charges Involves Numerous Actors in Complex Case It’s a complex story of numerous alleged illegal actions involving President Trump’s attorney; illegal donations to a pro-Trump super PAC; Ukraine and Belarus-born defendants and a Florida golf pro; millions of scammed investors… and it’s not a movie. Lev Parnas, a... Read More about Two Former Associates of President Trump’s Attorney Rudy Giuliani Plead Not Guilty

Crystal Mason attending her court hearing regarding her illegal voting conviction.

Crystal Mason, a Black Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegal Voting Files Second Appeal

A Fort Worth, Texas woman is seeking to get her conviction of illegal voting charges overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Crystal Mason, a Black woman from Fort Worth, Texas, cast a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election. Mason says she cast her provisional ballot on the... Read More about Crystal Mason, a Black Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegal Voting Files Second Appeal