Judge upholds Indiana Facebook ban for sex offenders
The ACLU has said it will appeal a federal judge’s decision to uphold an Indiana law that bans registered sex offenders from accessing Facebook and other social networking sites used by children.
Legal Issues
Articles
Indiana smoking ban brings new sign rules
To comply with the statewide smoking ban that begins July 1, there's more for businesses to do than stop patrons and employees from smoking indoors. The same law compels businesses to post an array of signs that announce the ban.
Zionsville wins appeal in airport zoning dispute
The town now has zoning jurisdiction over Indianapolis Executive Airport, which is located within its borders following an annexation, but is operated by the Hamilton County Airport Authority.
Durham attorney vows to appeal guilty verdict
An attorney for convicted fraud mastermind Tim Durham vowed Thursday to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to prove his client did nothing wrong.
Durham found guilty on all counts
U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett hailed the jury's decision, calling the case "the most significant piece of litigation the Southern District has seen in a generation." Tim Durham and co-defendants Jim Cochran and Rick Snow were handcuffed and taken to the Marion County Jail.
Settlement talks heat up between Athenaeum, Rathskeller
The Athenaeum Foundation is considering an offer from the operator of the Rathskeller to pay a portion of the cover charges he collects for concerts at the Biergarten. A lawsuit filed by the foundation seeks $1.4 million in previously collected cover charges.
Durham trial closing arguments provide clashing accounts
The prosecution described Tim Durham as "the mastermind" of a Ponzi scheme, while partner Jim Cochran acted as the front man who lied "to people's faces," and Chief Financial Officer Rick Snow served as the "backroom numbers guy."
Defense rests in Durham trial without defendants testifying
Defense attorneys in the federal fraud trial of Fair Finance executives Tim Durham, Jim Cochran and Rick Snow rested their cases Tuesday morning after calling just one witness and introducing a handful of exhibits.
Prosecution rests after testimony from Fair Finance trustee
Attorneys for Tim Durham and his co-defendants are expected to start their defense Tuesday morning and wrap it up in the afternoon. The jury is expected to begin deliberations Wednesday.
Court ruling would lift cloud of uncertainty
The U.S. Supreme Court did not hand down a ruling in the health care reform case Monday morning. The nine justices meet again Thursday, but most observers expect the decision to come June 25 or June 28.
Durham prosecutors wrap case with details on asset transfer
In the weeks before an FBI raid shut down Fair Finance Co., top company executives led by Indianapolis financier Tim Durham devised a last-ditch maneuver they hoped would persuade Ohio regulators to allow them to keep selling investment certificates.
WellPoint lowers earnings forecast after $90M legal bill
Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. said it is lowering its profit forecast for the year by 3 percent after reaching a $90 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit.
WellPoint settlement: $90M for former Anthem members
The federal lawsuit was set to go to trial June 18 in Indianapolis. The claims arise from Anthem’s 2001 conversion from a mutual company, owned by its insured policyholders, to a public company.
AUDIO: Wiretaps capture Durham, co-defendants scrambling
A series of government-recorded phone calls have provided some of the most riveting courtroom moments during the fraud trial of Tim Durham and two co-defendants.
Durham trial: Auditor expected problems at Fair Finance
The accounting firm Tim Durham hired to review the Ohio company’s 2003 finances refused to complete an audit because of concerns about the accuracy of its numbers and the appropriateness of its practices. The FBI raided Fair Finance in November 2009.
Fair Finance CFO staying out of prosecutors’ crosshairs
Rick Snow, Fair Finance Co.'s former chief financial officer, isn't accused of collecting insider loans like co-defendants Tim Durham and Jim Cochran. But he's facing the same felony charges.
Fired St. Vincent physician suing hospital for discrimination
The Indian-born doctor is seeking past and future pay, in addition to other damages, for enduring what she considers harassment and discrimination while a resident at the Indianapolis hospital.
Durham prosecutors ask to admit IBJ story as evidence
Federal prosecutors in the Tim Durham fraud trial on Wednesday sought to introduce into evidence an IBJ investigative report from October 2009, but a judge agreed with a defense attorney and denied the request.
Trial evidence shows desperation in Fair Finance’s final days
The men who presided over Ohio-based Fair Finance were at their wits end by late 2009. In government-recorded phone calls and intercepted e-mails introduced as evidence in U.S. District Court this week, they come across as exhausted, angry and determined.
VIDEO: Fair Finance investor’s family lost $475K
Donald Russell, a retired deputy sheriff, is among the more than 5,000 clients of Fair Finance who lost big investments with the Ohio firm. After testifying on Tuesday during the fraud trial for Fair owner Tim Durham, he shared his story with IBJ.