Lawyer’s suit against judges dismissed
Criminal defense lawyer Alexander Zeno accused federal district judges in Puerto Rico of making a “mockery” of justice and of being dishonest, biased and unintelligent. When the court responded by suspending him for three months, Zeno, who lives in Montgomery County, sued the judges in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt for violating his right to […]
A ‘purple Friday’ for bench-bar conference
Baltimore Ravens President Richard W. Cass gave several hundred Maryland judges and lawyers an inside look at the team’s business challenges and on-field personnel decisions Friday at the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Cass was the keynote speaker at the Seventh Biennial Bench-Bar Conference. He said when it’s time to make the final decision about […]
Ray Lewis’ MVP Lanes still looking for financing
MVP Lanes LLC hired RI Hispanic BancGroup LLC in June because its owner said it could help secure the financing that would help MVP move forward with a planned sports bar and bowling alley in Hunt Valley. MVP Lanes, which counts Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis as a partner, has had to head back to […]
Opinions – 10/17/11: U.S. District Court, Maryland
Civil Procedure Habeas corpus petition custody requirement BOTTOM LINE: Mandatory sex offender registration does not meet the requirements of custody for purposes of federal habeas relief, and therefore petition for writ of habeas corpus, which was filed after petitioner’s criminal sentence had expired and was premised solely on the registration requirement, was dismissed for lack […]
Clean Green Fuel owner backs out of plea deal in $9M case
A Perry Hall man accused of selling $9 million worth of phony clean energy credits reversed course on a plea agreement minutes before his 1 p.m. arraignment in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Thursday. Instead of entering a plea, Rodney R. Hailey, 33, made an initial appearance and waived indictment before Magistrate Stephanie […]
FBI agents note disclosure lapses in Currie trial
FBI agents testified Thursday about financial disclosure lapses in a federal bribery case against state Sen. Ulysses Currie, who is charged with selling his influence in Annapolis to do favors for a grocery store chain. Prosecutors focused on state financial disclosure forms in which the senator failed to disclose he had been working for Shoppers […]
Judge OKs sale of accused Md. historian’s art
A presidential historian charged with conspiring to steal documents from U.S. archives will be allowed to sell an Andy Warhol print and other items to cover his living expenses, according to an order issued by a federal judge Tuesday. Judge Catherine Blake granted permission to Barry Landau, 63, to sell silverware, coins and a Warhol […]
Opinions – 10/11/11: U.S. District Court
Civil Procedure Personal jurisdiction BOTTOM LINE: District court did not have personal jurisdiction in a civil action against defendant membership organization, where organization’s only related business activity was operating a website used by members throughout the world, including some Maryland residents. CASE: Allcarrier Worldwide Services, Inc. v. United Network Equipment Dealer Associatio[...]
Lawsuits filed in fatal W.Va. music festival crash
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The father of a 20-year-old South Carolina woman crushed under a truck as she slept in a tent at the All Good Music Festival is suing the event producers, hosts, traffic directors and security providers for negligence. Nicole Miller died and two friends were serious injured in the July accident near Masontown. […]
Sparrows Point’s new owners in court over price
The new owners of the Sparrows Point steel mill are trying to knock a $125 million cash payment in the deal down to $1.9 million, the old owners claim in a lawsuit filed in New York. The $125 million cash payment is part of a $1.2 billion deal that includes the repayment of $317 million […]
Opinions – 10/3/11: U.S. District Court of Maryland
Insurance Law Disability benefits BOTTOM LINE: Where insurer denied disability benefits for depression based on opinion of insured’s psychiatric consultant and neglected to consider records and statements from insured’s treating physicians and social workers, remand to insurance plan administrator for a full and fair review was appropriate. CASE: Zhou v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Ci[...]
Law digest: 10/3/11
COURT OF APPEALS Constitutional Law, Confrontation Clause: The statements made during a 911 call were non-testimonial and therefore admissible under the Confrontation Clause because they were made during an ongoing emergency. Langley v. State, No. 51, Sept. Term, 2008. RecordFax No. 11-0919-20. COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS Civil Procedure, Attorney’s fees: Using the lodestar approach to […]