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☆ Former Florida tax official and ex-Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg sentenced to 11 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A federal judge sentenced former Florida tax official Joel Greenberg to 11 years in prison. Greenberg was a longtime associate of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz before he struck a plea deal last year. Before striking a plea deal, Greenberg was a close associate of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. Greenberg's plea deal said he conducted 150 financial transactions totaling $70,000 between December 2016 and December 2018 to pay women for "commercial sex acts." "Those who told lies about Congressman Matt Gaetz are going to prison, and Congressman Matt Gaetz is going back to Congress to continue fighting for America," a spokesperson for Gaetz's office previously told Insider.

Amazon fired Smalls in March 2020, saying he joined a protest at the Staten Island warehouse where he supervised other workers despite being on paid quarantine after he had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Smalls in the lawsuit says he was targeted because of his race and his advocacy for the warehouse's largely non-white workforce. The 2nd Circuit judges on Tuesday said he failed to back up those claims, echoing a New York federal judge who dismissed the case last year. Smalls and other workers at the warehouse founded the Amazon Labor Union, which in April won the first U.S. union vote in Amazon's 27-year history. Smalls may have believed that Amazon's practices were racially motivated, Schwartz said, but "Amazon is not required to read his mind."

☆ A Twitter executive has won a court injunction stopping Elon Musk from firing her, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sinead McSweeney didn't resign but was locked out from company systems, the Irish Times reported. McSweeney said she was "unable to work" or get into the Dublin office and had to seek an injunction. A High Court judge granted McSweeney a temporary injunction on Friday to stop Twitter from terminating her contract and applying Musk's conditions from the ultimatum email to her employment status. The Twitter executive was left humiliated and upset after being locked out of Twitter's systems, email and the Dublin office. Lawyers representing McSweeney wrote to Twitter, which accepted that she didn't plan to resign, according to the report.

☆ ‘Housing First’ Foments Homelessness in California
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Joe Lonsdale | Judge Glock | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

He said he’d convene a meeting this month to discuss what really works. He should start with what doesn’t work: everything California has done for years. Residents have known for years what Mr. Newsom has only belatedly recognized: that the government is failing to address the problem. Homelessness is a nationwide problem, but nowhere is it as bad as in the Golden State. Despite billions in state and local spending every year, more than half of the country’s unsheltered homeless are in California.

☆ 200,000 student-loan borrowers were just granted $6 billion in debt relief after a federal judge approved a settlement with Biden's Education Department
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A federal judge granted final approval of a settlement involving defrauded student-loan borrowers. 200,000 borrowers are expected to get $6 billion in debt relief, and the department will review other pending claims. The 2019 lawsuit was filed in response to a backlog of borrower defense claims that hadn't been processed. The Secretary's improper delay and suspension of processing claims for debt relief has directly led to a specific economic injury to each class member. "It immediately delivers certainty and relief to borrowers who have been waiting years for a fair resolution of their borrower defense claims," she added.

☆ Judge dismisses former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo’s lawsuit against team
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The judge tossed the case after the Jaguars filed a motion in July to dismiss the lawsuit, contending Lambo “is not a whistleblower or a victim of retaliation,” as he argued in the complaint. Lawsuit sought damages, back payIn the lawsuit, Lambo said that during a practice in August 2021, Meyer “kicked him in the leg, and used profanity to insult (him) and warn him to make his kicks. “Josh’s characterization of me and this incident is completely inaccurate, and there are eyewitnesses to refute his account,” Meyer told the paper. The Jaguars cut Lambo in October after the kicker missed all three of his field-goal attempts in the first three weeks of the 2021 season. The Jaguars fired Meyer in December 2021 after 13 games (2-11) in his first NFL coaching season.

☆ Meet the Republican-appointed judges who blocked Biden's student-loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The judges have a history of conservative rulings on topics ranging from immigration to abortion. Student-loan forgiveness remains blocked until the courts make final decisions. For example, the judge who ruled in the Texas decision compared student-loan forgiveness to a 1933 law that gave Adolf Hitler power, sparking criticism from some legal experts. Here are the judges who deemed student-loan forgiveness illegal for millions of borrowers. Grasz also spent eleven years serving as Nebraska's Chief Deputy Attorney General — one of the six states that sued Biden's student-loan forgiveness plan.

The case could have given the justices, had they decided to hear it, a chance to make it harder for consumers and other plaintiffs to receive class action status. The Reston, Virginia-based company, which produces StarKist Tuna, had asked the Supreme Court to consider whether plaintiffs could still win class action status in cases in which some of the members of the class were not injured by a company's alleged wrongdoing. Class action status allows a few plaintiffs to litigate on behalf of a much larger group rather than forcing individuals to litigate separately. Businesses fight to avoid cases winning class action status, which can expose them to massive potential damages and create pressure to settle. In 2019, a trial judge granted class action status to three separate groups of tuna buyers: direct purchasers such as national retailers and regional grocery stores; commercial food preparers; and individual consumers.

☆ Dive boat captain pleads not guilty in fiery deaths of 34
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

LOS ANGELES — A dive boat captain pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court for a second time to manslaughter in the fiery deaths of 34 people trapped below deck on his burning vessel three years ago off the Southern California coast. A federal grand jury issued a new indictment last month alleging that Captain Jerry Boylan acted with gross negligence aboard the Conception during one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent U.S. history. A judge threw out the original case on the third anniversary of the Sept. 2, 2019, tragedy. Truth Aquatics is seeking to avoid payouts to the families of the victims under a provision in federal maritime law. The court is going to move along and try this man, try this captain who allowed our 34 to be killed and burned on that boat.”

☆ Couple sentenced in plot to sell U.S. submarine secrets by hiding intel in peanut butter sandwich
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

In one of them, Diana Toebbe told her husband to flush the letter down a toilet after reading it. Prior to sentencing, Jonathan Toebbe described his battles with stress in taking on additional duties and his own battle with alcohol. The couple was arrested in October 2021 after Jonathan Toebbe placed a card in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Prosecutors had sought three years for Diana Toebbe. An FBI agent posing as a foreign government’s representative made contact with Toebbe, ultimately paying in cryptocurrency for the information Toebbe was offering.

☆ Nikki Hiltz: How this professional runner is making their sport more inclusive
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“I was open about my sexuality at that point, but not my gender identity,” Hiltz tells CNN Sport. After coming out as trans and non-binary, Hiltz continues to compete in the women’s division. “You know, I have no business putting on an in-person race,” Hiltz jokes. Spencer Cox’s veto of a bill that bans transgender women from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams. Since coming out as trans and non-binary last year, Hiltz has had conversations with race directors and announcers about making running more inclusive.

☆ Judge Issues Second Ruling Blocking Parts of New York’s New Gun Law
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Jimmy Vielkind | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The law came with a list of locations where possession of a firearm is a felony regardless of permit status, including New York City’s Times Square. A federal judge issued a second ruling against New York’s new gun-control law and blocked its prohibitions on carrying concealed firearms in parks, bars and houses of worship. U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby in Syracuse said in a 184-page ruling that many aspects of New York’s law placed an unconstitutional burden on gun rights protected by the Second Amendment. He issued a preliminary injunction that barred the state from enforcing an array of restrictions and rules, including ones that required gun-permit applicants to demonstrate good moral character and provide information about their family members and social-media accounts.

NEW YORK, Nov 7 (Reuters) - A federal judge in New York temporarily suspended many parts of the state's new gun restrictions on Monday to allow members of a gun-owners' rights group to continue their lawsuit challenging the new law as unconstitutional. Judge Glenn Suddaby of the U.S. District Court in Syracuse agreed to issue the order at the request of six New York residents who are members of Gun Owners of America, which competes with the National Rifle Association in political influence. In his order, he said New York officials could not compel people applying for a gun license to disclose a list of everyone they live with or the handles of their social media accounts, major provisions of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act which took effect on Sept. 1. He also sharply pared back New York's new list of "sensitive places" where it is a new felony crime to possess a gun even with a license, writing that the state could not ban guns in theaters, bars, parks, airports and other public places. Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Election deniers are trying to influence the midterm elections at the polls, in the courts, and on the ballot
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Katie Balevic | Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Election deniers who challenged the 2020 presidential election are influencing the 2022 midterms. Organizing efforts to reach voters directlyState by state, election deniers are already having an impact on the ground. Election deniers on the ballotDozens upon dozens of election deniers are also running for office in the midterms — many of whom Trump has endorsed. Nearly 300 election deniers are running for public office with 171 expected to be victorious on election night, according to The Washington Post. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesMany election deniers are running for seats in Congress while others are running in significant statewide races.

☆ Proposal 3: Michigan voters will decide on a constitutional right to abortion
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Michigan's Proposal 3 would make pregnancy decisions a state constitutional right. Proponents say that the measure will protect abortion access and medical staff who perform abortions. Currently, Michigan's restrictions on abortion access include parental consent for minors and waiting periods for abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Supporters say the constitutional amendment is necessary to affirm the right to abortion and nullify a 1931 state law that completely bans abortions and threatens abortion providers with up to 15 years of imprisonment. They oppose the proposal because it would cancel out laws on the books that restrict abortions, including parental consent laws.

☆ Elon Musk is now officially Twitter's new owner, ending months of costly litigation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Kali Hays | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Twitter and Musk fought for months over his attempt to back out of the acquisition. A Delaware judge gave the two parties an October 28 deadline to come to a deal outside of court. Musk made a U-turn on the offer in October, after spending months trying to pull out of the agreement. Representatives for Twitter and Musk did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Twitter promptly sued him in Delaware Court of Chancer.

[Editor's note: After CNBC published details of an interview with people who claimed to be fired employees of Twitter, several reports emerged suggesting it was a hoax. On Elon Musk's first day in control of Twitter , a person who walked out of the company's San Francisco headquarters and identified themselves as a data engineer there said they were just laid off. One employee at Twitter, awaiting information about layoffs or projects, told CNBC they were in the dark for the most part. Twitter has denied that and went to court to try to get Musk to complete the deal. The judge gave Musk until Friday at 5 p.m. to close the deal, or else set a new trial date.

☆ Threats against judges skyrocketed during the Trump era, and experts are now fearing for the worst
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Federal judges involved in matters related to the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago have also faced threats. The number of logged threats to judges and other officials nearly doubled early in the Trump era. He's a hater," Trump said of Judge Gonzalo Curiel, a 2012 appointee to the federal trial court in San Diego. But, as the threats to the federal judges in South Florida showed, the trend is extending down through the lower courts. It declined to give a broader assessment for the increase in threats to judges and other Marshals Service protectees.

☆ Elon Musk changes his Twitter bio to 'Chief Twit' ahead of rapidly approaching deadline to finalize deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk changed his Twitter bio to "Chief Twit" on Wednesday. It could be a sign that he plans to appoint himself Twitter CEO once he purchases the platform. CNBC first reported in May that Musk was likely to name himself interim CEO after closing the $44 billion deal. But a lot has changed since May, so it's unclear if Musk plans to take on a temporary or permanent title, if any at all. Some of the released texts showed the falling out that led to Musk initially pulling out of the deal.

☆ Elon Musk promised on a video call with bankers that he will close the Twitter deal by Friday, according to a report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk promised bankers he plans to close the Twitter deal by Friday, Bloomberg reported. ET on October 28 to close the deal or face a trial. Spokespeople for Musk and Twitter did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment ahead of publication. Insider's Kali Hays previously reported that the deal was on track to close on Friday, citing two people familiar with the agreement. Musk has until the end of the work week to close the deal and avoid a trial.

☆ Mirae Asset in talks to help fund Elon Musk's Twitter deal - source
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Hyunjoo Jin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 24 (Reuters) - South Korea's Mirae Asset Financial Group is planning to commit about 300 billion Korean won ($208 million) to help finance Elon Musk's $44-billion buyout of Twitter Inc (TWTR.N), a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The deal with Mirae is expected to be finalized in the coming days before the deadline for the closing of the Twitter deal on Oct. 28, the source added. Mirae Asset earlier this year invested in Musk's rocket and satellite company SpaceX, the person said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterMusk's lawyer and Mirae Asset were not immediately available for comments. Tesla investors have feared the billionaire might sell more Tesla stocks to finance the deal, weighing on its shares.

☆ Suspicious packages, white powdery substances, and a 'swatting': Inside the threats federal judges are facing across the country
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

The US Marshals Service has been responding to a remarkable rise in threats against federal judges. At least three times this year, the federal court in Washington, DC, received suspicious packages. Arriving just months apart, the packages sent to DC's federal courthouse served as reminders of threats judges are increasingly facing across the country. Lawmakers have blamed Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, for blocking legislation to help protect federal judges. Greg Nash/AP ImagesCongressional solutionsCongress has approved additional funding for bolstering the security of federal judges.

☆ How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

The official student loan forgiveness application is available on the Federal Student Aid website. What you can do now to prepare for student loan repayment and reliefFirst and foremost, you can fill out the application for up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness on the Federal Student Aid website. “January will almost certainly be a chaotic time for the [student loan] servicers,” says Michael Lux, attorney and founder of The Student Loan Sherpa. You might also check out alternative options for student loan forgiveness, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness. If your state charges a tax rate of 5%, for example, expect to pay about $500 in taxes on $10,000 in loan forgiveness or $1,000 on $20,000 in loan forgiveness.

☆ Washington state woman buried alive by estranged husband manages to escape shallow grave, police say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Antonio Planas | Antonio Planas Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

A Washington state woman who was allegedly buried alive in the woods this week by her estranged husband managed to escape to safety from the shallow grave, authorities said. They also have video of him pulling into the garage with the van and then speeding out of the neighborhood, the probable cause report said. The woman told police she was driven in the van somewhere and then put on the ground outside. … A heavy tree was put on top of her,” the probable cause document said. She said he had told her he would “rather kill her than give her his retirement money,” the probable cause report said.

☆ Captain indicted on new charge in boat fire that killed 34 off Southern California
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Phil-Helsel-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Phil Helsel | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The captain of a California dive boat that caught fire in 2019, killing 34 people on board, was indicted Tuesday on a new count of negligence in the disaster. Jerry Nehl Boylan, 68, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles said. The NTSB also faulted the Coast Guard for not enforcing roving patrols and said the Coast Guard needs to verify that boat operators are conducting patrols as required. After the fire, Congress in 2020 required that the Coast Guard adopt NTSB regulations as part of a federal law that dealt in part with authorization of funding, according to the transportation agency. The Coast Guard announced new safety rules in January, The Associated Press reported at the time.

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