Former Speaker Hastert Pleads Guilty in Hush-Money Case
This morning, former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert appeared in district court in Chicago and pled guilty to one count of violating bank reporting laws. Hastert’s defense counsel had “indicated two weeks ago that he was planning to plead guilty, though the details of the… Read More
More Puritanical Punishment Courtesy of Utah: “White Collar Crime Registry”
This post was co-authored by White Collar Alert contributor, Erin Dougherty. Yesterday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed a new bill into law that creates a “Utah White Collar Crime Offender Registry” (the “Registry”). This Registry – which is the first of its kind relating to… Read More
Judge Ambro Joins White Collar Alert in the Choir “Lament[ing]” Third Circuit’s Erwin Decision
Often as criminal defense attorneys we feel like the lone voice calling out against what we perceive to be cases of injustice. But yesterday Third Circuit Judge Ambro – joined by Judges Rendell, Greenaway, and Vanaskie – gave a nod to White Collar Alert and… Read More
Commission Proposes Limited, Though Significant, Amendments to Fraud Guidelines
As we previously noted, the U.S. Sentencing Commission has been considering changes to the Sentencing Guidelines for economic crimes. This deliberation over Section 2B1.1 stems, in part, from criticism from practitioners, judges, and scholars suggesting that “the fraud [G]uideline[s] may be fundamentally broken.” Indeed, as… Read More
Federal Lawsuit Highlights Powerful Civil Forfeiture Tool
This post was co-authored by White Collar Alert contributor, Erin Dougherty. In a federal complaint filed on Monday, three Philadelphia homeowners whose homes have been targeted for state civil forfeiture have sued the city of Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter, the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney… Read More