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Jury Awards $700 Million in Landmark Case to Family of Brittanee Drexel, Victim of 2009 Murder

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GEORGETOWN, S.C. — A significant legal decision was reached in Georgetown County where a jury granted $200 million in actual damages to the family of Brittanee Drexel, a murder victim whose disappearance from Myrtle Beach in 2009 gripped the nation. In a landmark ruling, the court also imposed $500 million in punitive damages against Raymond Moody, the convict responsible for Drexel’s tragic death. The civil lawsuit was initiated by Dawn Conley, Drexel’s mother, targeting Moody for the intentional emotional distress her daughter’s murder caused. Drexel, then 17, vanished while on spring break at the Grand … Read more

Former U.S. Immigration Lawyer Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for Exploiting Vulnerable Clients in Fraudulent Residency Scheme

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New York — A former U.S. immigration lawyer, Kofi Amankwaa, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison after admitting to defrauding numerous clients through a deceptive scheme that exploited U.S. immigration law, federal authorities said. Amankwaa, 70, who is of Ghanaian descent, was sentenced on Feb. 26, 2025, to 70 months in federal custody for orchestrating a scheme that involved filing bogus claims under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These forms falsely accused family members of abuse to help clients improperly seek permanent residency status in the United States. U.S. District Judge … Read more

Federal Judge Rules Trump’s Dismissal of Watchdog Agency Head Unlawful, Sets Stage for Supreme Court Battle

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WASHINGTON — A federal judge’s recent ruling reaffirmed the constitutionality of limitations on the president’s authority to dismiss the leader of an autonomous watchdog, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court confrontation. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson upheld the job security of Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, who was abruptly dismissed by the White House on February 7. The Office of Special Counsel, a relatively minor yet influential entity, plays a crucial role in investigating whistleblower complaints and safeguarding the rights of federal employees. This agency is increasingly significant as … Read more

Breaking: Brian Hyatt’s Legal Team Seeks Delay in Upcoming Trial Citing Case Complexity

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In a legal twist, Brian Hyatt, initially set to stand trial in April, may see a new trial date as his attorneys argue the complexities of the case. The request underscores the intricate details involved, necessitating more preparation time to ensure a fair trial. Hyatt’s legal team, engaged in pre-trial strategies, has not disclosed the specific elements that contribute to the case’s complexity. However, such moves are common in legal defenses, especially in cases that may involve multiple witnesses, intricate evidence, or complex legal issues. Typically, a jury trial date rescheduling can significantly alter the … Read more