Children

Trial Begins for Former Model Foster Parent Accused of Decade-Long Abuse of Adopted Children

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CASPER, Wyo. – In a disturbing court case unveiling layers of alleged abuse, Steven Randall Marler, an erstwhile award-winning foster parent, now faces multiple counts of sexual abuse of minors, in addition to charges of battery and child endangerment. The trial, currently underway in Natrona County District Court, has gripped local attention due to the gravity of the accusations spanning over a decade, from November 2012 to June 2022. On Tuesday, the court was presented with troubling evidence from the Marler home located on Casper Mountain, including a video depicting a naked boy with visible … Read more

Wells Fargo to Challenge $800 Million Verdict in Favor of Seminole Tribe’s Children Trust Fund

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a significant ruling, Wells Fargo has been ordered to pay more than $800 million in damages to a trust fund established for the children of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This decision comes after a contentious six-week trial in Broward County, which concluded with a jury deliberation lasting approximately six hours. Despite the verdict, Wells Fargo plans to challenge the decision through an appeal. Meghan McDonald, spokeswoman for Wells Fargo’s Wealth and Investment Management department, expressed disappointment over the jury’s ruling. “We adhered to the Tribal Government’s detailed instructions regarding … Read more

$826 Million Victory: Jury Sides with Seminole Tribe Children in Massive Trust Mismanagement Case Against Major Bank

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In a landmark decision on Tuesday, a Broward County jury held Wells Fargo liable for mismanagement of a trust fund belonging to the children of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, awarding them a staggering $826 million in damages. The trust, intended for the tribe’s minors, suffered from what the plaintiffs described as poor financial strategies that significantly underperformed, compounded by unauthorized fees. This verdict is noted as one of, if not the largest, financial compensations in the history of Broward County. The trust, known as the Minors Per Capita Payment Trust, … Read more

Jury Orders Major U.S. Bank to Pay $826 Million to Seminole Tribe’s Children for Trust Mismanagement

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a landmark decision, a Broward County jury has awarded a massive $826 million to the descendants of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This historic verdict, considered one of the largest in county history, comes after claims that a major American bank mismanaged a tribal trust fund over more than a decade, resulting in subpar returns. The lawsuit centered on the Minors Per Capita Payment Trust, initially set up in 2005 with Wachovia Bank, which later came under the control of Wells Fargo in 2008. The trust, designed to financially benefit … Read more