Federal

Federal Way Lawyer, Shawn Harju, Faces Allegations in $20 Million Fraud Scheme

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Federal Way, WA – A prominent attorney from Federal Way, Shawn Harju, stands accused of masterminding a sophisticated fraud scheme involving over $20 million, according to federal prosecutors. The investigation, which unfolded over several months, has led to a series of charges that portray a complex network of deceit spanning various states. Harju, 54, who has been practicing law in the area for over two decades, allegedly used his legal expertise to manipulate trust accounts. Prosecutors assert that he diverted funds from these accounts to finance a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing luxury vehicles and real … Read more

Federal Judge Upholds Noncompete Ban, Paving the Way for Supreme Court Battle

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WASHINGTON — A federal judge recently ruled against a request to temporarily block enforcement of a sweeping new regulation that prohibits the use of noncompete clauses nationwide, setting the stage for a potential battle that could reach the U.S. Supreme. The controversial policy, initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), seeks to end the common practice used by employers to prevent employees from joining competitors or starting similar businesses within a certain time frame after leaving the company. Opponents of the FTC’s rule argue that noncompete agreements are crucial for protecting trade secrets and maintaining … Read more

Federal Judge Upholds Utah’s Social Media Laws Aimed to Protect Minors, Dismisses Tech Group’s First Amendment Claim

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SALT LAKE CITY — A pivotal lawsuit aimed at challenging Utah’s regulations on social media usage among minors faced a recent setback when a federal judge upheld the state’s rights over certain platform functionalities. These regulations, which restrict features like autoplay and infinite scrolling for minor-owned accounts, were defended as necessary protections against the potential harms of social media on youth. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby dismissed a key claim by NetChoice, a tech industry group representing major platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. NetChoice had contested that Utah’s rules were preempted … Read more

Federal Appeals Court Upholds $523,327 Award to Virginia Family for Pipeline Land Seizure

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Roanoke, VA — In a unanimous decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, a Virginia family’s right to fair compensation was upheld, restoring a $523,327 jury verdict. The court’s decision countered a lower court that had reduced the Terry family’s compensation by half in a dispute over land taken for a pipeline project. The involved property, an 8.37-acre tract in Roanoke County, Virginia, was appropriated by Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC under the provisions of the Natural Gas Act for the construction of a natural gas conduit stretching from West Virginia to … Read more