Judge

Oneida County Judge Erin Gall Resigns, Drops Appeal for Reinstatement After Suspension

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UTICA, N.Y. – In a significant development within the Oneida County judiciary, Judge Erin Gall has opted to conclude her battle for reinstatement by tendering her resignation. This decision comes on the heels of her suspension and the subsequent recommendation for her removal by a state disciplinary panel. Judge Gall, who has served on the Fifth Judicial Circuit, faced disciplinary actions after a controversial incident related to conduct outside her son’s graduation party in New Hartford in 2022. This event precipitated the scrutiny and deliberations that led to the judgement of her being unfit to … Read more

Judge Slashes $198 Million From UPS Driver’s Discrimination Award, Maintains $39.6 Million for Emotional Distress

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Yakima, WA — In a significant reduction from an earlier decision, a federal judge in Eastern Washington has reduced a jury’s financial award from $237.6 million to $39.6 million for a former United Parcel Service (UPS) driver, Tahvio Gratton, in a case centered around racial discrimination and retaliation claims. Gratton, who is Black, contended that his termination in October 2021 was in retribution for raising multiple complaints against his managers at the UPS facility in Yakima, where he was stationed from January 2018. These grievances detailed deteriorating working conditions and discriminatory treatment compared to his … Read more

Federal Judge Clears Two Businessmen in Securities Fraud Case, Critiques Prosecution’s Lack of Convincing Evidence

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SAN DIEGO – A local federal court recently ruled in favor of acquitting two businessmen, Jonathan Destler, 61, of Los Angeles, and Robert Lazerus, 68, of Solana Beach, accused in connection with a securities fraud case involving alleged market manipulation tactics. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant dismissed all charges against the pair, raising significant doubts about the sufficiency of evidence presented by prosecutors. The charges stemmed from accusations that Destler, Lazerus, and two others were involved in a sophisticated “pump-and-dump” scheme aimed at inflating the stock value of Loop Industries, a Canadian-based company claiming to … Read more

Missouri Judge Faces Six-Month Suspension, Mental Health Scrutiny After Admitting to Misconduct

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Carrollton, Mo. – The judicial career of Associate Circuit Court Judge Joe Don McGaugh in Missouri’s Eighth Judicial Circuit hangs in the balance as a commission has suggested a severe disciplinary action. The Eighth Judicial Circuit, inclusive of Carroll and Ray counties, could see McGaugh sidelined for six months without salary following allegations of unethical behavior. The Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline delivered a formal notice of alleged misconduct to McGaugh in August, which triggered the investigative and judicial review process. McGaugh has acknowledged the accusations leveled against him and proposed his terms for … Read more