Black Man’s Family Awarded $1.5 Million in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Detroit Police

Detroit, Michigan – A federal jury in Detroit has awarded $1.5 million to the family of a Black man who was killed by the city’s police. The jury found that two officers, Tyler Nagy and Raul Martinez, had used excessive force in their response to a report of an armed and intoxicated person in October of 2018. The officers approached Lamont Johnson, shining a flashlight in his eyes and shouting at him to put his hands up. Less than three seconds later, both officers opened fire on Johnson, who was found to have a handgun … Read more

Texas Judge Moves Lawsuit Challenging CFPB’s $8 Credit Card Late Fee Rule to D.C., Dealing Blow to Credit Card Industry

FORT WORTH, Texas – In a blow to banks and credit card issuers, a Texas judge has agreed to move a lawsuit challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s $8 credit card late fee rule to the District of Columbia. The ruling by Judge Mark T. Pittman is a setback for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and five other trade groups that sued the CFPB in March to stop the rule from taking effect on May 14. The CFPB accused the trade groups of engaging in “forum shopping” by filing the case in Texas to find … Read more

Local Police Face Legal Challenge over Wiretapping Lawsuit

PITTSBURGH, PA – Pittsburgh police are facing a lawsuit over allegations of illegal wiretapping. The lawsuit was filed by Matthew Lackner, a former Pittsburgh police detective, who claims that he was wrongfully wiretapped during a federal drug investigation. Lackner alleges that the wiretapping violated state and federal laws, as well as his right to privacy. The lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress and violation of constitutional rights. According to Lackner’s attorney, the wiretapping occurred between February 2018 and July 2020 while Lackner was working undercover on the drug investigation. The lawsuit claims that the wiretapping … Read more

D.C. Superior Court Judge Clears Path for Ranked-Choice Voting and Independent Participation in Primaries Despite Lawsuit

WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent ruling by a D.C. Superior Court judge has given a significant boost to the campaign advocating for ranked-choice voting and open primaries in Washington, D.C. The judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block the ballot initiative, clearing the way for its progress. Initiative 83, as it has become known, aims to extend the right to participate in party primaries to independent voters and introduce ranked-choice voting to the city. Under the initiative, the more than 73,000 unaffiliated voters in D.C. would be able to take part in primary elections … Read more