Office

Federal Judge Allows Punitive Damages in Lawsuit Against Trumbull County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office

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Warren, Ohio – Trumbull County commissioners and members of the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office may face individual liability for punitive damages in a lawsuit brought by Commissioner Niki Frenchko, according to U.S. District Judge Philip Calabrese’s recent order. The judge’s ruling stated that if the case goes to trial, a jury could find that Sheriff Paul Monroe, county Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa, former Commissioner Frank Fuda, and two sheriff’s office sergeants conspired to have Frenchko arrested during a commissioners meeting in July 2022. The lawsuit, filed on Frenchko’s behalf by attorneys David Betras and Matt Miller-Novak, … Read more

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management Urges Lawmakers to Revamp Marijuana Laws for Faster Business Launch and Social Equity Support

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Bloomington, Minnesota – The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has urged state lawmakers to make adjustments to marijuana laws during this legislative session to expedite the establishment of cannabis businesses. In their initial report to the Legislature, the agency proposed various specific changes, one of which includes implementing a temporary license system, with a particular focus on aiding social equity applicants. These applicants are individuals who have been impacted by past criminal enforcement of marijuana laws, either directly or indirectly. The report emphasizes that implementing a temporary license system would not only speed up the … Read more

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Deputy Director Accused of Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Resulting in Delays for Wildfire Victims

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Sacramento, California – A lawsuit filed at Sacramento County Superior Court accuses a deputy director for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) of sexual harassment and claims that retaliation resulted in a delay in state support for wildfire victims. The plaintiff in the case, identified as Kendra Bowyer, alleges that she experienced a year of inappropriate comments and advances from deputy director Ryan Buras, including non-consensual touching and trying to enter her bed while she was sleeping. The lawsuit also accuses Cal OES of failing to respond to previous reports of harassment … Read more

Finnish Director Aki Kaurismäki’s ‘Fallen Leaves’ Soars at Box Office with $12.4M Gross

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HELSINKI, FINLAND – Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki has achieved his highest global box office success in a decade with his Cannes Jury Prize winner, “Fallen Leaves,” which has grossed $12.4 million, according to data released by the film’s producers. This marks the director’s second highest box office result, trailing only behind his 2011 drama “Le Havre.” The love story set in Helsinki, which depicts the challenging union of two lost souls, has become the highest grossing local film ever in Finland, raking in $3.6 million domestically. Following its premiere at the Cannes Competition, the film … Read more