Sues

From Behind Bars to Lead Plaintiff: Virginia Man Sues Over Extended Sentence Despite New Early Release Law

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Richmond, VA – After a grueling 11 years behind bars for attempted robbery and firearms use, Leslie Puryear anticipated his freedom, bolstered by a Virginia law designed to reduce prison sentences for exemplary conduct and rehabilitation efforts. As part of a 2020 criminal justice reform borne out of nationwide calls for a more equitable system, Puryear had qualified for early release, only to find his dreams dashed when corrections officials recalculated his sentence, adding three more years to his time in prison. Initially encouraged by the reforms, which promised a significant decrease of his 18-year … Read more

Former Lancaster Deputy Sues for Job Reinstatement After Dismissal for Not Executing Warrant

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LINCOLN, Neb. — A former Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputy is contesting his termination after being accused of neglecting to arrest two individuals despite active warrants for their arrest. The former officer, Ryan Schmuecker, initiated legal proceedings against Lancaster County, the Sheriff’s office, Sheriff Terry Wagner, and the office’s Merit Commission, challenging the grounds of his dismissal. At the center of the controversy is an incident on Feb. 18 when Schmuecker, then a sergeant, allegedly came across two individuals wanted on outstanding warrants. According to Sheriff Wagner, Schmuecker advised the two to resolve their issues by … Read more

Legal Battle Ignites as Gulfside Casino Sues Cherokee Nation Businesses Over Arkansas Casino License

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Pope County, AR — The contest for the Pope County casino license has escalated into the courts, sparking a lawsuit that pits the Gulfside Casino Partnership against Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB). Gulfside, which finds its home base in Mississippi, lodged formal complaints against CNB, alleging the use of unethical practices to secure the coveted gaming license. At the heart of the lawsuit, filed last Tuesday, is the claim that Cherokee Nation Businesses used coercion and possibly unlawful tactics. Gulfside alleges that these methods were employed to influence local officials and thereby gain an upper hand … Read more

Veterans Affairs Employee Sues Over Allegedly Inaccessible Electronic Health Records System

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WASHINGTON — A lawsuit has been filed by Laurette Santos, a Department of Veterans Affairs employee, against the VA concerning its implementation of a new electronic health record system which she claims is not accessible to users with disabilities, particularly affecting employees and veterans who are visually impaired. The litigation, initiated last month in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, centers on the system’s failure to integrate with screen readers and other assistive technologies. Santos, who has served as a licensed social worker at the VA for over a decade, currently works … Read more