In opening statements in state court in Dallas, lawyers for the family of Gabriel Vela say EnLink Midstream cut corners in its rush to expand the plant. Defense lawyers say Vela’s actions led to his death.
Alleged Kickbacks in Pharmacy Fraud Trial Were Legitimate Loans to Doctors, Defense Lawyers Contend
In opening statements, the defense attorneys tell jurors in Dallas their clients did not write thousands of bogus prescriptions, for which the government was billed $196 million, as a federal indictment contends.
Biden Nominates Three for U.S. Attorney Slots in Texas
Long-awaited nominations are in to lead prosecutions for the Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Two of the nominees are veteran federal prosecutors; the third was El Paso’s DA for 27 years. Still to come: a nominee as U.S. attorney in the Eastern District. Bruce Tomaso has the details.
$158M Healthcare Fraud Trial Starts in Dallas Next Week
Long delayed by COVID, the trial involves what federal authorities say is a $158 million scam by doctors and pharmacies to bill a government workers’ insurance program for fraudulent, ultra-costly prescriptions.
Texas Supreme Court Weighs Meaning of ‘Double Fractions’ in Ancient Oil-and-Gas Agreements
In one case alone, $50 million in disputed royalties are at stake. And that could be just the tip of the iceberg.
For the Best Deal, Come Clean, Top DOJ Prosecutor Advises Corporate Wrongdoers
At the 8th annual Government Enforcement Institute in Dallas, the assistant U.S. attorney general in charge of the criminal division says new guidelines favor companies with vigorous compliance practices.
5th Circuit Weighing Appeals in Forest Park Medical Fraud Convictions
Seven imprisoned defendants, including four physicians, make their case for reversal before appellate court.
Sources: Counterterrorism and Corruption Expert Front-Runner To Be Next SDTX U.S. Attorney
Alamdar Hamdani has been in the limelight in Houston for prosecuting crooked cops and ISIS collaborators. The former deputy chief of the Justice Department’s counterterrorism section appears poised to take over one of the nation’s busiest U.S. attorney’s offices.
Widow of ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill Wins Injunction Against Bogus ‘Estate Sale’ of His Personal Items
Charleen McCrory Hill, the late bassist’s wife of nearly 20 years, says in court documents that she never authorized the June memorabilia sale in Houston and didn’t even know about it until she saw press coverage of the event.
Charter/Spectrum Hit With Staggering $7B in Punitive Damages in 2019 Murder of 83-year-old Cable Customer
A Dallas County jury deliberated less than two hours before finding that the cable giant was liable for the exemplary damages on top of an earlier verdict of $375 million in actual damages.