Verdict . News

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

9th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity for Washington Health Officials

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials accused of terminating an employee in retaliation for protected First Amendment speech. The ruling allows Erika Henry's federal civil rights lawsuit to proceed against officials Umair Shah, Jessica Todorovich, and Roy Calica.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials in First Amendment retaliation case

•Erika Henry alleges her termination violated her constitutional right to free speech

Regulatory

•Smith faces $200,000 penalty and 3-year trading ban; Nowak receives $150,000 penalty and 6-month ban

CFTC Imposes $350K in Penalties for Precious Metals Spoofing Scheme

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced enforcement actions resulting in $350,000 in civil penalties and multi-year trading bans against two former bank employees who engaged in spoofing activities in precious metals futures markets. The federal court orders conclude a case that began in 2019.

•Both defendants previously convicted in criminal case with prison sentences and additional fines

Regulatory

•Olympus voluntarily expanded recall of ViziShot 2 FLEX needles after components ejected during medical procedures

Olympus Expands Medical Device Recall After Components Eject During Use

Olympus Corporation expanded its voluntary recall of ViziShot 2 FLEX medical needles following reports of device components ejecting or detaching during procedures. The FDA announced the expanded recall action on January 16, 2026, raising patient safety concerns.

•The devices are used in diagnostic chest procedures to obtain tissue samples from lymph nodes

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Reverses Drug Conviction, Rules Evidence Insufficient

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Paul Belloisi's drug smuggling conviction, ruling the government failed to prove he knew the contraband in an airplane's avionics compartment contained controlled substances. The court held that while Belloisi admitted to unauthorized access at JFK Airport, evidence was insufficient to show knowledge of the specific drug conspiracy.

•Second Circuit reversed Paul Belloisi's drug smuggling conviction for insufficient evidence of knowledge

•Court held government failed to prove defendant knew contraband contained controlled substances

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal in Cruz De Saenz Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Karla Rubenia Cruz De Saenz challenging a Board of Immigration Appeals decision. The January 16, 2026 ruling drew support from seven major immigration advocacy organizations.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously denied the petition for review in an unpublished opinion

•Seven prominent immigration rights organizations filed amicus briefs supporting the petitioner

Regulatory

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit Reviews Oklahoma Child Support Enforcement Case

Linh Tran Stephens has appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging Oklahoma Child Support Services' enforcement actions that led to the levy of her retirement account. The case involves multiple defendants including state officials and Charles Schwab & Co.

•Tenth Circuit reviews challenge to Oklahoma Child Support Services enforcement action involving retirement account levy

•Case includes multiple defendants from state agencies, Charles Schwab & Co., and individual officials in dual capacities

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Restitution Order in Cyberstalking Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a restitution order against Kyle Stevens, who pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and making interstate threats against a University of Delaware victim. Stevens had challenged the inclusion of post-arrest costs and car registration expenses in the restitution calculation.

•Kyle Stevens pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and interstate threats against a University of Delaware classmate

•Stevens sent violent threats from Germany between September and November 2021, including death threats

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms 100-Month Sentence in Felon Gun Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction and 100-month prison sentence of Victorious Minter for unlawful firearm possession following a road rage incident in Scranton. The court ruled that a recent Supreme Court decision foreclosed Minter's primary argument on appeal.

•Minter convicted of unlawful firearm possession after brandishing gun during January 2022 road rage incident in Scranton

•Third Circuit affirmed 100-month sentence, noting recent Supreme Court ruling foreclosed defendant's main appellate argument

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Convictions in Nursing Diploma Scheme

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences of three defendants—Gail Russ, Vilaire Duroseau, and Cassandre Jean—for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. The case involved issuing fake nursing diplomas and transcripts from April 2016 through July 2021.

•Three defendants convicted of operating fraudulent nursing diploma scheme from 2016-2021

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed both wire fraud convictions and sentences on appeal