Verdict . News

Regulatory

•Federal Reserve terminates enforcement actions against Goldman Sachs and Metropolitan Commercial Bank

Fed Terminates Enforcement Actions Against Goldman Sachs, Metropolitan

The Federal Reserve Board announced the termination of enforcement actions against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Metropolitan Commercial Bank. The decision indicates both institutions have satisfied regulatory requirements to resolve their compliance issues.

•Both institutions satisfied regulatory requirements to resolve compliance issues

Regulatory

•FTC settlement requires Nomad to return recovered funds to consumers and implement mandatory information security program following $186 million hack

FTC Orders Nomad to Return $186M After Massive Security Breach

The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with Illusory Systems Inc., operating as Nomad, requiring the company to return recovered funds and implement comprehensive security measures after hackers exploited coding vulnerabilities to steal $186 million from consumers in July 2022.

•Company's inadequate coding practices and failure to test software led to preventable security breach in July 2022 that cost consumers $100 million

•Supreme Court of Guam declined to rule on ineffective assistance of counsel claims due to incomplete record

Supreme Court of Guam

Guam Supreme Court Declines to Rule on Ineffective Counsel Claims

The Supreme Court of Guam declined to address ineffective assistance of counsel claims on direct appeal in People of Guam v. Robby Narruhn, instructing the defendant to pursue the matter through other legal channels. Narruhn was convicted of burglary and third-degree criminal sexual conduct following a jury trial.

•Court expressed concerns about trial counsel's 'general inaction' and questionable trial strategy

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Reviews State v. Bolden Hit-and-Run Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued an opinion in State v. Christopher Bolden, a criminal case involving evasion of responsibility and evidence tampering charges. The defendant was convicted after striking and killing a pedestrian with his SUV, fleeing the scene, and abandoning the vehicle.

•Connecticut Supreme Court issued opinion in State v. Christopher Bolden involving fatal hit-and-run charges

•Defendant convicted of evasion of responsibility and tampering with physical evidence after striking and killing pedestrian

Supreme Court of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Supreme Court Hears Challenge to State Education Policies

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Dec. 16 addressed a petition from religious leaders and multiple families challenging state education policies. Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall and other plaintiffs sought extraordinary relief against State Superintendent Lindel Fields and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

•Oklahoma Supreme Court heard petition from religious leaders and families challenging state education policies

•Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall led coalition seeking extraordinary relief against State Superintendent Lindel Fields

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts SJC Rules on Liquor License Collateral Restrictions

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court addressed whether contractual provisions prohibiting the use of liquor licenses as loan collateral violate public policy. The case involves a commercial lease dispute between N&M Trust VII and Burn, LLC over alcoholic beverage licensing rights.

•Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court addressed whether contractual provisions prohibiting liquor license collateralization violate public policy

•Case involves commercial lease dispute between N&M Trust VII and Burn, LLC over alcoholic beverage licensing arrangements

New York Court of Appeals

NY Court Upholds Denial of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits to Carmody

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of pandemic unemployment assistance to Mike H. Carmody, ruling that the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board correctly applied the 'total unemployment' standard under state labor law. The court also upheld penalties against Carmody for allegedly making false statements to obtain benefits.

•Court of Appeals affirmed denial of pandemic unemployment benefits to Mike H. Carmody

•Board correctly applied 'total unemployment' standard under Labor Law sections 522 and 591(1)

New York Court of Appeals

NY High Court: DMV Can Use Police Reports Despite Officer No-Shows

The New York Court of Appeals ruled that the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend a driver's license based on written police reports even when officers fail to appear after being subpoenaed. The court held that existing enforcement procedures provide adequate due process protection.

•New York's highest court ruled DMV can suspend licenses based on police reports even when officers fail to appear at hearings

•Motorists must use existing subpoena enforcement procedures before claiming due process violations

New York Court of Appeals

NY Court Rules Religious Institution Can Fire Teacher Over Political Blog

The New York Court of Appeals ruled that Westchester Reform Temple lawfully terminated teacher Jessie Sander for co-authoring a blog post critical of Israel and Zionism. The court applied the ministerial exception, which bars employment discrimination claims against religious institutions involving ministers.

•New York Court of Appeals ruled teacher's termination was protected by ministerial exception

•Court declined to decide whether political blogging constitutes protected 'recreational activities' under state labor law