Verdict . News

Regulatory

•CFTC filed fraud charges against Brian Mitchell, Kevin Mack Jr., and Young Pros Investment Group LLC for allegedly defrauding 33 investors of approximately $1 million

CFTC Charges Two Men with $1M Futures Fraud, Registration Violations

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed federal charges against Brian Mitchell, Kevin Mack Jr., and their Michigan company Young Pros Investment Group LLC for allegedly defrauding approximately 33 investors out of $1 million through a commodity trading scheme that operated as a Ponzi-style fraud from December 2020 through May 2022.

•Defendants allegedly operated Ponzi-style scheme using new investor funds to pay earlier participants while concealing trading losses through false statements

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland High Court Imposes Stricter Discipline Than Federal Suspension

The Maryland Supreme Court rejected a joint recommendation for reciprocal discipline and imposed stricter sanctions on attorney Tristan Wade Gillespie than the four-month federal suspension he received. The court determined that corresponding discipline requires indefinite suspension due to differences in reinstatement standards between state and federal courts.

•Maryland Supreme Court rejected joint recommendation for four-month reciprocal discipline

•Court found federal suspension insufficient due to different reinstatement requirements

•Nebraska Supreme Court issued ruling in State v. Kruger on November 21, 2025, clarifying evidence admissibility standards

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Rules in State v. Kruger

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling in State v. Kruger on November 21, 2025, establishing key precedents for evidence admissibility standards and appellate review procedures in criminal cases. The decision clarifies when trial courts have discretion in evidentiary matters and sets standards for reviewing criminal convictions.

•Court held that judicial discretion in evidence matters applies only when specifically provided by Nebraska Evidence Rules

•Court establishes that Nebraska Evidence Rules control admissibility, with judicial discretion limited to specific circumstances outlined in the rules

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Standards in State v. Kruger

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Kruger on November 21, 2025, establishing clear guidelines for evidence admissibility and appellate review standards in criminal proceedings. The ruling clarifies when judicial discretion applies versus mandatory rule application under Nebraska Evidence Rules.

•Decision clarifies appellate review standards, requiring abuse of discretion review when evidence rules grant trial court discretion

Regulatory

•Federal court entered final judgment for $51 million total against Safeguard Metals LLC and Jeffrey Ikahn

CFTC Secures $51 Million Judgment Against Precious Metals Fraud Operation

The CFTC and 30 state regulators secured a $51 million federal court judgment against Safeguard Metals LLC and its principal Jeffrey Ikahn for operating a nationwide precious metals fraud scheme. The judgment includes $25.6 million in victim restitution and an equal amount in civil penalties.

•Scheme involved nationwide precious metals fraud targeting investors

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

SJC Rules Juvenile Courts Can Grant CWOF for Firearms Charges

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Juvenile Court judges may impose a continuance without a finding (CWOF) for juveniles charged with carrying a firearm without a license. The decision in Commonwealth v. Quahir Q. resolves a key question about sentencing options in juvenile firearms cases.

•Supreme Judicial Court ruled that juvenile judges can grant continuances without finding (CWOF) for firearms charges under G.L. c. 269, § 10(a)

•Court emphasized rehabilitative goals of juvenile justice system and statutory discretion granted to Juvenile Court judges

•Butler was convicted of sexually abusing his younger sister over four years when she was ages 4-8

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Child Abuse Conviction Despite Limited Testimony

The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed Sidney Butler's sexual abuse conviction, ruling that his sister's limited courtroom testimony satisfied constitutional confrontation requirements even though she claimed not to remember the abuse detailed in a forensic video interview.

•The victim provided biographical information in court but claimed not to remember abuse details from her forensic interview

•Illinois Supreme Court accepted appeal from Chicago Police Retirement Board challenging appellate court ruling on disability benefits

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Hears Police Disability Benefits Appeal

The Illinois Supreme Court has accepted an appeal from the Chicago Police Retirement Board challenging an appellate court decision that would have required the board to award disability benefits to officer Donald B. Moreland. The case centers on whether the retirement board properly denied duty disability benefits despite the Chicago Police Department's determination that Moreland was disabled.

•Case involves officer Donald Moreland whose disability benefits were initially denied but later ordered by appellate court

•David Gonzales challenged his continued sex offender parole supervision due to alleged failures to hold timely duration review hearings

New Mexico Supreme Court

New Mexico Supreme Court Remands Sex Offender Parole Case

The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a dispositional order remanding David Gonzales v. State of New Mexico to the district court for reconsideration. The case involves a pro se petitioner challenging his continued indeterminate sex-offender parole supervision after alleged failures to hold timely duration review hearings.

•The Supreme Court held the case in abeyance pending its decision in the related Aragon v. Martinez case