Verdict . News

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms DOD Employee Termination in MSPB Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Department of Defense's decision to terminate employee Diana Z. Kammunkun, upholding a Merit Systems Protection Board ruling. The nonprecedential decision represents another instance of federal courts backing agency personnel actions in employment disputes.

•Federal Circuit affirmed DOD's termination of Diana Z. Kammunkun

•Merit Systems Protection Board previously upheld the agency's removal decision

•Sixth Circuit reversed district court order compelling Kellanova to arbitrate union grievances

6th Circuit Reverses Order to Arbitrate in Kellanova Labor Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a district court order requiring Kellanova to arbitrate employee grievances, ruling against Bakery Workers Union Local No. 70 in a dispute over expired collective bargaining agreements at the company's Grand Rapids bakery.

•Dispute involved expired collective bargaining agreement at Grand Rapids bakery facility

•Sixth Circuit examined what online actions constitute valid contract formation between consumers and websites

6th Circuit Rules on Digital Contract Formation in Rocket Mortgage Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in *Dahdah v. Rocket Mortgage, LLC*, examining how valid contracts are formed online when websites require consumers to agree to terms through digital actions like clicking buttons or registering accounts.

•Case was recommended for publication, indicating precedential value for future digital contract disputes

•Erica Crabb embezzled over $460,000 using corporate credit cards for personal expenses

6th Circuit Upholds Conviction in $461K Corporate Credit Card Fraud

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Erica Crabb, who embezzled over $460,000 from her employer using corporate credit cards for personal expenses. The court upheld her sentence of one year and a day in prison plus three years of supervised release.

•She concealed the fraud through carefully timed payments and false accounting entries

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Jeffrey Munro's 92-month sentence for methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

6th Circuit Affirms 92-Month Sentence in Meth Distribution Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 92-month prison sentence for Jeffrey Scott Munro, who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Munro had challenged his sentence as substantively unreasonable.

•Investigation revealed Munro was part of network supplying Marquette County with methamphetamine by the pound

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Appeals Court Reviews Class Action Against DHS Secretary Noem

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a class action lawsuit challenging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other top immigration officials. The case involves six named plaintiffs representing a broader class of similarly situated individuals.

•Six named plaintiffs are challenging DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and other top immigration officials in a class action lawsuit

•The case has drawn amicus support from 21 states backing the federal defendants

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Navy FOIA Denial Against Retired Marine Captain

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment against retired Marine Captain Rory M. Walsh in his Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Department of the Navy. The brief unpublished decision upheld the lower court's reasoning without providing additional analysis.

•Eighth Circuit unanimously affirmed summary judgment against retired Marine Captain Walsh in FOIA lawsuit

•Court provided minimal analysis, deferring to district court's reasoning in unpublished decision

State Court

•New Mexico Supreme Court denied inmate's constitutional challenge to corrections property policy

New Mexico Supreme Court

New Mexico Supreme Court Denies Inmate Property Rights Claim

The New Mexico Supreme Court denied inmate Bryce Franklin's constitutional challenge to the state corrections department's property policy. The court ruled Franklin failed to establish a protected property interest under the New Mexico Constitution in acquiring items through the corrections system.

•Court found no protected property interest under state constitution in inmate property acquisition procedures

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Monroe Police Custody Death Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment favoring the City of Monroe and other defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from David Harris's death in police custody.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing all wrongful death claims against Monroe defendants

•Case involved David Harris's death in police custody with claims against city, officers, and hospital