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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Doctor's 84-Month Prison Sentence

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and 84-month prison sentence of Dr. Leovares Mendez, who unlawfully prescribed controlled substances at his Garland, Texas medical clinic. The appeals court rejected challenges to jury instructions, evidence sufficiency, and sentencing enhancement.

•Dr. Leovares Mendez convicted on seven federal charges for unlawfully prescribing controlled substances at Texas clinic

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 84-month prison sentence, rejecting appeals on jury instructions and evidence sufficiency

•Two Housing Authority of South Bend leaders convicted of orchestrating kickback scheme with fake maintenance contracts

7th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Convictions in Housing Authority Kickback Scheme

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed wire fraud convictions against two former Housing Authority of South Bend leaders who orchestrated a kickback scheme involving fake maintenance contracts. The court reversed bank fraud charges while upholding convictions related to the misuse of federal housing funds.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud charges on technical grounds

3w ago•5 min read

•Seventh Circuit affirmed wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud convictions for Housing Authority officials

7th Circuit Upholds Wire Fraud Convictions for Housing Officials

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud convictions for two Housing Authority of South Bend leaders who orchestrated a kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts. The scheme diverted federal funds intended for affordable housing.

•Robinson and Smith orchestrated kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts on federal housing properties

•Seventh Circuit reversed bank fraud convictions on Counts 2-7 for both defendants

7th Circuit Reverses Bank Fraud Convictions in Robinson-Smith Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit granted a petition for panel rehearing and reversed bank fraud convictions for defendants Tonya Robinson and Albert Smith, while affirming their wire fraud convictions. The court directed the district court to enter a judgment of acquittal on the bank fraud counts.

•Wire fraud conviction on Count 8 was affirmed for both defendants

•Seventh Circuit reversed bank fraud convictions on Counts 2-7 but affirmed wire fraud conviction on Count 8

7th Circuit Reverses Bank Fraud Convictions, Orders Acquittal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit granted a petition for panel rehearing and reversed bank fraud convictions for Tonya Robinson and Albert Smith, directing the district court to enter judgments of acquittal. The court's January 28, 2026 order clarified its previous December 15, 2025 opinion with specific remand instructions.

•Court granted defendants' petition for panel rehearing to clarify remand instructions

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms Qualified Immunity for Dallas Jail Officer in Inmate Death

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld qualified immunity for Dallas County Jail Officer Annette Grant in an excessive force case brought by the mother of Shamond Lewis, who died during pretrial detention. The court found that any constitutional violation was not clearly established at the time of the incident.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for Dallas County Jail Officer Annette Grant

•Shamond Lewis died during pretrial detention following disputed use of force incident

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Upholds Immigration Denial in Sexual Assault Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed an immigration judge's denial of permanent residency to a Mexican national who overstayed his visa, after finding his denials of sexual assault allegations lacked credibility. The court rejected constitutional challenges to the immigration proceedings.

•Mexican national who overstayed 2003 tourist visa denied permanent residency after sexual assault allegations

•Immigration judge found petitioner's denials not credible based on inconsistent testimony and Facebook messages

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Revives Job Discrimination Case Over Truck Driver's Past Conviction

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's dismissal of a discrimination case involving a truck driver who was rejected for employment after voluntarily disclosing a 15-year-old armed robbery conviction. The court ruled that Pennsylvania's fair hiring laws apply even when an applicant self-reports their criminal history.

•Third Circuit reversed district court dismissal of employment discrimination case involving criminal history

•Pennsylvania fair hiring law applies even when applicant voluntarily discloses criminal record

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Ruling Against Former Montgomery County Employee

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling in favor of Montgomery County Public Schools in an employment dispute with former employee Kimberly Ann Polk. The published decision issued January 28, 2026, upheld dismissal of claims against the school system and board members.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of employment lawsuit against Montgomery County Public Schools

•Case involved former employee Kimberly Ann Polk suing school system and eight board members in individual and official capacities