Verdict . News

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Upholds Wire Fraud in Housing Authority Kickback Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed wire fraud convictions against two Housing Authority of South Bend officials who orchestrated a kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts, while reversing their bank fraud convictions due to insufficient evidence.

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

•Robinson and Smith orchestrated kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts at South Bend housing properties

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Above-Guidelines Sentence for Supervised Release Violation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence for Emilio Garcia, who violated his supervised release by stealing a car while intoxicated in Toledo, Ohio. The court upheld the district court's above-guidelines sentencing decision.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 36-month above-guidelines sentence for supervised release violation

•Garcia stole an unlocked car with a 4-year-old inside while intoxicated in Toledo

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Upholds Hartford's Denial of COVID-19 Business Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that favored Hartford Fire Insurance Company in denying pandemic-related business interruption claims from retailer Walters & Mason Retail Inc. The January 27, 2026 decision adds to federal precedent on COVID-19 insurance disputes.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Hartford Fire Insurance's denial of COVID-19 business interruption claims

•Court rejected retailer's argument for multi-state choice-of-law analysis covering all 22 affected states

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Denies Immigration Relief for Mexican Father of US Citizens

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied Carlos Orta Martinez's petition for review, affirming the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to reject his application for cancellation of removal and motion to reopen. The January 27, 2026 ruling featured a partial dissent, highlighting disagreement over hardship standards in immigration cases.

•Sixth Circuit denied Carlos Orta Martinez's petition challenging denial of cancellation of removal and motion to reopen

•Court affirmed BIA's finding that Martinez failed to prove exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to his U.S. citizen children

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Blue Shield Denial in ERISA Benefits Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Blue Shield of California in an ERISA benefits dispute. The case involved a father and son seeking coverage for residential mental health treatment that was denied as not medically necessary.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed Blue Shield of California's denial of benefits for residential mental health treatment

•Court applied abuse-of-discretion standard, giving deference to plan administrator's medical necessity determination

•Second Circuit affirmed Paul Fishbein's criminal conviction in summary order

Second Circuit Affirms Paul Fishbein Criminal Conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a criminal conviction against Paul Fishbein in a summary order issued January 27, 2026. The three-judge panel upheld a February 2024 judgment from the Southern District of New York.

•Three-judge panel upheld February 2024 district court judgment

•Second Circuit affirmed district court ruling in favor of NYC Department of Education

Second Circuit Affirms Ruling Against NYC Parent in Schools Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling against Shannon Thomason in her education-related lawsuit against NYC Schools Chancellor David C. Banks and the Department of Education. The January 27, 2026 summary order provides no precedential value but resolves the specific dispute.

•Shannon Thomason sued as individual and guardian of minor child E.P. against Chancellor Banks

•Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued non-precedential summary order in criminal case No. 24-2532-cr

Second Circuit Issues Summary Order in United States v. Concepcion

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on January 27, 2026, in the criminal case United States v. Jesus Concepcion (No. 24-2532-cr). The three-judge panel rendered a non-precedential decision in this federal criminal appeal from the Southern District of New York.

•Three-judge panel included Circuit Judges Dennis Jacobs, José A. Cabranes, and Raymond J. Lohier Jr.

•Second Circuit affirmed misdemeanor conviction under Defense Production Act of 1950

Second Circuit Affirms PPE Price Gouging Conviction Under Defense Production Act

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has affirmed the conviction of Kent Bulloch for conspiracy to violate the Defense Production Act during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bulloch was found guilty of participating in a scheme to purchase personal protective equipment in bulk and resell it for profit during the national emergency.

•Case involved bulk purchasing and reselling of PPE for profit during COVID-19 pandemic