Verdict . News

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Three defendants convicted of operating fraudulent nursing diploma scheme from 2016-2021

11th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Convictions in Nursing Diploma Scheme

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences of three defendants—Gail Russ, Vilaire Duroseau, and Cassandre Jean—for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. The case involved issuing fake nursing diplomas and transcripts from April 2016 through July 2021.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed both wire fraud convictions and sentences on appeal

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed SEC victory against Spartan Securities Group in microcap fraud case involving 19 shell companies

11th Circuit Upholds SEC Victory in $19M Microcap Securities Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the SEC's victory against Spartan Securities Group and associated defendants in a complex microcap securities fraud case involving nineteen shell companies that sold securities at inflated prices.

•Defendants created shell companies with no business operations and sold securities at inflated prices

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of Lowery's Title VII and ADA claims for failure to state a claim

11th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Discrimination Claims vs Racing Group

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the dismissal of employment discrimination claims filed by Valerie Lowery against Jefferson County Racing Association. The appeals court found that Lowery's pro se complaint failed to state valid claims under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

•Plaintiff alleged race discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation against racing association

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of FCRA claims against TransUnion, Experian, and Upstart Network

11th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of FCRA Claims vs TransUnion

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of Fair Credit Reporting Act claims brought by Ray'Quan Harding against TransUnion LLC, Experian Information Solutions, and Upstart Network Inc. The unpublished decision represents another challenge for consumers seeking to hold credit reporting agencies accountable under federal law.

•Case involved allegations of inaccurate credit reporting related to a $5,000 personal loan

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Lewis was convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) for brandishing a firearm in relation to a Hobbs Act robbery

11th Circuit Upholds Firearm Conviction in Hobbs Act Robbery Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit rejected Jordan Lewis's appeal of his federal firearm conviction, which was based on brandishing a weapon during a Hobbs Act robbery. Lewis had argued that Hobbs Act robbery should not qualify as a crime of violence under federal sentencing guidelines.

•He challenged whether Hobbs Act robbery qualifies as a crime of violence under federal law

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Carter received a 78-month sentence for felon in possession of firearm under federal law

11th Circuit Upholds 78-Month Sentence for Felon Firearm Possession

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 78-month sentence for Christian Isaiah Carter, who was convicted of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Carter challenged the district court's classification of his prior Georgia aggravated assault conviction as a 'crime of violence' for sentencing enhancement purposes.

•The main issue was whether Georgia aggravated assault qualifies as a 'crime of violence' for sentencing enhancement

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Edson Gelin, serving 600 months for drug and firearm charges, lost his compassionate release appeal

11th Circuit Denies Compassionate Release for Drug Offender's 50-Year Term

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a compassionate release motion filed by federal prisoner Edson Gelin, who is serving a 600-month sentence for narcotics and firearm convictions. Gelin, representing himself pro se, argued the district court abused its discretion by failing to consider intervening changes in law and his health conditions.

•The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of his pro se motion under federal statute

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit reversed district court's denial of forfeiture money judgment in money laundering case

11th Circuit Orders Forfeiture in Panama Money Laundering Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a forfeiture money judgment against Nidal Ahmed Waked Hatum, who pled guilty in 2017 to conspiracy to commit money laundering involving fraudulent bank transactions in Panama.

•Defendant admitted to fraudulent banking scheme between Panama and U.S. through Florida corporations

Jan 13, 2026•2 min read

•Melvin Ford received one year and one day custody (as recommended by parties) plus five years supervised release (not recommended by parties)

11th Circuit Upholds Supervised Release Term in Ford Revocation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled in United States v. Melvin Ford that a district court did not err in imposing a five-year supervised release term following revocation proceedings. Ford had challenged the sentence, arguing the court improperly considered retribution and violated the Eighth Amendment.

•Ford challenged the supervised release term, claiming improper consideration of retribution and Eighth Amendment violations