Verdict . News

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing hostile work environment and retaliation claims

6th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Sexual Harassment Case Against CEO

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of sexual harassment claims against WNB Group LLC and its CEO Jay Wallis. The court ruled that plaintiff Lorna Vinsant failed to establish that alleged harassment created a hostile work environment or that retaliation occurred.

•Court found alleged harassment did not meet legal standard for severity or pervasiveness under Title VII

•Sixth Circuit affirmed complete dismissal based on absolute and qualified immunity protections for township officials

6th Circuit Affirms Township Victory in Michigan Zoning Immunity Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's complete dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Benjamin and Sarah Martin and their company Soil Friends, LLC against Charter Township of Comstock, Michigan. The appeals court upheld immunity protections for municipal officials in the zoning dispute.

•Case involved farm owners challenging zoning restrictions on their commercial wine and cider operations

•Jarrod Sanford received 80 years in prison for federal child exploitation charges including production and possession of child pornography

6th Circuit Affirms 80-Year Sentence in Child Pornography Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed Tuesday the conviction and 80-year prison sentence of Jarrod Sanford on federal charges including production and possession of child pornography. The appeals court rejected multiple arguments challenging evidence admission and sentencing.

•The Sixth Circuit rejected challenges to evidence admission, including testimony about uncharged sexual abuse of the victim

•Smith pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine after police searches

6th Circuit Reviews Drug Distribution Case with Search Warrant Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion in United States v. Michael Warren Smith, Jr., involving a defendant who pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine after police executed search warrants at two properties. The case centers on challenges to the validity of the search warrants used in the investigation.

•Law enforcement conducted months-long investigation using confidential informants, surveillance, GPS tracking, and phone records

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed attorney's fees award to Equity Resources after jury victory against Revolution Mortgage

6th Circuit Affirms Attorney's Fees Award in Trade Secret Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to award reduced attorney's fees to Equity Resources, Inc. following its jury victory against T2 Financial, LLC d/b/a Revolution Mortgage in a trade secrets and business interference case. The appeals court rejected Revolution Mortgage's arguments challenging the fee award.

•Original case involved allegations of trade secret theft and business interference in competitive mortgage lending market

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Jackson pleaded guilty to federal felon in possession of firearm charges after discarding weapon during police chase

6th Circuit Upholds 51-Month Sentence in Felon Gun Possession Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 51-month prison sentence for Raekwon Undral Jackson, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jackson challenged his sentence as substantively unreasonable, arguing the district court gave excessive weight to deterrence factors.

•District court imposed 51-month sentence at bottom of Guidelines range

Jan 6, 2026•2 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 121-month prison sentence for Fatai Okunola's role in Nigerian-based online fraud scheme

Sixth Circuit Affirms 121-Month Sentence in Nigerian Fraud Scheme

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the 121-month prison sentence for Fatai Okunola, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to a Nigerian-based online fraud scheme targeting vulnerable individuals. Okunola challenged his sentence as procedurally and substantively unreasonable.

•Okunola pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, false naturalization statements, and money laundering charges

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Energy Harbor Nuclear Corporation's termination of longtime employee William Shears

6th Circuit Upholds Nuclear Worker's Termination in Time Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed Energy Harbor Nuclear Corporation's termination of William Shears, rejecting his claims of disability and age discrimination. The court upheld a lower court's dismissal of Shears' lawsuit challenging his firing following a timesheet falsification investigation.

•Court rejected Shears' claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation

Jan 2, 2026•2 min read

•David Johnson received 446-month federal prison sentence for armed robbery and firearm violations

6th Circuit Upholds 37-Year Sentence for Armed Robbery Convictions

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 446-month prison sentence for David Johnson, who was convicted on nine federal counts including armed robbery and firearm violations. The January 2026 decision upholds convictions stemming from multiple robberies affecting interstate commerce in Ohio.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed convictions on nine counts including robbery affecting commerce and firearm charges