Verdict . News

•Seventh Circuit affirmed wire fraud convictions for kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts at Housing Authority of South Bend

7th Circuit Upholds Wire Fraud, Reverses Bank Fraud in Housing Scheme

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud convictions against two Housing Authority of South Bend officials who orchestrated a kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts. Tonya Robinson and Albert Smith used their leadership positions to enrich themselves by hiring contractors for non-existent work and taking cuts of the payments.

•Court reversed bank fraud convictions due to government's failure to prove false statements were made to a bank

•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

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 affirmed federal law prohibiting firearms with obliterated serial numbers

7th Circuit Upholds Gun Serial Number Law Under Bruen Test

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the constitutionality of federal law prohibiting possession of firearms with obliterated serial numbers, rejecting a Second Amendment challenge based on the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision. The court ruled in United States v. Jose Reyna that the law does not violate constitutional protections.

•Court rejected Second Amendment challenge based on Supreme Court's Bruen decision

•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

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

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.

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

•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

3w ago•5 min read

•Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of all constitutional and malicious prosecution claims against four Chicago police officers

7th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Police Misconduct Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment dismissal of constitutional and malicious prosecution claims against four Chicago police officers. Oneal Johnson was injured during transport to the police station in April 2019 after refusing to wear a seatbelt and being thrown into a plexiglass divider when the officer braked suddenly.

•Plaintiff was injured when thrown into plexiglass divider after refusing to wear seatbelt during police transport

3w ago•5 min read

•Derek Thomas sued federal prison officials under Bivens for alleged failure to protect him from repeated cellmate attacks at FCC Terre Haute

7th Circuit Reviews Prison Officials' Liability in Cellmate Attack Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals examined whether federal prison officials at the Terre Haute facility can be held liable under Bivens for failing to protect an inmate from repeated cellmate attacks. The court decided the case on January 23, 2026, after arguments heard in May 2025.

•The Seventh Circuit examined whether Thomas's claims fit within established Bivens precedent and could overcome qualified immunity defenses