Verdict . News

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•4 min read

5th Circuit Affirms Denial of Coram Nobis Petition in Wire Fraud Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of Eugene J. Lockhart Jr.'s petition for writ of coram nobis, an extraordinary legal remedy seeking to overturn his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The brief ruling represents the latest development in a case that originated in 2009 in the Northern District of Texas.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed denial of coram nobis petition without detailed explanation

•Lockhart originally pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving wire fraud and bank fraud

•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 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 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

•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

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

Third Circuit Affirms Fraud Convictions of Three DuBose Brothers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the criminal convictions of three brothers—Zumar, Abdush, and Kariem DuBose—for their roles in a fraud scheme targeting the United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, and Citizens Bank. The January 20, 2026 decision rejected multiple appellate arguments from the defendants.

•Three brothers convicted of defrauding USPS, UPS, and Citizens Bank in coordinated scheme

•Third Circuit unanimously affirmed all convictions despite multiple appellate arguments

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Affirms Bank Fraud Conviction Against Emiliya Radford

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction of Emiliya Radford on federal charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, and federal program theft. The court upheld her 66-month prison sentence and $298,042.72 restitution order in a case involving fraud at a Georgia chiropractic office.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed Emiliya Radford's convictions for bank fraud, wire fraud, and federal program theft at a Georgia chiropractic office

•Court upheld 66-month prison sentence and $298,042.72 restitution order despite Radford's challenges to conviction and sentencing enhancements