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Law

Disbarred Attorney Avoids Prison For Defrauding Clients: Ocean County Prosecutor Disbarred Attorney Avoids Prison For Defrauding Clients: Ocean County Prosecutor
Disbarred Attorney Avoids Prison For Defrauding Clients: Ocean County Prosecutor A 54-year-old disbarred attorney from Utah admitting to defrauding clients out of $70,755 in Ocean County, but he likely won't go to prison, authorities announced Monday, April 27. David Schlendorf, of Holladay, Utah pleaded guilty to five counts of theft by deception and one count of unauthorized practice of law, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.  As part of his plea agreement, Schlendorf will be sentenced to probation, Billhimer said. He also will be required to make restitution to his victims, Billhimer said. Last year, client in Toms River hired Schlendorf to re…
Northeast Grad Schools Among Nation's Best Programs In New Rankings Northeast Grad Schools Among Nation's Best Programs In New Rankings
Northeast Grad Schools Among Nation's Best Programs In New Rankings Graduate programs across the Northeast are being recognized among the best in the nation, according to a new report. U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings on Tuesday, April 7. The list evaluates programs in several fields, including business, law, medicine, engineering, education, and nursing. The media outlet said it compared grad programs based on factors like research performance and career outcomes. "We know a graduate degree is a major commitment," said LaMont Jones, managing editor of education at U.S. News. "That is why we are dedica…
Who Is Lindsey Halligan? Trump Taps Mar-a-Lago Lawyer As Virginia’s Top Prosecutor Who Is Lindsey Halligan? Trump Taps Mar-a-Lago Lawyer As Virginia’s Top Prosecutor
Who Is Lindsey Halligan? Trump Taps Mar-a-Lago Lawyer As Virginia’s Top Prosecutor President Donald Trump has nominated a familiar face to become Virginia's top prosecutor after Erik Siebert stepped away on Friday. Trump announced that he is nominating Lindsey Halligan, a senior aide in the White House, to serve as the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia as he continues to target political adversaries. "It is my honor to appoint Lindsey Halligan, who has been serving as Special Assistant to the President at the White House, as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia," he posted on Truth Social late on Saturday, Sept. 20.  The preside…
Zoom Snub Backfires: Tenant Gets Second Shot In $3.4K Bergen County Security Deposit Lawsuit Zoom Snub Backfires: Tenant Gets Second Shot In $3.4K Bergen County Security Deposit Lawsuit
Zoom Snub Backfires: Tenant Gets Second Shot In $3.4K Bergen County Security Deposit Lawsuit A New Jersey woman suing her former landlord over a $3,450 security deposit is getting a new trial after a Bergen County judge wrongly dismissed her case for not showing up in person, according to an appellate decision issued Wednesday, July 23. The court said the judge should have at least considered letting her appear over Zoom. Vanessa Brotherns, who now lives in California, filed the lawsuit against Magdi Mosaid in 2021, claiming he failed to return her deposit plus interest after she moved out. According to court documents, the case was initially marked “settled prior to trial” in Nov…
Medical Debt Returning To Americans' Credit Reports After Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule Medical Debt Returning To Americans' Credit Reports After Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule
Medical Debt Returning To Americans' Credit Reports After Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule A federal judge in Texas has overturned a Biden-era rule that removed medical debt from Americans' credit reports. Judge Sean Jordan scrapped the regulation in a ruling on Friday, July 11. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized the rule on Tuesday, Jan. 7, about two weeks before former President Joe Biden left office. The decision came exactly a week after President Donald Trump signed the previously named "One Big Beautiful Bill" into law. Experts warn that the Republican-backed budget reconciliation legislation makes sweeping cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, while incr…
Dauphin County Judge Michael J. Smith Dies On Fourth Of July Bike Ride In Lebanon County: DA Dauphin County Judge Michael J. Smith Dies On Fourth Of July Bike Ride In Lebanon County: DA
Dauphin County Judge Michael J. Smith Dies On Fourth Of July Bike Ride In Lebanon County: DA A longtime Dauphin County judge died suddenly while on a bike ride in Lebanon County on Friday, July 4, officials confirmed on Saturday, July 5. Judge Michael J. Smith, 72, collapsed while biking in Lebanon County and was later pronounced dead at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Dauphin County, according to Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo. The incident was not the result of a crash. “I have known him for 31 years,” Chardo told Daily Voice. “As a long time magisterial district judge, he always treated everyone with fairness. He consistently showed a clear commitment to fairn…
Adult Websites Would Require Age Verification Under Proposed NY Law Adult Websites Would Require Age Verification Under Proposed NY Law
Adult Websites Would Require Age Verification Under Proposed NY Law New Yorkers trying to access adult websites may soon need to prove they’re 18 or older, under a proposed state law designed to shield minors from sexually explicit content. The bill, introduced by Republican State Sen. Jake Ashby, would require any pornographic website operating in New York to verify a user’s age before granting access. Verification would be done using tools like government-issued IDs, credit card payments, or other commercially accepted systems that confirm age through public records. The legislation targets “sexual material harmful to minors” and defines that broadly—ra…
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter Dies Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter Dies
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter Dies David Souter, a Republican-appointed Supreme Court justice who became known for siding with its liberal wing in nearly two decades as a justice, has died. He was age 85. The court announced he died "peacefully" on Thursday, May 8, at his home in Concord, New Hampshire. No cause of death was given. The Harvard University graduate and Melrose, Massachusetts native joined the high court in 1990 after being nominated by former President George H.W. Bush. Souter served on the Supreme Court until 2009, when he retired at age 69. He had served as New Hampshire's attorney general and was a …
Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: Past Mount Vernon Resident Sean Combs Faces New Charges, Report Says Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: Past Mount Vernon Resident Sean Combs Faces New Charges, Report Says
Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: Past Mount Vernon Resident Sean Combs Faces New Charges, Report Says Embattled New York native and hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges against him as he and his legal team rapidly approach his trial for sex trafficking, racketeering, and more.  Combs, 55, pleaded not guilty to an expanded indictment against him during a hearing on Monday, April 14, according to a report by People.  The disgraced music icon faces one more count each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, which are both connected to a plaintiff only named as "Victim-2" in the indictment, the outlet reported.  C…
Attorney Heather Schlemm Of Little Ferry Dies After Valiant Cancer Battle, 36 Attorney Heather Schlemm Of Little Ferry Dies After Valiant Cancer Battle, 36
Attorney Heather Schlemm Of Little Ferry Dies After Valiant Cancer Battle, 36 The Little Ferry community is mourning the loss of Heather Schlemm, a 36-year-old attorney remembered for her strength, kindness, and love of life. Heather died Friday, March 28, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, according to her obituary on the Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home website. A graduate of law and an attorney with Peter N. Davis & Associates in Lodi, Heather "fought tirelessly for justice, using her sharp mind and compassionate heart to make the world a fairer place," her obituary reads. "Heather was not content to merely exist-she lived. She wandered the world…
Former US Attorney Jessica Aber Found Dead In Alexandria Home: Police (DEVELOPING) Former US Attorney Jessica Aber Found Dead In Alexandria Home: Police (DEVELOPING)
Former US Attorney Jessica Aber Found Dead In Alexandria Home: Police (Developing) A former top federal prosecutor in Virginia has died suddenly, police in Alexandria confirmed Saturday. Jessica D. Aber, the former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found unresponsive around 9:18 a.m. Saturday, March 22, inside a home on the 900 block of Beverley Drive, according to the Alexandria Police Department. She was 43 years old. Officers were called to the residence for a wellness check and found Aber deceased, as detailed in a release. An investigation is ongoing, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of …
Diddy's Attorney Steps Down: Can't 'Effectively Serve' Past Mount Vernon Resident, Reports Say Diddy's Attorney Steps Down: Can't 'Effectively Serve' Past Mount Vernon Resident, Reports Say
Diddy's Attorney Steps Down: Can't 'Effectively Serve' Past Mount Vernon Resident, Reports Say A member of the legal team for embattled New York native and hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has stepped down from the case, according to reports.  In a request submitted to the Southern District of New York on Friday, Feb. 21, attorney Anthony Ricco filed a motion to leave Diddy's case, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.  In his filing, Ricco reportedly gave a short statement with a vague explanation, as reported by Deadline: "Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I con…
Hochul Won't Extradite New Paltz Doctor Charged With Prescribing Abortion Pill Hochul Won't Extradite New Paltz Doctor Charged With Prescribing Abortion Pill
Hochul Won't Extradite New Paltz Doctor Charged With Prescribing Abortion Pill New York will not extradite a Hudson Valley doctor who was criminally charged with violating Louisiana’s abortion laws, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. It comes after a jury indicted Ulster County-based Dr. Margaret Carpenter, of New Paltz, along with her company, Nightingale Medical, and the mother of a minor girl on Friday, Jan. 31, alleging that Carpenter shipped the girl an abortion pill. The pill, Mifeprestone, caused the girl to have a medical emergency which terminated the pregnancy, Baton Rouge CBS affiliate WAFB reports. All three were charged with criminal abortion by means of abortion-in…
Disbarred Hazlet Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor Disbarred Hazlet Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor
Disbarred Hazlet Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor A 49-year-old disbarred Hazlet lawyer was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 17, after he admitted to stealing nearly $1.18 million from more than 60 clients. Steven Salami is also ordered to pay the full amount of stolen funds, back to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, which had previously reimbursed his clients, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. From April to August 2019, while working as an attorney, Salami took $300,000 from four victims as part of real estate transactions, Santiago said. Salami put the money in escrow, but f…
NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement
NY Baby Formula Suppliers Accused Of Price Gouging Agree To $675K Settlement Thousands of cans of baby formula are being distributed to families in need across New York after a settlement was reached with two companies accused of illegal price gouging. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday, Dec. 18, that her office had secured $675,000 worth of baby formula from Marine Park Distribution Inc. and its affiliate, Formula Depot Inc., following an investigation into price gouging during the nationwide formula shortage in 2022. The companies allegedly raised formula prices by more than 60 percent in some cases, with costs doubling for certain product…
Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor
Trump Names Ex-sec Chief To Replace Damian Williams As Sdny's Top Prosecutor President-elect Donald Trump is looking to replace Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, with a familiar face from his previous administration who hails from Pennsylvania.  Trump announced on Thursday, Nov. 14 that he would nominate Jay Clayton, who has no experience as a criminal prosecutor, to be the next US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Clayton, age 58, previously served as Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission from May 2017 to December 2020, a role in which Trump wrote he "did an incredible job." Before that, he…
Winner Declared In Westchester District Attorney Race Winner Declared In Westchester District Attorney Race
Winner Declared In Westchester District Attorney Race The votes have all been counted, and Westchester residents have selected who will serve as the county's next District Attorney. Former County Court Judge Susan Cacace, a Democrat, emerged as the winner in the DA race, defeating her opponent, Republican John Sarcone, by a margin of 64 to 36 percent of votes, according to the county's Board of Elections.  Cacace, who resigned as County Court Judge in December 2023 after nearly 20 years in the position, gave a statement on social media following her victory: "I am deeply humbled to have earned the support of the people of Westchester Cou…
BREAKING: York County DA Dave Sunday Elected PA AG BREAKING: York County DA Dave Sunday Elected PA AG
Breaking: York County DA Dave Sunday Elected PA AG The current York County District Attorney Dave Sunday is the projected winner of the race for Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, according to unofficial results by the Pennsylvania State Department. Republican Sunday flipped the role by defeating his Democratic opponent Eugene DePasquale with a margin of 51.2% to 49.5% with 94% of votes counted, numerous outlets reported.  The current AG, Michelle Henry was not running after being appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro to fill his shoes when he was elected Governor and vacated the AG role in 2022.  "Dave received his undergraduate degr…
Election 2024: Winner Projected For PA's 1st US Congressional District Election 2024: Winner Projected For PA's 1st US Congressional District
Election 2024: Winner Projected For PA's 1st US Congressional District Election Day 2024 is in the books, and Pennsylvanians have chosen their next representatives in Congress, according to multiple outlets' projections based on unofficial results. In the commonwealth’s 1st congressional district race, Brian Fitzpatrick defeated Ashley Ehasz for the House seat representing Bucks and Mongomery counties, the AP projects. The incumbent was leading his democratic party opponent by a margin of 57.5% to 42.3%, with 88% of the vote as of 1 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, according to the PA Department of State.  The 50-year-old Fitzpatrick has represented th…
Election 2024: Winner Projected In Suffolk County's 1st Congressional District Race Election 2024: Winner Projected In Suffolk County's 1st Congressional District Race
Election 2024: Winner Projected In Suffolk County's 1st Congressional District Race Election Day 2024 is in the books, and Long Islanders have chosen their next representatives in Congress. In New York’s 1st congressional district race, incumbent Republican Rep. Nick LaLota defeated Democratic challenger John Avlon, according to the New York State Board of Elections. The district represents the eastern two-thirds of Suffolk County, according to the New York State Board of Elections. LaLota was leading Avlon by a margin of 56 to 44 percent, with 86 percent of the vote in as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. 📣 I’m deeply honored that Long Islanders have entrusted me to s…
Maryland AG Orders DC Organization To Stop Threatening To Expose Registered Voters Maryland AG Orders DC Organization To Stop Threatening To Expose Registered Voters
Maryland AG Orders DC Organization To Stop Threatening To Expose Registered Voters A voting information center in DC is under fire by the Attorney General's Office after allegedly targeting Maryland voters and purportedly threatening to expose whether or not they headed to the polls to neighbors. The AG issued a cease and desist letter on Thursday to the Center for Voter Information/Voter Participation Center (CVI/VPC) ordering the organization to stop sending letters to voters that threaten to publicly expose those registered voters who do not vote.  In the letter, the organization was ordered to "refrain from sending threatening communications in the futu…
Food Hall Gets Liquor License In Mount Kisco Thanks To Amended Legislation Food Hall Gets Liquor License In Mount Kisco Thanks To Amended Legislation
Food Hall Gets Liquor License In Mount Kisco Thanks To Amended Legislation Thanks to the efforts of lawmakers, a Northern Westchester eatery that had been unable to get a liquor license for years because of its proximity to a church can finally serve drinks.  Since opening in February 2016, Mount Kisco's Exit 4 Food Hall, located at 153 East Main St., had been trying to secure a state liquor license. However, co-owner Isi Albanese was unable to do so for years because the eatery was located within 200 feet of a local church.  This posed a problem, as New York state law prohibited issuing liquor licenses to establishments within 200 feet of a house o…
'Dream Come True': Edison Native Sworn In As Judge Is One Of NJ's Youngest 'Dream Come True': Edison Native Sworn In As Judge Is One Of NJ's Youngest
'Dream Come True': Edison Native Sworn In As Judge Is One Of NJ's Youngest An Edison woman has reached her lifelong dream of being appointed a judge and she's one of the youngest in New Jersey's history. Malia Reichmann was sworn in as an Edison municipal court judge on Monday, Sept. 30, the township said in a news release. The 32-year-old is a lawyer who graduated from Columbia Law School. Reichmann said it's a "dream come true" to be a judge in her hometown. "Thank you to Mayor Sam Joshi and the Edison Township Council for entrusting me with upholding laws that make our community safe, beautiful, and a welcoming place for everyone," said Reichman…
Teen Charged, Minor Skates After Being Accused Of Making Threats Targeting Harford Schools Teen Charged, Minor Skates After Being Accused Of Making Threats Targeting Harford Schools
Teen Charged, Minor Skates After Being Accused Of Making Threats Targeting Harford Schools Another Harford County teen is facing charges of making threats of mass violence - though another minor will avoid prosecution due to his age - after being overheard on Monday, officials say. On Monday, a student reported to the School Resource Officer assigned to Aberdeen Middle School that they overheard two classmates talking about placing a bomb in a toilet in the school bathroom. The investigation into the allegation found that two students - ages 12 and 14 - were identified as the culprits, and they were tracked down on school grounds and searched. "While, it is important to note, no…
Ex-Stony Brook Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time Ex-Stony Brook Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time
Ex-Stony Brook Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time A former New York attorney is heading to prison after confessing that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his clients. Former Long Island resident Douglas Valente, age 57, now of Florida, was sentenced to between one and four years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Aug. 22. Prosecutors said Valente, the former principal attorney at the Valente Law Group in Stony Brook, stole more than $800,000 from three former clients by taking money from his escrow account. Earlier Report: Former NY Attorney Stole Nearly $1M From Clients, DA Says Among the victims was a cl…
Former County Court Judge Susan Cacace Wins Democratic Primary For Westchester DA Former County Court Judge Susan Cacace Wins Democratic Primary For Westchester DA
Former County Court Judge Susan Cacace Wins Democratic Primary For Westchester DA Former County Court Judge Susan Cacace emerged victorious in the Democratic primary race for Westchester District Attorney.  Cacace, who resigned as County Court Judge in December 2023 after nearly 20 years in the position, earned 59 percent of the votes during the Democratic primary election held on Tuesday, June 25, according to a New York Times report.  Cacace defeated her opponent, attorney and Mount Vernon native William O. Wagstaff III, who earned 31 percent of the votes, the New York Times reported.  In addition to her experience in the County Court,&nb…
'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature 'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature
'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature New Yorkers with felony convictions could soon serve on court juries after state lawmakers passed legislation reversing the lifetime ban on such service. The New York State Assembly on Friday, June 7, passed the “Jury of Our Peers Act,” which would allow those convicted of felonies to serve on New York juries once they are released from prison or have otherwise satisfied all of their sentencing requirements. Advocates say the move will help rectify an underrepresentation of minorities on juries. “Black New Yorkers have been systematically denied the right to serve on juries as they are dis…
Man Who Killed Dad, Popular Loudoun County Brewer, Photographed His Body Sentenced To Prison Man Who Killed Dad, Popular Loudoun County Brewer, Photographed His Body Sentenced To Prison
Man Who Killed Dad, Popular Loudoun County Brewer, Photographed His Body Sentenced To Prison A 23-year-old Loudoun County man has been sentenced to prison for the grisly 2022 murder of his father. Schuyler Lake, of Leesburg, was sentenced by Judge James P. Fisher to 40 years in prison with 22 years and 11 months suspended for the killing of his father, Dean Lake, 57, according to the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney. The suspended sentence is conditioned upon the satisfactory completion of forty years of good behavior, compliance with Lake’s mental health treatment, and five years of supervised probation upon his release from incarceration. Schuyler Lake was charged wit…
Well-Respected Judge, Westchester Native Dies Well-Respected Judge, Westchester Native Dies
Well-Respected Judge, Westchester Native Dies A popular and well-respected Hudson Valley judge has died. Dutchess County Judge Gerald V. Hayes of Poughkeepsie, age 82,  had been battling lymphocytic leukemia for three years. Hayes, who died on Saturday, Jan. 27, was a man of deep faith, hard work, great sacrifice, profound wisdom, remarkable accomplishments, and the highest character, his obituary said. Hayes originally studied to become a priest but changed his mind and received his juris doctorate from Fordham Law School in 1968. Shortly after he went to work as Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.  In 1971, his obit…
Could Baltimore's Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?' Could Baltimore's Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
Could Baltimore's Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?' Could Maggie Sajak replace Vanna White on "Wheel Of Fortune?" White herself certainly thinks so, she told E! News. She's filled in before, anyway. We’re keeping it in the family – meet our special guest letter-turner, Maggie Sajak! @patsajak #Family #FamilyTime #WheelOfFortune pic.twitter.com/QJCEqzuXtz — Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) January 7, 2020 Maggie, 28, grew up in Severna Park, MD, and earned her undergrad degree from Princeton University, before completing law school at Columbia University. She currently handles social correspondence for "Wheel Of Fortune," and as her d…
NJ Attorney Awaits Sentence For Pocketing $2M From Client's Offshore Account, More NJ Attorney Awaits Sentence For Pocketing $2M From Client's Offshore Account, More
NJ Attorney Awaits Sentence For Pocketing $2M From Client's Offshore Account, More UPDATE: A once-prominent attorney from Jersey City is awaiting sentencing after admitting in federal court that he swindled a family he represented out of $2 million and then committed another crime while on pretrial release. The family had retained James R. Lisa, 68, to gather millions that had been moved into offshore bank accounts by relatives decades ago and to resolve any tax issues that arose as a result, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Soon after being retained, he moved more than $6 million back into the United States but told the family the funds still remained offshore, th…