Supreme Court: Reasonable Time Limit Applies to Void Judgment Motions

The Supreme Court ruled that the "reasonable time" limit under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(c)(1) applies to motions seeking to vacate void judgments under Rule 60(b)(4). This decision clarifies the procedural requirements for challenging judgments based on alleged defects in service.

Alicea v. Cincinnati Incorporated - Court Opinion

The First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's summary judgment in favor of Cincinnati Incorporated in a product liability case. The court found a material factual dispute regarding the design defect claim for a laser-cutting system that caused a fatal accident. The ruling allows the estate's design-related claims to proceed.

Supreme Court Rules on Mandatory Victims Restitution Act

The Supreme Court ruled that restitution under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act (MVRA) constitutes criminal punishment for Ex Post Facto Clause purposes. The Court reversed the Eighth Circuit's decision, holding that the MVRA's restitution provisions are criminal sanctions, not civil remedies.

Supreme Court Rules on Habeas Corpus for Attempted Murder Conviction

The Supreme Court granted summary relief in Klein v. Martin, reversing the Fourth Circuit's decision to award a new trial. The Court found the Fourth Circuit departed from the strict standards governing federal habeas relief under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA).

Supreme Court January 2026 Order List

The U.S. Supreme Court issued its January 20, 2026 order list, including grants, denials, and miscellaneous orders. Notably, the Court granted certiorari in Tennessee v. Kennedy, vacating the judgment and remanding with instructions to dismiss the case as moot.

Supreme Court Order List - Certiorari Grants and Denials

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued its order list for January 26, 2026, detailing grants and denials of certiorari, as well as miscellaneous orders in pending cases. This list includes vacating and remanding one case for further consideration and denying a motion for leave to file a petition for a writ of certiorari with an indigency declaration under seal.

Cusick v. DOJ - Affirmation of District Court Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision dismissing a lawsuit challenging federal firearm prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and § 922(g)(4). The court found the challenge to § 922(g)(1) foreclosed by precedent, and other claims were dismissed based on the initial ruling.

Supreme Court Denies Certiorari

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Charles Thompson v. Texas. The Court also denied an application for a stay of execution of a death sentence. This action signifies the conclusion of the Supreme Court's review of this specific case.

Pendarvis v. Wilson - Constitutional Rights Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded the case of Pendarvis v. Wilson. The court found that the plaintiff's operative complaint failed to adequately plead Article III standing, impacting a hemp farmer's lawsuit against over 30 South Carolina government officials.

Supreme Court - Application for Writ of Injunction Denied

The Supreme Court denied an application for a writ of injunction pending appeal in the case of Tangipa, David, et al. v. Newsom, Gov. of CA, et al. The order was issued by the Court on February 4, 2026.

Heath v. Florida - Certiorari Denied

The U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for a writ of certiorari in Heath v. Florida. Justice Thomas referred the application for a stay of execution of sentence of death to the Court, which was also denied. This action concludes the federal review of the case.

Medicaid Fraud Charges Filed Against Two Individuals

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado and the Colorado Attorney General's Office have filed charges against Ashley Marie Stevens and Wesam Yassin for defrauding Colorado Medicaid's non-emergent medical transportation program. The alleged fraud totals over $4.3 million, with charges including wire fraud, health care fraud, and money laundering.

FTC v. Kids Project - Petition to Quash Civil Investigative Demand

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a petition to quash a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) in the matter of Kids Project (Matter Number P264800). This action relates to an ongoing FTC investigation concerning consumer protection practices.

FTC v. World Professional Association for Transgender Health - Civil Investigative Demand

The FTC has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). WPATH has filed a petition to quash this demand, asserting it is overly broad and unduly burdensome. The FTC is seeking information related to WPATH's standards of care and data collection practices.

FTC and States Sue Cancer Recovery Foundation for Donor Deception

The FTC and 10 states have filed a lawsuit against the Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as Women's Cancer Fund, and its operator for allegedly deceiving donors. The charity is accused of collecting over $18 million from 2017 to 2022, with only a small fraction going to support cancer patients and the majority used for fundraisers and the operator.

FTC and States Stop Kars-R-Us.com Deceptive Fundraising Scheme

The FTC and 19 states have stopped Kars-R-Us.com, Inc. and its operators from continuing a deceptive charity fundraising scheme. The operators made false claims to donors, and under a proposed settlement, face restrictions on future fundraising, with one operator permanently banned.

FTC v. XCL Resources Holdings, LLC - Antitrust Enforcement

The FTC has filed a gun jumping case against XCL Resources Holdings, LLC, Verdun Oil Company II LLC, and EP Energy, LLC. The companies will pay a record $5.6 million civil penalty to settle allegations of illegal pre-merger coordination in violation of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

SEC and CFTC Joint Event on Crypto Harmonization

The SEC and CFTC will hold a joint event on January 27, 2026, to discuss harmonization efforts and U.S. financial leadership in the crypto era. The event aims to address regulatory clarity for market participants and foster innovation in the cryptocurrency space.

SEC Appoints New Chairman and Board Members to PCAOB

The SEC announced the appointment of Demetrios Logothetis as Chairman and three new members to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). These appointments are intended to usher in a new era of sensible and efficient oversight of auditors, focusing on the PCAOB's core mission of investor protection.

SEC Publishes Data on ETFs, Fund Mergers, and Advisors

The SEC's Division of Economic and Risk Analysis has published new reports on active ETFs and fund mergers, along with updated statistics for municipal advisors, transfer agents, and security-based swap dealers. These publications provide data and analysis on market trends and investor fee impacts.

SEC v. Ryan Squillante - Insider Trading Enforcement

The SEC announced a final consent judgment against Ryan Squillante for insider trading. Squillante was ordered to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling $250,765, which was satisfied by a criminal fine in a parallel case. The SEC alleges he used confidential information to trade in at least ten securities.

SEC Obtains Judgments Against Shvartsman Brothers for Insider Trading

The SEC announced it obtained final consent judgments against Gerald and Michael Shvartsman for insider trading in DWAC securities, resulting in disgorgement of over $22 million. The action also involved parallel criminal proceedings, and the SEC voluntarily dismissed its claims against Rocket One Capital LLC.

SEC Charges Marat Likhtenstein with $4 Million Offering Fraud

The SEC has charged Marat Likhtenstein with an offering fraud scheme that raised over $4.1 million. Likhtenstein allegedly misappropriated investor funds for personal expenses and Ponzi-like payments. He consented to injunctive relief, with monetary relief to be determined.

SEC Charges CBA Pharma and Two Executives with Fraud

The SEC has charged CBA Pharma, Inc. and two executives with defrauding investors in a securities offering that raised approximately $4.1 million. The company allegedly misrepresented the effectiveness and FDA approval status of its cancer drug, CBT-1.

SEC v. Barrington Asset Management - Enforcement Action Dismissal and Settlement

The SEC has dismissed its civil enforcement action against Barrington Asset Management, Inc. and Gregory D. Paris. Simultaneously, the SEC instituted a settled administrative proceeding against the same parties. The dismissal and settlement occurred on February 10, 2026.

SEC Technical Amendments to Commission Forms

The SEC has issued a final rule making technical amendments to its commission forms. These amendments are administrative in nature and do not alter existing disclosure requirements or regulatory obligations for public companies, broker-dealers, or fund managers.

SEC Technical Amendments to Commission Rules and Forms

The SEC has issued a final rule making technical amendments to its existing rules and forms. This action is part of routine administrative updates to ensure clarity and accuracy in regulatory filings and procedures.

SEC Delegation of Authority to Director of Investment Management

The SEC has issued a final rule amending its delegation of authority to the Director of the Division of Investment Management. This rule clarifies and updates the specific functions and responsibilities that can be delegated to the Director. The changes are effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

SEC Technical Amendment to Delegation of Authority Rules

The SEC has adopted a technical amendment to its delegation of authority rules. This amendment corrects an outdated cross-reference in the rules that delegate authority to the Commission's staff to grant certain exemptions from Rule 612 of Regulation NMS.

SEC Proposes Amending Small Business Definitions for Investment Companies and Advisers

The SEC has proposed amendments to the definitions of 'small business' and 'small organization' for investment companies and advisers under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The proposal aims to increase asset-based thresholds and establish a mechanism for future inflation adjustments. Public comments are due by March 13, 2026.

People v. Zapata - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, has made available its opinion in the criminal appeal case People v. Zapata, docket number D084024. This update pertains to a specific judicial proceeding and its published outcome.

Zenith Insurance Co. v. WCAB - Workers' Compensation Appeal

This document is a court case filing from the California Court of Appeal, Sixth District, involving Zenith Insurance Co. and the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). The case number is H052785. It represents a new legal proceeding within the state's workers' compensation system.

People v. J.C. - Case Opinion

The California Courts of Appeal have made available an opinion in the case of People v. J.C. This document represents a judicial decision and does not introduce new regulatory requirements for businesses.

B338698 - Appellate Court Case Search Result

This document provides search results for appellate court case number B338698. It is a notification of case status within the court system. No new regulatory requirements or enforcement actions are detailed.

Businessman waives $8.4M debt discharge after DOJ investigation

Businessman waives $8.4M debt discharge after DOJ investigation

Man sentenced to 48 months for acting as PRC covert agent

Man sentenced to 48 months for acting as PRC covert agent

Two men plead guilty to $3.5M Minneapolis Medicaid fraud

Two men plead guilty to $3.5M Minneapolis Medicaid fraud

Justice Department enforces order to divest Chinese company from U.S

Justice Department enforces order to divest Chinese company from U.S

Civil Rights Division secures $68M settlement in predatory land sales lawsuit

Civil Rights Division secures $68M settlement in predatory land sales lawsuit

Justice Department sues Miami Gardens tax preparer Christopher Brown and Superior Taxes LLC

Justice Department sues Miami Gardens tax preparer Christopher Brown and Superior Taxes LLC

Ten defendants sentenced over 108 years for Columbus drug trafficking

Ten defendants sentenced over 108 years for Columbus drug trafficking

FINRA Proposed Rule Change to Amend Communications with the Public Rule

FINRA has filed a proposed rule change with the SEC to amend FINRA Rule 2210 concerning communications with the public. The amendment would permit members to project performance or provide targeted returns on investments, subject to specific conditions ensuring a sound basis for such projections.

State AGs Warn Corporations on Antitrust and Consumer Protection

A coalition of 10 State Attorneys General, led by Florida AG Uthmeier, has issued notices to nearly 80 corporations involved with the U.S. Plastics Pact, Consumer Goods Forum, or Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The AGs warn that these companies' participation in initiatives setting production and packaging targets may violate antitrust and consumer protection laws.

State AG Secures 120-Year Sentence for Human Trafficker

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 120-year prison sentence for Marquett James, who was convicted of human trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy. This action follows a federal refusal to prosecute the case.

CT Dept of Banking - Administrative Order for Banta, Meera, First Bank Mortgage

The Connecticut Department of Banking has added a new administrative order and settlement for Banta, Meera, and First Bank Mortgage, Inc. d/b/a Money Tree. The order, dated January 30, details the terms of the settlement.

Texas AG Investigates "Sharia City" Development

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into a proposed development in Kaufman County, referred to as a "sharia city." The investigation targets SEE Holding and Kaufman Solar LLC, with the AG issuing Requests to Examine to gather information on the development's legality and compliance with Texas laws.

Paxton Secures $68M Settlement Against Colony Ridge Developers

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in conjunction with the DOJ, secured a $68 million settlement against Colony Ridge developers. The agreement halts new residential lot platting for 36 months, prohibits sales to individuals from certain countries, and mandates new underwriting and identification standards.

Texas AG Rescinds Opinion on SSNs for Occupational Licenses

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has withdrawn a 2001 legal opinion that allowed occupational license applicants to not submit a Social Security Number. A new opinion requires SSNs for all applicants, aiming to prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining licenses and protect jobs for authorized workers.

NY AG Recovers $4.7M from Tax Evasion Scheme by Truck Rental Companies

New York Attorney General Letitia James recovered over $4.7 million from two NYC truck rental companies, Able Rentals and Abarn Equipment Corp., and their accountant, Howard Zapken, for a decade-long tax evasion scheme. The companies underreported sales, pocketing over $1.3 million in collected sales tax.

RAM Payment LLC Consent Order filed 5th Feb

RAM Payment LLC Consent Order filed 5th Feb