UNITED STATES V. BUTLER, NO. 12-5120-cr (2D CIR. NOV. 22, 2013) (POOLER, RAGGI, AND WESLEY) (SUMMARY ORDER), AVAILABLE HERE The Court held that assets in the defendant’s name could be used to satisfy a $5 million fine and $250,000 forfeiture ordered in a securities and wire fraud conviction case and denied claims by the defendant’s wife that she had … Read more

UNITED STATES V. HIGHSMITH, NO. 13-201-cr (2D CIR. NOV. 22, 2013) (SACK, HALL, AND LIVINGSTON) (SUMMARY ORDER), AVAILABLE HERE The Court denied this defendant’s appeal of his 15-year sentence for distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine and a 924(c).  The defendant argued that the district court did not adequately consider certain 3553(a) factors and … Read more

In March 1996, Jacob Zedner walked into several banks and attempted to negotiate bonds issued by “The Ministry of Finance of U.S.A.” from the “Onited States” and with an expiration date of “forevev.” The face value of the bonds was $40 million. Surprisingly, Mr. Zedner was never able to actaully negotiate the bonds. He was, … Read more

United States v. Peterson, No. 03-1454 (2d Cir. Jan. 10, 2005): Summary: Government bloodsuckers may not force a probationary defendant to submit a DNA sample under the old DNA Act where his original conviction was for bank larceny. At the time Peterson was sentenced, the DNA Act required that all persons convicted of a “qualifying … Read more