JPMorgan claims Charlie Javice's legal bills, totaling $74 million, include excessive charges for attendance and unnecessary expenses during her fraud trial, and is seeking to recover disputed costs and end future payments, amid allegations of abuse and billing misconduct by her law firms.
Two MIT-educated brothers are on trial for allegedly executing a $25 million cryptocurrency heist in just 12 seconds by exploiting vulnerabilities in the Ethereum blockchain, with their defense claiming no fraud occurred and that they merely outsmarted trading bots. Prosecutors argue they planned and executed a sophisticated scheme involving bait transactions, tampering with private transaction data, and hiding their identities through shell companies. The case raises questions about the legality of exploiting blockchain vulnerabilities and the regulation of crypto trading, with potential sentences of up to 20 years if convicted.
Steve Bannon's trial on state charges of defrauding donors to a border wall charity has been postponed to February 25, allowing his legal team more time to prepare for new evidence. The trial, prosecuted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, follows Bannon's pardon by Donald Trump for similar federal charges. Bannon, who recently completed a four-month prison sentence for contempt of Congress, continues to support Trump and mobilize MAGA voters.
Steve Bannon's state trial on fraud charges related to the "We Build the Wall" campaign has been postponed to February 25 by a New York judge. Bannon, who was charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in 2022, pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering and fraud. The trial was initially set for December 9, but has been delayed, with prosecutors requesting anonymity for jurors. Bannon's associates were previously sentenced in a related federal case, though Bannon was pardoned by Trump in 2021.
Steve Bannon's criminal trial for allegedly defrauding donors in a border wall fundraising scheme has been postponed to February 25 by a New York judge. Bannon, a former White House adviser, faces charges including money laundering and conspiracy, with prosecutors alleging he misused funds intended for the wall. Bannon, who was previously pardoned by Trump for related federal charges, claims political targeting by the Manhattan District Attorney. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
British tech tycoon Mike Lynch has been cleared of fraud charges in the US related to the $11bn sale of his software firm, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard in 2011. A San Francisco jury found him not guilty on all counts, a significant victory for Lynch, who faced over 20 years in prison if convicted. Lynch, who co-founded Autonomy in 1996, had denied inflating the company's value and distanced himself from other executives involved in fraudulent activities. The verdict ends a 13-year legal battle, with Lynch expressing relief and gratitude.
Mike Lynch, founder of Autonomy, and Stephen Chamberlain, former VP of finance, were acquitted of all charges in a US fraud trial related to the 2011 sale of Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard. The federal court jury in San Francisco cleared Lynch of 15 charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy. Lynch, who was extradited from the UK, maintained his innocence, arguing he was being scapegoated for HP's failed acquisition. HP had paid $11 billion for Autonomy but wrote down $8.8 billion within a year, leading to years of legal battles.
A juror in a multimillion-dollar fraud trial was offered $120,000 and a promise of more money to vote for acquittal, leading to an FBI investigation. The trial involves 70 defendants accused of a $250 million pandemic fraud scheme, with 18 already pleading guilty. The bribery attempt has led to heightened security measures, including the sequestration of the jury and the detention of the seven defendants currently on trial.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will avoid a fraud trial in a nine-year-old securities fraud case by agreeing to complete community service, legal ethics courses, and pay nearly $300,000 in restitution. The charges will be dropped as part of a pretrial agreement, and Paxton, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, will not be required to enter a plea. He has faced multiple issues while in office, including an ongoing federal investigation, but maintains that he did nothing wrong.
A New York appeals court has granted Donald Trump a 10-day extension to secure a portion of the $464m bond he has been ordered to post in the civil fraud case. This decision comes after the former president signaled he was struggling to come up with the money. The ruling is a win for Mr Trump, as he now has more time to secure just $175m while awaiting a ruling in his appeal. The original judgement imposed a $454m penalty on Mr Trump and his co-defendants for conspiring to inflate his net worth, but the appeals court's decision reduces the bond amount, making it easier for Mr Trump to post it.
Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos, who was ejected from the House and is facing a fraud trial, announced his bid for office again at President Biden's State of the Union speech. He plans to challenge freshman Republican Rep. Nick LaLota in the GOP primary, sparking a heated exchange between the two. Santos' return to politics poses a challenge for New York Republicans as they defend key House seats, and his presence serves as a reminder of his controversial past, including fabricating his personal and professional history.
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury for lying at Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, where he was found to be "intentionally evasive" in describing how Trump exaggerated property values. Weisselberg will be sentenced to five months in jail and the conviction could serve as a warning to other witnesses in the ongoing criminal trial against Trump. This comes after Weisselberg had already served time for tax fraud and falsification of business records.
Following a fraud trial judgment, Donald Trump's debt to New York state has increased by $111,984 in interest per day, reaching a total of $455 million. His interest will continue to accrue, adding $1 million every nine days, as he pursues an appeal. Trump's co-defendants, including his sons and former Trump Organization CEO, also face rising interest on their penalties. The judgment has been criticized by Trump's defense team, while the attorney general's office sees it as a significant victory for New York's marketplace and the rule of law.
Donald Trump loses appeal to halt $464 million fraud trial judgement and $112,000 per day interest, with a deadline to pay by March 25; New York Attorney General may seize Trump's assets if he fails to pay, as he admits to potentially having to sell real estate properties to cover the debt; Trump also faces a separate $83.3 million judgement for attacking E. Jean Carroll and has yet to pay the $5 million defamation award; his legal troubles may be impacting his political support, as evidenced by smaller rally crowds and a lackluster fundraising campaign to help pay off the judgement.
Donald Trump's attorneys are appealing a $454 million judgment against him in a New York civil fraud trial, while Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg seeks a gag order to limit Trump's "inflammatory" statements ahead of a hush money criminal trial. Trump is also demanding action from Alabama lawmakers to protect in vitro fertilization, while facing ongoing tensions with Florida governor Ron DeSantis. Additionally, the Republican National Committee is poised for new leadership as Ronna McDaniel steps down, and threats have been directed at the Manhattan DA's office following Trump's public attacks.