Mail Fraud, a Barber Who Don’t Cut Hair Straight and the “Lulling Letter” Doctrine
U.S. v. Kenneth Anderson, 809 F.2d 1281 (7th Cir. 1987)
(Ed. Note – Barber Kenneth Anderson used to cut Chicago attorney Michael J. Petro’s hair as a little boy).
During the time of the events resulting in this case, Kenneth Anderson was a barber in Crown Point,...
The Fourth Amendment and the “Third Party Doctrine.”
Someone used the email address gslabs@hotmail.com to contact a Vietnamese website in an attempt to buy sassafras oil—a chemical that can be used to make the illegal drug known as ecstasy. A key step in the investigation was learning that Caira was the person behind the gslabs@hotmail.com address. The DEA made that discovery...
Warrants, Illegal Searches and the “Third Party Doctrine”
Someone used the email address gslabs@hotmail.com to contact a Vietnamese website in an attempt to buy sassafras oil—a chemical that can be used to make the illegal drug known as ecstasy. A key step in the investigation was learning that Caira was the person behind the gslabs@hotmail.com address. The DEA made that discovery...
“Official Acts” Definition- Must Know Rules For Politicians!
White Collar Attorney Michael J. Petro discusses rules public officials must know to avoid corruption charges for “official acts.”
Robert F. McDonnell v. United States, No. 15-474. Supreme Court of the United States. Decided June 27, 2016.
In 2014, the Federal Government indicted former Virginia Governor Robert...
Honest Services Fraud and the Definition of “Official Acts”: Rules Every Public Official Must Know!
White Collar Attorney Michael J. Petro discusses rules public officials must know to avoid corruption charges for “official acts.”
Robert F. McDonnell v. United States, No. 15-474. Supreme Court of the United States. Decided June 27, 2016.
In 2014, the Federal Government indicted former Virginia Governor Robert...
Cross-Examination of Fingerprint Expert on “Brandon Mayfield” Case NOT Allowed
US v. Joel Rivas, No. 13-3526. A fingerprint examiner (“Rottman”) testified at trial that he was certain the partial fingerprint found on a 9 millimeter handgun belonged to Joel Rivas. Rivas’s only argument is that his rights under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment were violated when the district court did not...
Cross Examination of Fingerprint Expert and the Confrontation Clause: Tips and Tricks
US v. Joel Rivas, No. 13-3526. A fingerprint examiner (“Rottman”) testified at trial that he was certain the partial fingerprint found on a 9 millimeter handgun belonged to Joel Rivas. Rivas’s only argument is that his rights under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment were violated when the district court did not...
“Snitches Are a Dying Breed” And Other Aspects of “Outlaw” Criminal Forfeiture
US v. Joshua N. Bowser. Appeal of: Bradley W. Carlson. No. 15-2258. This appeal involves the government’s efforts to seize personal property bearing the insignia of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (the “Outlaws”), and the effort of a representative of the Outlaws to intervene to prevent those forfeitures. The forfeiture actions stemmed from criminal...
“God Forgives, Outlaws Don’t.” Federal Criminal Forfeiture 101
US v. Joshua N. Bowser. Appeal of: Bradley W. Carlson. No. 15-2258. This appeal involves the government’s efforts to seize personal property bearing the insignia of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (the “Outlaws”), and the effort of a representative of the Outlaws to intervene to prevent those forfeitures. The forfeiture actions stemmed from criminal...
Grand Jury Subpoena to Client’s Accountant: Attorney-Client Privilege May Block Production
A grand jury investigating alleged tax fraud by Dr. Basaam Osman subpoenaed numerous documents from two accounting firms hired by his attorneys. Dr. Osman sought to...