Second Circuit Grills Both Sides Over Combs Acquitted-Conduct SentenceMay 16, 2026Law and PolicyThe Second Circuit heard oral arguments in Sean Combs' appeal of his 50-month Mann Act sentence, focusing on whether acquitted conduct was improperly used.
Brooklyn Tax Preparer Sentenced to 36 Months for $600 Million COVID Credit FraudMay 14, 2026Law and PolicyA Brooklyn tax preparer received a 36-month federal prison sentence for filing over 8,000 fraudulent returns seeking $600 million in COVID tax credits.
Former NFL Player French Sentenced to 16-Plus Years for $197M Medicare FraudMay 11, 2026Law and PolicyJoel Rufus French, a former NFL tight end, received a 196-month federal prison sentence for a $197 million Medicare and CHAMPVA fraud scheme involving sham telemedicine and DME kickbacks.
Sinaloa Cartel Member Sentenced to 28 Years in North Carolina Fentanyl CaseMay 8, 2026Law and PolicyA federal judge sentenced a Sinaloa Cartel member to 28 years for fentanyl and money laundering conspiracy in North Carolina's Middle District on May 1, 2026.
Latvian Ransomware Negotiator Sentenced to 102 Months for Conti-Linked ExtortionMay 5, 2026Law and PolicyA federal court sentenced Latvian national Deniss Zolotarjovs to 102 months for ransomware extortion tied to Conti, Karakurt, and Akira, causing $56 million in losses.
Purdue Pharma Sentenced to $5.5 Billion, Clearing Path for Opioid SettlementMay 3, 2026Law and PolicyJudge Arleo sentenced Purdue Pharma to $5.5 billion in fines and forfeiture on April 28, 2026, clearing the way for a $7.4 billion opioid bankruptcy settlement.
Last Member of Colombian Robbery Crew Sentenced to 57 Months in MiamiMay 3, 2026Law and PolicyLeroy Ortega, the last of 11 defendants in Operation Boujee Bandits, was sentenced to 57 months for his role in a $5M South Florida jewelry robbery ring.
Purdue Pharma Sentenced to $5.5 Billion, Unlocking Opioid SettlementMay 3, 2026Law and PolicyJudge Madeline Cox Arleo sentenced Purdue Pharma to $5.5 billion in criminal fines and forfeiture, clearing the path for its $7.4 billion opioid bankruptcy settlement.