Federal Circuit: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY v. US

Tax

Given the background of merger law against which the rules were set, historical tax overpayments and underpayments of companies composed of merged entities can be considered as a single amount, so long as no amounts are offset which were incurred by two companies which both had a distinct existence at the time of the payments.

(Reminder, as always, quick paraphrase of court on matter of public concern -- don't rely.)


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY v. US

Tenth Circuit: Nelson v. United States

Torts, FTCA

So long as the relevant acts of the landowner were purposeful, implicit invitation to use land for recreation can be imputed, even where the landowner subjectively believes the visitor to be a trespasser.

Willful or malicious conduct is best determined by the finder of fact, not on appeal.

Nelson v. United States

Ninth Circuit: USA V. NICHOLAS LINDSEY

Fraud

Where a lender requests specific information, the information provided is considered material to the lender's deliberations.


USA V. NICHOLAS LINDSEY

Ninth Circuit: USA V. ROGELIO LEMUS


Denial of en banc

Amended opinion

USA V. ROGELIO LEMUS

Eighth Circuit: United States v. Juan Johnson

Sentencing

Despite ministerial omissions, sentence not procedurally unreasonable, as court seemed to be aware of the relevant factors.

Sentence for violation of terms of supervised release not substantively unreasonable,  as it was within the maximum for the original offense of conviction.

No error in not recusing.


United States  v.  Juan Johnson

Eighth Circuit: Carlos Rivas-Quilizapa v. Loretta E. Lynch


Immigration


Statements in interview establishing that the country was a dangerous place did not mandate that the IJ advise the petitioner of forms of relief.

Facts that would have been the basis of a claim were in evidence.


Carlos Rivas-Quilizapa  v.  Loretta E. Lynch

Eighth Circuit: United States v. Melvin Blackmon

Sentencing

Sentence not substantively unreasonable.

 United States  v.  Melvin Blackmon

Eighth Circuit: Danny Connor v. CO 1 Box

Prisons

Dismissal of S1983 claim was improper, given claim's suggestion that officials thwarted attempts to file grievances.  Leave to amend was properly denied.

Danny Connor  v.  CO 1 Box


Eighth Circuit: Donnie Cooper v. General American Life Ins. Co

FRCP

Denial of statutory penalty & attorneys fees, as there was no asserted or actual breach of insurance policy terms.

Donnie Cooper  v.  General American Life Ins. Co.

Eighth Circuit: United States v. Michael Lindsey

Sentencing, ACCA

As the challenge to the existence of the predicates in the PSR was untimely and did not make a showing as to why an untimely challenge should be allowed, the convictions are considered to be undisputed facts.

State assault statute that proscribes acts that cause the fear of assault is a valid ACCA predicate.


United States  v.  Michael Lindsey

Eighth Circuit: United States v. Christopher Fisher


Sentencing

Per curiam -  within-guidelines sentence for violations of supervised release not substantively unreasonable.


United States  v.  Christopher Fisher

Seventh Circuit: William Charles Construction v. Teamsters Local Union 627


Labor Law, Statute of Limitations, Arbitration

Clock did not begin to run on the time to challenge a decision of a committee authorized by a CBA until the movant received a copy of the notice of decision at the commencement of litigation.
.
Where a contract explicitly supersedes the CBA and establishes an exclusive remedy, party is not bound by CBA arbitration outcome.

Special appearance at arbitration to dispute its validity does not establish consent to arbitration.

William Charles Construction v.   Teamsters Local Union 627

Seventh Circuit: USA v. Alexis Miranda-Sotolongo

Fourth Amendment, Sentencing

Check of license plate registration in a database is not a Fourth Amendment search. 

Where the facts are ambiguous, the stop is lawful, so long as the possibility of illegal activity is sufficiently probable.

Supervised release conditions (including earning GED) remanded for clarification.

USA v.   Alexis Miranda-Sotolongo

Seventh Circuit: Joseph Felton v. City of Chicago


S1983

S1983 excessive force suit states a claim if the only evidence to the contrary is in newspaper stories outside of the record.


Joseph Felton v.   City of Chicago

Seventh Circuit: USA v. Saliou Mbaye


Fraud, Crim, Sentencing

Testimony of co-defts and lack of tax reporting established sufficient evidence for bank fraud.

Obstruction enhancement appropriate where deft sticks to alibi on the stand.

Within guidelines sentence substantively upheld.

USA v. Saliou Mbaye




Seventh Circuit: Jack Brown v. Kevin Smith


ADA


Question of essential function is for the fact-finder, even where local government holds the qualification to be a prerequisite for the position.

Time allocation was a fair method of determining essential nature of function.

No claim for lack of mitigation, as there was only one bus company in town, and plaintiff started his own business.

Jack Brown v  Kevin Smith

Seventh Circuit: USA v. Juan Adame


Crim, Interstate commerce, FRE


Sufficient evidence on merits.

Use of building for rental establishes interstate commerce requirement of the arson statute.

Historical cell site data admissible under Daubert, since it was appropriately qualified.  Ultimately harmless.

Agent testimony variations from deposition are not properly considered here, since the record was not amended to include the deposition version.

Fact that deft talked about fire on incidental audio associated with video allowed into jury room not overly prejudicial.

USA v.   Juan Adame

Seventh Circuit: Noah Dietchweiler v. Steve Lucas


Due Process

Per curiam -- Due process satisfied for high school suspension where there was notice of the general allegation and a chance to be heard, despite lack of date-specific accusation of drug use.

Concurrence (2) -- troublingly unspecific notice.


Noah Dietchweiler v.  Steve Lucas

Seventh Circuit: Arlene Simpson v. St. James Hospital


Discrimination, Title VII

Anecdotal evidence insufficient to establish valid comparators.


Arlene Simpson v. St. James Hospital

Seventh Circuit: Chun Sui Yuan v. Loretta E. Lynch

Immigration

Insufficient substantial evidence for agency's adverse findings on credibility.


Chun Sui Yuan v.   Loretta E. Lynch