James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Sep 8 2021
2nd Cir. 18-3712 Panel Decision

United States v. Percoco

The Second Circuit affirmed the convictions of Joseph Percoco and Steven Aiello for honest-services wire fraud, ruling that while a jury instruction regarding 'as opportunities arise' was technically flawed, the error was harmless. The court further reaffirmed that non-employees can owe a fiduciary duty to the public if they dominate and control government business, rejecting arguments that Percoco's lack of formal employment shielded him from liability.

Criminal Fraud
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Sep 8 2021
2nd Cir. 18-3850 Panel Decision

United States v. Percoco

The Second Circuit affirmed the convictions of Joseph Percoco and Steven Aiello for honest-services wire fraud and solicitation of gratuities. The court held that while a jury instruction regarding 'as opportunities arise' was legally imprecise, the error was harmless given the overwhelming evidence of specific quid pro quos.

Criminal Fraud
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Sep 8 2021
2nd Cir. 18-3715 Panel Decision

United States v. Percoco

The Second Circuit affirmed the convictions of Joseph Percoco and Steven Aiello for honest-services wire fraud and bribery, ruling that while a jury instruction regarding 'as opportunities arise' was legally imprecise, the error was harmless. The court further reaffirmed that non-employees can owe fiduciary duties to the public if they dominate governmental business and are relied upon by officials.

Criminal Fraud
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Aug 23 2023
2nd Cir. 20-1643-cv Panel Decision

New England Carpenters Guaranteed Annuity and Pension Funds v. AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

The Second Circuit held that AmTrust Financial Services' public statements regarding its accounting for extended warranty revenue and employee bonuses were actionable statements of opinion under the Securities Act. The court vacated the dismissal of these specific claims and remanded the case for trial, while affirming the dismissal of all other securities fraud allegations.

Civil Securities
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Apr 12 2021
2nd Cir. 20-3499-cr Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TURKIYE HALK BANKASI A.S

The Second Circuit held that a denial of a motion to dismiss a criminal indictment based on the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act is immediately appealable under the collateral order doctrine. The court further determined that even assuming FSIA immunity applies in criminal cases, the defendant bank's conduct fell within the commercial activity exception, thereby affirming the district court's denial of the motion to dismiss.

Criminal Fraud
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Feb 20 2019
11th Cir. 8:19-cv-00448-VMC-CPT

____________________ U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. SPARTAN SECURITIES GROUP, LTD ISLAND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CARL E. DILLEY MICAH J. ELDRED DAVID D. LOPEZ ___________...

The Eleventh Circuit reviewed an SEC enforcement action alleging securities fraud violations of Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 involving shell companies and false statements to FINRA and DTC. The district court denied defendants’ motions to exclude…

Criminal Embezzlement & Forgery
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