Kyle Barnett News
Texas Attorney General launches investigation into Media Matters for potential fraudulent activity
Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an investigation into progressive “media watchdog” Media Matters for America over allegations of potential fraudulent activity.
Brent Coon & Associates client ordered to return $2.2 million BP claim
NEW ORLEANS – The owner of a seafood wholesaler has been ordered by Deepwater Horizon claims chief Patrick Juneau to return a damage claim worth upwards of $2.2 million he received as part of the Deepwater Horizon settlement process on claims he falsely inflated his income and evaded income taxes to receive a larger payout.
Port Arthur seafood companies owned by man previously convicted of fraud accused of perpetrating $3 million Deepwater Horizon fraud
NEW ORLEANS – A pair of Texas seafood processors owned by a man previously imprisoned for fraud are facing more than $3 million in Deepwater Horizon claims clawbacks after court officials said the firms were not in business at the time of the 2010 oil spill.
Senator defends industry-supported lawsuit lending proposal
BATON ROUGE – A bill making its way through the Louisiana legislature that would regulate lawsuit lending practices has one advocacy group calling the proposed legislation a “bill of goods.”
Another fisherman represented by AndryLerner law firm accused of fraudulent BP claim
NEW ORLEANS – A fisherman who was represented by a law firm alleged to have aided in a previous false BP claim on behalf of another fisherman has been accused of filing a fraudulent $50,000 BP claim that he may not have to pay back because he received a payment through a lawsuit financier.
La. Gov. Jindal signs bill limiting Attorney General’s use of contingency fee attorneys
BATON ROUGE – Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed a bill into law that limits the attorney general’s ability to engage in contingency fee contracts with outside attorneys to handle lawsuits brought on behalf of the state.
IBM Report: Independent journalist covering BP case investigated over leaked emails
NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans-based blogger who published a chain of leaked emails related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement was subjected to an intense investigation to determine how he might have received the documents, according to a report authored by IBM.
Claim administrator shoots back at BP’s request for his removal
NEW ORLEANS – Six weeks after BP PLC filed a motion to remove Patrick Juneau from his position as claims administrator responsible for managing billions of dollars in payouts to those claiming they lost income due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Juneau has responded with a motion on why he should remain.
WSJ editorial: BP oil spill fund an ‘all-you-can-eat buffet’ for trial lawyers
NEW ORLEANS – An editorial in the Wall Street Journal on Oct. 24 lambasted trial lawyers for their apparent greed in pushing claims through the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement agreement that may not be related to the oil spill itself and serve as the basis for a challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court.
National trial attorney conference wraps up in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – American Association of Justice Executive Director Linda Lipsen and its COO Charles Jeffress were among featured speakers at the winter meeting of the National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives (NATLE) that wrapped up with a reception Tuesday evening.
DOJ investigating Louisiana bar inquiries into mental health of prospective lawyers
NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Department of Justice has announced an investigation into the Louisiana bar over alleged violations the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
La. law firm sued for legal malpractice in divorce, bankruptcy proceedings
GRETNA – A local law firm is being sued for alleged mishandling of property records in a divorce hearing and allegedly advising a client to declare bankruptcy.
Super PAC sues Louisiana Board of Ethics over campaign donation limits
NEW ORLEANS – A state political action committee that supports conservative candidates is suing the Louisiana Board of Ethics for allegedly violating right to free speech associated with political contributions above limits set in place by state law.
Plaintiff requests hearing after being ordered to pay back allegedly fraudulent $350K claim
NEW ORLEANS – A shrimper who is alleged to have overstated his income and was provided a sizable settlement arising from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is striking back against requests that he repay the amount in question.
Bill aimed at limiting venue in asbestos cases passes Louisiana House committee
BATON ROUGE – A bill that would limit where lawsuits involving latent diseases can be brought narrowly passed a Louisiana State House of Representatives committee earlier this week.
Shrimper pleads guilty to felony wire fraud in $357K Deepwater Horizon settlement
NEW ORLEANS – A Slidell-based shrimper has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud concerning false tax documents he filed in order to secure a Deepwater Horizon oil spill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
BP settlements slow to a trickle; Critics say system ‘shockingly inefficient’
NEW ORLEANS – The numbers are in and the number of claimants paid under the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement totals 883 for the entire month of September – leaving more than 131,000 people still awaiting resolution, according to records submitted by the settlement administrator.