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3-D Bail Bonds in Hartford Celebrates 25 Years in Business


Hartford Bail Bond Agency Celebrating 25 Year Anniversary

3-D Bail Bonds has been providing service to Hartford families since 1997

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud of the work we have accomplished in the Hartford community. In 1997, Don Toner, Daniel Toner and Andrew (Drew) Bloom opened the first 3-D Bail Bonds office at 910 Albany Ave in Hartford, Connecticut. While the business was located downtown, Dan and Drew mostly went to where the customer was, whether it was a police station, local jail, or other location. We were there for them.

We are still there for them. We have grown since 1997. We’re now located at 57 Fishfry Street in North Hartford. It’s a short walk from our second story office to the Hartford Correctional Center. We have offices that span Connecticut, from Stamford to Groton and from Willimantic to New Haven. We’ve been anywhere to everywhere helping families keep their loved one’s home and free while they await a trial.

Our clients have been rich, they’ve been poor. They have come from loving families and broken homes. Men and women from every walk of life. Mostly they are young. Over 70% of non-violent felonies are committed by people under the age of twenty-five. For first time offenders the ordeal of being arrested is often traumatic. The stress of having to go to jail adds to the tension, both for the defendant and their families. Many families in Hartford can’t afford the cost of bail in full. We’ve helped solve that problem for many families in that situation over the years. Some families can’t even afford the fee they need to pay us. We solved that too by initiating affordable and easy to understand payment plans for our financially stressed clients.

Historically among small businesses in the United States only 11% of themhttps://www.jpmorganchase.com/institute/research/small-business/small-business-dashboard/longevity survive for 25 years. Adding the pros and cons of the bail bonds industry and the legal challenges and limitations within, keeping a bail company alive for over two decades should be considered a lifetime achievement. 3-D Bail Bonds faced many challenges throughout the years. The unexpected passing of owner Don Toner in 2011 marked the agency with tragedy. While Dan and Drew managed to keep bail agents busy, “bail” is one strange industry. The bail business was and still is unpredictable. Many bail agents passed by 3-D Bail Bonds, some started their career with us and then created their own companies.

“Dad’s bail bonds” was also part of the same network of 3-D Bail Bonds serving individual surety bail agents throughout the country. Unlike being part of 3-D Bail Bonds, they were assigned to the Dad’s company separately. This network allowed the owners to experience the industry while offering employment to many professionals throughout the country with many within the state of Connecticut.

Dan and Drew have been proud to have the ability to offer opportunities for young minds to grow their careers at 3-D Bail Bonds. They offer employees training and flexible schedules for office positions. Several employees have gotten married, many have bought homes, had children, raised their families and have been the chief bread winner of their household. Many have been working at 3-D for more than ten years, some as many as twenty.

Jordan Toner says, “my dad’s success is a result of dedication to making an unpleasant experience as pleasant as humanly possible. He has compassion as a bail agent and employer. He’s spent tireless hours and efforts toward improving every facet of the industry.”

3-D Bail Bonds has been an integral part of the Hartford community in other ways as well. They’ve taken part in local initiatives and events. They help people in need in more ways than bail bonds. Some events that 3-D Bail Bonds has hosted to support local nonprofit institutions and communities include Annual Toy Drives, Giving Tuesdays and sponsoring local sporting events.

The main 3-D difference is that owners Dan and Drew truly care about their clients, the client’s families and the bail work they do. This compassionate support is what differentiates 3-D Bail Bonds from our competitors. It is the guiding principle of the agency since its founding. Dan and Drew have worked tirelessly to ensure their services remain affordable to everyone. Today, as they celebrate 25 years in business, 3-D Bail Bonds continue to provide unmatched service at affordable prices. They offer the same outstanding service all over Connecticut. There is no place in the state where a needy family cannot get in touch with one of our agents. “There is no other agency like 3-D Bail Bonds, and we are happy and grateful to all our clients to be able to celebrate our 25th anniversary, thank you for choosing us”, shares team 3-D Bail Bonds.

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Former High School Dean with Ties to Latin Kings Ordered to Pay $10M in Damages to Keches Law Group Client


On August 5, 2022, a federal judge ordered Shaun O. Harrison, a former English High School Dean, to pay Keches Law Group client Luis “Angel” Rodriguez $10 million in compensatory damages for shooting the then 17-year-old student in the back of the head at point-blank range on March 3, 2015, in Roxbury Massachusetts.

US District Judge Leo. T Sorokin awarded Rodriguez $7.5 million for his physical pain and suffering and emotional distress and $2.5 million in punitive damages.

The case was prosecuted by John Martin, Thomas Wood, and Michaela Weaver of Keches Law Group in the United States District Court District of Massachusetts Civil No. 19-10116-LTS.

“At Keches, it is our hope that in taking cases like this, the judgment will send shockwaves through public city schools around the country,” says Keches Attorney John T. Martin. “These schools need to protect our children from predators and must be held accountable when they fail to do so.”

Charges against Boston Public Schools and Harrison in his official capacity there, excepting one count, were dismissed.

According to court documents, Harrison was responsible for counseling and supporting students in his position as dean. Harrison took advantage of his position and relationship with Rodriguez and offered him an illegal opportunity to make money by selling marijuana for him. Judge Sorokin wrote in his judgement that Harrison “abused a position of trust, responsibility, and authority.”

Rodriguez’s relationship with Harrison turned into a transactional one when Harrison offered to front one ounce of marijuana to Rodriguez for the price of $200.

Over time, the two became frustrated with one another – Harrison accused Rodriguez of stealing from him and Rodriguez complained that the deal was unfairly lopsided. Upon learning that Harrison kept a firearm in his home and was a member of the East Coast Latin Kings gang, Rodriguez made it known that he did not want to associate with gangs or guns.

All disagreements came to a head on March 3, 2015, when Harrison invited Rodriguez to hang out at his home and the two met first at a Sunoco Gas Station on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston that evening. Harrison then went to go make a phone call and while he did so, Rodriguez turned the other way. Harrison then shot Rodriguez in the back of his head at a point-blank range.

Judge Sorokin wrote in his ruling that Rodriguez “survived through a combination of gritty determination” and “good fortune—the bullet missed his brain stem and carotid artery by two centimeters.” Rodriguez survived the 2015 attack by courageously plugging the hole in his head with his fingers to stop the bleeding and flagging down a passing motorist.

Rodriguez has endured significant injuries and an immense amount of emotional and physical pain and suffering that still affects him today. He has post-traumatic stress disorder, had two surgeries, and suffered a shattered jaw, causing his mouth to be wired shut for nine months. He remains paralyzed on half of his face, suffers from neuropathy in his neck and face, has had hearing loss, and requires weights on his eye lids to aid in opening and shutting his eyes. The bullet remains lodged in his head, causing headaches as well as pain in cold weather.

“Although we are pleased with the result, the battle is far from over,” says Martin. “It is very disheartening that Boston Public Schools has refused to accept any responsibility for subjecting students and staff to this obviously dangerous predator. We will appeal the dismissal of the claims against BPS to the fullest extent of the law.”

ABOUT KECHES LAW GROUP

Keches Law Group is one of the largest and most well-respected personal injury and workers’ comp law firms in Massachusetts. Since opening its doors in 1986, the group has recovered more than $1 billion in recoveries for their clients. The firm’s 40+ attorneys across its nine offices in New England possess decades of combined legal experience and have proven track record of achieving excellent results for their clients while earning the reputation for being tough litigators. For more than 30 years, Keches Law Group has supported organized labor and fights for the rights of people injured on the job throughout the Greater Boston area, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. In 2020 and 2021, Keches Law Group won the two largest jury verdicts in Massachusetts. Other practice areas include social security disability, employment law, class action, medical malpractice, and more. Keches Law Group also prioritizes community involvement and charitable causes through their non-profit organization Keches Cares and is committed to making a positive impact through leadership and volunteer roles in various local organization. For more information, visit http://www.kecheslaw.com or follow along on social at @kecheslaw.

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Marsala Law Group Launches Lifelong Hobby Scholarship for College Students


Marsala Law Group Launches Lifelong Hobby Scholarship

Marsala Law Group will be furthering its efforts to serve the Denton area community by offering the Lifelong Hobby Scholarship. Each semester beginning in Fall of 2022, the firm will provide a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student. To apply, students must submit a 3-minute video discussing a hobby they consider to be a lifelong passion and explaining how they will continue to enjoy their hobby while pursuing education and later, working.

Attorney Dominick Marsala chose this topic because he believes that students and professionals alike can benefit from pursuing a hobby despite a hectic school or work schedule. Marsala Law Group values maintaining a healthy work-life–or school-life–balance, believing that a personal pursuit can help a person in other areas of their life.

The topic selected reflects the values of Marsala Law Group in encouraging young people to pursue healthy hobbies while seeking higher education, and throughout their lives. The firm welcomes this opportunity to give back to the community.

Applications will be judged based on the creativity, originality, and quality of the submission video, in addition to how well it addresses the prompt.

Student applicants must be enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate college program and must have a 3.0 GPA. To view other requirements and apply, students can visit: https://www.marsalalawgroup.com/scholarship

About Marsala Law Group

Marsala Law Group is a criminal defense law firm based in Denton, Texas. The firm takes on some of the most challenging criminal cases and takes great pride in providing clients with honest, aggressive representation. It represents clients accused of serious crimes such as sex offenses and violent crimes, as well as misdemeanors like DWI and domestic violence.

Marsala Law Group also offers family law and personal injury representation.

To learn more about Marsala Law Group, please visit: https://www.marsalalawgroup.com/. To schedule a consultation, please call 940-382-1976.

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Former OFAC Enforcement Section Chief Rachel Fiorill Joins Morrison Foerster


News Image

Morrison Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Rachel Fiorill has joined its National Security and Global Risk + Crisis Management Groups as of counsel in Washington, D.C. Fiorill brings to the firm a varied experience working on economic sanctions, including compliance, investigations, enforcement, and due diligence, from the perspective of previous U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and private sector experience.

Fiorill joins Morrison Foerster from another leading global law firm, where she advised U.S. and global companies on economic sanctions, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML), anti-corruption, and export control matters. She has assisted global financial institutions and investment, technology, and other financial services companies in a variety of sanctions and BSA/AML-related investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, OFAC, federal regulators, and Congress, as well as the New York Department of Financial Services.

“Rachel’s extensive experience with sanctions, BSA/AML, and export control matters will allow her to guide our clients through their most complex issues on a global scale,” said John Smith, co-head of the firm’s highly rated National Security practice. “Her blend of OFAC enforcement and private practice experience will be a tremendous asset for our clients.”

Prior to her most recent private practice role, Fiorill served as an enforcement section chief of OFAC where she developed extensive knowledge of economic sanctions laws and regulations. At OFAC, she led the investigations and resolutions of hundreds of enforcement actions, including several groundbreaking civil monetary penalties. Fiorill served as coordinator for the Enforcement Division’s Ukraine/Russia and Syria-related investigations and developed particular expertise in OFAC’s Iran sanctions while representing the Enforcement Division in agency-wide Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action implementation matters. She is the third former OFAC official to join the firm’s Washington, D.C. office in recent years, following in the footsteps of John Smith, former OFAC director; Andrea Delisi, former assistant chief counsel of OFAC; and Brandon Van Grack, who oversaw criminal investigation of sanctions and export control matters during his tenure at the Department of Justice.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the firm’s leading National Security team,” said Fiorill. “I look forward to joining forces with my Morrison Foerster colleagues and drawing on my experiences at OFAC and in private practice to help our clients navigate the rapidly evolving and complex environment of sanctions and export controls we are experiencing right now.”

Prior to joining OFAC, Rachel spent many years in private practice handling a wide array of regulatory matters related to economic sanctions and export controls, as well as white-collar and other defense matters. She earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, her M.P.P. from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, and her B.A. from Brandeis University.

ABOUT MORRISON FOERSTER

Morrison Foerster is a leading global law firm that transforms complexity into advantage for its clients. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, banks, consulting and accounting firms, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. Highlighting the firm’s commitment to client service, leadership in market-changing deals and impact litigation, and values-based culture, Morrison Foerster was recognized as one of the top 10 firms on The American Lawyer’s 2021 A-List. Year after year, the firm receives significant recognition from Chambers and The Legal 500 across their various guides, including Global, USA, Asia-Pacific, Europe, UK, Latin America, and FinTech Legal. Our lawyers passionately care about delivering legal excellence while living our values. Morrison Foerster has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture that respects and celebrates differences, while providing an inclusive environment. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus since 2018 as a result of successfully reaching at least 30 percent women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community and society through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education and fostering the wellbeing of children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, enforcing the right to asylum, and safeguarding the environment.

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18 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Named to Florida Trend 2022 Legal Elite


Eighteen attorneys from global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. are recognized in Florida Trend magazine’s 2022 Legal Elite.

Legal Elite, now in its 19th year, is an annual list showcasing Florida’s top lawyers as chosen by their peers. Fewer than 2% of lawyers practicing in Florida are selected to appear on the list.

This year, six Greenberg Traurig shareholders received special honors as members of the Legal Elite Hall of Fame, a distinguished group of attorneys who have earned consistently top rankings for at least 10 years. The six attorneys are Miami Shareholders Burt Bruton, Gary A. Saul, and Elliot H. Scherker; Tampa Shareholders Richard C. McCrea Jr. and David B. Weinstein; and Tallahassee Shareholder Barry Richard.

In addition, Shareholders Ryan T. Hopper, Enjoliqué Aytch Lett, and Jay A. Yagoda are recognized in the “Up and Comers” category. Respected by their peers for excellence in the legal field, Up and Comers are attorneys under 40 who represent the future of the legal profession in Florida, according to the publication.

The nomination process for Legal Elite is open to all Florida Bar members, who are asked to “name attorneys whom they hold in the highest regard or would recommend to others.”

The following Greenberg Traurig attorneys are listed as Florida Trend Legal Elite 2022 honorees:

Fort Lauderdale

Miami

  • Burt Bruton, Real Estate, Hall of Fame
  • Sabrina R. Gallo, Civil Trial
  • Yosbel A. Ibarra, International Law
  • Alexandra Bach Lagos, Civil Trial
  • Enjoliqué Aytch Lett, Commercial Litigation, Up and Comer
  • Francisco O. Sanchez, Commercial Litigation
  • Gary A. Saul, Real Estate, Hall of Fame
  • Elliot H. Scherker, Appellate, Hall of Fame
  • Jay A. Yagoda, Appellate, Up and Comer

Tallahassee

  • Barry Richard, Commercial Litigation, Hall of Fame
  • John K. Londot, Commercial Litigation

Tampa

  • Jordan L. Behlman, Criminal Law
  • Michael G. Cooke, Environmental & Land Use
  • Ryan T. Hopper, Litigation, Up and Comer
  • Gregory W. Kehoe, Business Law
  • Richard C. McCrea Jr., Labor & Employment, Hall of Fame
  • David B. Weinstein, Environmental & Land Use, Hall of Fame

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2400 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm, often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono, reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021. The firm is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, NLJ 250, and Law360 (US) 400. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.

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Patrick A. Salvi II installed as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association


Patrick A. Salvi II

“During my term, I want to ensure that the public and our legislators have a deep understanding of how the laws affect our clients so that the law can continue to reflect the values of our State.”

Patrick A. Salvi II, Managing Partner of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. in Chicago, Illinois, will be installed as the 69th President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) on Friday, June 17, 2022, at its annual convention at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Salvi, 39, received his law degree Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2007, and his bachelor’s degree with Distinction from the University of Colorado in 2004. Mr. Salvi was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. In 2008, he was admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. He joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. as an attorney in 2007 and was named managing partner of the Chicago office in 2017.

Mr. Salvi concentrates his legal practice on cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and mass torts. He has successfully tried cases throughout the state and has received numerous record-breaking jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients.

Mr. Salvi has been an active member of ITLA since 2007 and has served on the Board of Managers and the Executive Committee. He was selected as the Third Vice-President in 2019. He is also a co-chair of the publications committee for the Trial Journal and a co-author of the Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook chapter on Informed Consent. Mr. Salvi is also an active member of the American Association of Justice (AAJ), where he formerly sat on the Board of Governors and currently sits on the AAJ PAC Board of Trustees.

In addition, Mr. Salvi holds memberships in the Lake County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association where he is a member of the Tort Law Committee.

Outside the courtroom, Mr. Salvi is involved in many charitable organizations, including serving as a board member of Legal Aid Chicago, an organization that provides free legal services to people living in poverty.

In recognition of his outstanding legal work, Mr. Salvi was named Best Lawyers’ 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for medical malpractice in Chicago. He has also been honored as a Super Lawyer since 2014 and as one of the Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Every year since 2017, he has been listed in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America, an elite guide in the legal profession.

Mr. Salvi is looking forward to becoming the president of ITLA, following in the footsteps of many outstanding trial lawyers who have come before him, including his father Patrick A. Salvi Sr., the founder of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, and with whom Salvi has practiced for the last 15 years.

“It is my honor to lead an association that works toward the common good of making society safer and for ensuring that all people have access to the civil justice system. Affording those who are injured due to the fault of another an opportunity to be compensated for their injuries is essential to fundamental fairness and accountability in our daily lives,” Patrick A. Salvi II said. “During my term, I want to ensure that the public and our legislators have a deep understanding of how the laws affect our clients so that the law can continue to reflect the values of our State.”

Salvi resides in Winnetka with his wife, Julianna, and three children, Patrick, Victoria and Jack. In his free time, Salvi enjoys being with his family, attending his children’s events, and cheering for their favorite sports teams: the White Sox, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

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Scottsdale Injury Lawyers Obtains $11.75 Million Dollar Settlement In Inmate Assault Case Against Maricopa County and Sheriff Paul Penzone


Surveillance image showing Ortiz being extracted from his cell after the assault.

The settlement is believed to be the largest ever paid by Maricopa County to a single individual arising from a jail-related injury.

On June 7, 2022, a dismissal was entered as the final step in resolving a lawsuit brought by a young man allegedly assaulted in a Maricopa County jail. Maricopa County and Sheriff Paul Penzone agreed to pay $11.75 Million dollars to Brian Ortiz who allegedly suffered a brain injury while in the custody of MCSO. Ortiz was 18 years old at the time. The settlement was approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on May 18, 2022.

The lawsuit was filed on September 8, 2020 in the United States District Court of Arizona. The lawsuit was filed by the mother of Ortiz and entitled Selene Ortiz as guardian of Brian Ortiz, Et Al. v. Maricopa County, Et Al. The case was designated #2:20-CV-01746-SPL and Steven P. Logan was the presiding judge. The lawsuit named the County, Sheriff Paul Penzone and several deputies and jail medical workers as defendants.

The lawsuit alleged that Maricopa County, Sheriff Paul Penzone and other individuals they employed failed to protect Ortiz when he was in custody. The lawsuit further alleged that these parties were deliberately indifferent to Ortiz’s serious medical needs after he was assaulted. The lawsuit asserted claims for alleged violations of Ortiz’s constitutional rights under the Eighth Amendment pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

The introduction section of the Complaint alleged that, “Ortiz was punched, kicked and stomped by another inmate almost 50 times” and “was beaten with such violent force that he fell into a coma and did not regain consciousness for more than two months.” This section also alleged that “during the assault and in the critical time period following…no one came to his aid…[and] Ortiz was not so much as placed in an ambulance until approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes after he was laying unconscious on the ground, seizing and bleeding from his head.”

Ortiz and his mother were represented by C. Tony Piccuta of Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC. Piccuta and Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC are currently handling a number of high-profile cases against law enforcement. This includes a wrongful death shooting case against a Mohave County Sheriff’s Deputy that occurred in April 2021. That action is entitled Rose v. Farney, Et Al. and was filed in the United States District Court of Arizona on April 6, 2022.

Contact C. Tony Piccuta from Scottsdale Injury Lawyers, LLC to learn more about this story. https://www.scottsdaleinjurylawyers.com/ (480) 900-7390.

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Ken Rosenfeld Gets Felony Charges Dismissed against Tulare Contractor in Sonoma County Post-Wildfire Building Fraud Case


Ken Rosenfeld, California Criminal Defense Attorney

Ken Rosenfeld, California Criminal Defense Attorney

We are extremely pleased to have gotten all the felony charges dismissed and to see our client avoid jail time

The Rosenfeld Law Firm announces that all felony charges against a construction company owner accused of allegedly scamming Santa Rosa wildfire victims have been dismissed, thanks to the efforts of California criminal defense attorney Ken Rosenfeld.

According to Sonoma County Superior Court records (Case #2020 SCR739708-2), Pamela Chiaramonte, co-owner of Chiaramonte Construction & Plumbing, was accused of 32 felony charges, including alleged grand theft of personal property, related to the rebuilding of homes following the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa. In the plea agreement negotiated by Rosenfeld, Chiaramonte pled no contest to one misdemeanor count of diversion of funds in Sonoma County Superior Court on April 29.

Originally facing more than 20 years in prison, Chiaramonte has instead been sentenced to community service.

“This is a huge win and a great relief for Pam,” said Rosenfeld of his client. “We are extremely pleased to have gotten all the felony charges dismissed and to see our client avoid jail time.”

About The Rosenfeld Law Firm

With offices in Sacramento, San Jose, and Palm Springs, The Rosenfeld Law Firm provides aggressive defense of a wide range of high-profile criminal defense cases. California criminal defense attorney Ken Rosenfeld defends such cases as first-degree murder and sex offense cases, and also provides DUI defense. In addition to mental health criminal defense, The Rosenfeld Law Firm also practices federal criminal defense and juvenile defense, as well as appellate law and prison law. As a skilled criminal law commentator, Rosenfeld makes regular appearances on KTXL TV and FOX40’s Ask An Attorney. Rosenfeld was named 2020 Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers. For more information, please contact Ken Rosenfeld directly at (916) 447-2070, or visit http://www.therosenfeldlawfirm.com.

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Press release writing by WebSiteText and Proofreading Services by The Proofreaders. The Rosenfeld Law Firm recommends Brian P. Murphy for nursing home abuse litigation.

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The Identity Theft Resource Center and LexisNexis Risk Solutions Reveal New Pandemic-Related Identity Fraud Report


Pandemic-Related Identity Fraud Crime Victim Impacts Report

Pandemic-Related Identity Fraud Crime Victim Impacts Report

“This report shows the scope of the fraud, and gives us a roadmap for how to help avoid similar mass fraud events while respecting consumer privacy,” said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center.

The Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, and – LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a leading provider of data, analytics, and technology to help organizations manage risk – have released the Pandemic-Related Identity Fraud Crime Victim Impacts Report. The report shows how individuals and government agencies have been impacted since 2020 by an unprecedented wave of government benefits identity fraud.

Based on responses from more than 1,800 consumers, self-identified identity crime victims, and government officials, the pandemic-related identity fraud report was originally presented at the ITRC 2022 Government Identity Fraud Summit in April.

“We speak with identity crime victims every day at the ITRC,” said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “However, during the past two years, we have seen a volume and velocity of identity fraud on an unprecedented scale. This report shows the scope of the fraud, and gives us a roadmap for how to help avoid similar mass fraud events while respecting consumer privacy.”

“We are proud to collaborate with impactful organizations like the ITRC to protect Americans from identity theft and provide resources for those in need,” said Haywood Talcove, CEO, Government, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “We believe in putting people first in any discussion about fraud prevention, because every statistic represents a real person and potentially a family negatively impacted by identity theft. The pandemic put an unprecedented strain on government benefit systems. Studies such as this can help us improve technology and continue to assist government agencies as they work to provide critical services to deserving citizens.”

The pandemic-related identity fraud report points to several areas of concern, including:


  • Forty-two (42) percent of pandemic benefit applicants reported being the victim of identity fraud that led to them being denied benefits or benefits being disbursed in their name when they had not applied.
  • Twenty-four (24) percent of victims’ cases required between six months and one year to resolve. Eight (8) percent of 2021 victims describe their cases as unresolved in April 2022.
  • Fifty-nine (59) percent of government executives reported that they have modernized their technology since January 1, 2020. Thirty-one (31) percent added steps to their identity verification process, 13 percent added new tools, five (5) percent moved to an automated ID verification system, and three (3) percent added a new vendor.
  • Seventy-one (71) percent of those who made changes to their identity verification process saw no change in the acceptance/rejection rate, while 24 percent saw the acceptance rate increase. Six (6) percent saw the rejection rate increase, and six (6) percent saw the fraudulent application acceptance rate increase.
  • There are significant disconnects between the types of identity credentials consumers are required to provide to government agencies and the willingness or desire of individuals to provide the information. While 16 percent of consumers expressed no qualms with providing the requested information, the remaining respondents revealed varying levels of concern. The largest group of consumers – 48 percent – were concerned that their personal information could be exposed in a data breach. Employee misuse, government surveillance, profiling and identity confusion were the other concerns identified.

View the full pandemic-related identity fraud report here.

About the Identity Theft Resource Center

Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions

LexisNexis® Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data and advanced analytics to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. We provide data and technology solutions for a wide range of industries, including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and government. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit http://www.risk.lexisnexis.com and http://www.relx.com.

Media Contacts

Identity Theft Resource Center

Alex Achten

Head of Earned & Owned Media Relations

888.400.5530 Ext. 3611

media@idtheftcenter.org

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Paul Eckloff

Mobile: 202.941.6986

Paul.Eckloff@lnssi.com

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Fivecast recognized for outstanding growth in open-source intelligence solutions


open-source intelligence (OSINT)

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) solutions drive growth for Fivecast

Fivecast delivers AI-powered open-source intelligence solutions that help customers across law enforcement, national security, defense and corporate security collect, filter and analyze masses of data from the surface, deep and dark web to uncover actionable insights.

With a focus on helping their customers address the world’s biggest challenges through technology innovations, Fivecast has achieved tremendous growth over the past three years which has culminated in achieving the number one ranking in the SA Fast Movers awards for 2022.

Fivecast delivers AI-powered open-source intelligence solutions that help customers across law enforcement, national security, defense and corporate security collect, filter and analyze masses of data from the surface, deep and dark web to uncover insights for use cases ranging from counter terrorism to human trafficking, fraud detection, transnational crime and more.

The Fast Movers SA program is delivered by accounting firm, BDO, and recognizes the fastest growing, most innovative and arguably smartest small to medium enterprises in South Australia. Companies were assessed across the key performance indicator of 3-year average revenue growth with Fivecast achieving a massive 250% average growth in revenue. Additionally, Fivecast was awarded the highest employment growth award, achieving 147% average employee growth between 2019 and 2022.

The award was presented to Fivecast CEO and co-founder, Dr. Brenton Cooper, at a breakfast attended by business and government leaders, including new SA Premier, Mr. Peter Malinauskas, at the Adelaide Oval last week.

Reflecting on the award, Dr. Brenton Cooper commented “Our mission at Fivecast is to enable a safer world. This award is testament to the power that digital intelligence technology brings to our customers across missions ranging from countering terrorism, monitoring extremism, understanding online influence, and fighting financial crime. Thank-you to our customers and partners that have joined us on the journey so far. With their support, Fivecast has developed a robust and sustainable business and achieved high levels of revenue growth.”

While Fivecast is based in South Australia, they have established and growing operations in the USA and the UK and count both Federal and state Government agencies as well as private organizations among their customer base.

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