Variety

Published on: October 20, 2019

Three Construction Workers Dead, 20 People Injured in New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel Collapse

Three construction workers are dead and 20 people were injured after the top floors of an 18-story, half-built Hard Rock Hotel collapsed on October 12. The building was under construction at the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Most of the approximately 100 construction workers at the construction site were uninjured, but three workers were declared dead and 20 others were rushed to area hospitals.

Published on: October 10, 2019

Class Action Lawsuit Filed in Alabama Challenges the State’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws

by Brian Silber

A federal class-action lawsuit recently filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama is challenging the constitutionality of the state’s civil asset forfeiture system.

Civil asset forfeiture is a legal practice that allows law enforcement to take possession of private property—cash, vehicles, real estate, etc.—if it is suspected of being connected to criminal activity. In many states, an individual doesn’t even need to be charged with a crime before their property is taken.

Published on: October 8, 2019

Ulises Corrales Ibarra Identified as Fifth Construction Worker Killed at I-4 Ultimate Construction Site in Orlando, FL

by Brian Silber

Authorities have identified Ulises Corrales Ibarra as the construction worker killed at an I-4 construction site in Orlando, FL, on September 28. One other worker was reportedly injured.

According to SGL Constructors, the fatal accident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. by Lake Lucerne in downtown Orlando. A concrete beam reportedly slipped off a piece of equipment and struck Corrales Ibarra and another SGL construction worker.

Published on: October 1, 2019

Three Fresno Cops Accused of Stealing Over $225,000 Can’t Be Sued, Court Rules

by Brian Silber

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that three Fresno police officers accused of stealing more than $225,000 while executing a search warrant are entitled to “qualified immunity” and therefore can’t be sued.

The judges panel acknowledged that the officers should have recognized the alleged theft was morally wrong, but it concluded that they didn’t violate the Fourth Amendment.

Published on: September 26, 2019

Police in Willmington, IL, Seek to Use Asset Forfeiture to Seize Corey Ingram’s Truck

by Brian Silber

Police in Willmington, IL, are reportedly seeking to seize the vehicle of a 27-year-old man who was arrested in August for armed robbery.

According to documents filed by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, police are seeking to forfeit a 1997 GMC 2500 truck owned by Correy A. Ingram of Diamond.