Author: Scott A. Ferris, Esq.

DeSantis Signs Bill Into Law Legalizing Smokable Medical Marijuana

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New Florida Governor Ron DeSanits signed his first bill into law on Monday, and it’s a substantial one. DeSantis signed SB 182, making it legal for patients who are prescribed smokable medical marijuana to obtain it and use it. Since taking office, DeSantis has pushed for lawmakers to repeal Florida’s ban on smokable medical marijuana. “Over 70 percent of Florida voters approved medical marijuana in 2016,” said Governor... [...]

11th Circuit Rules Miami Cop Can Be Sued for Excessive Force

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled a Miami police officer is not entitled to immunity from an excessive force civil rights lawsuit alleging he intentionally placed handcuffs tight enough to do permanent nerve damage to the hands of a man stopped for speeding. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus authored the opinion released Thursday. He was joined by Senior Circuit Judge Joel Dubina and U.S. Court of International... [...]

He owes over 2,100 fraud victims $19.7 million. And feds think he’s trying to hide money

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A South Florida lawyer helped pull off a $19.7 million fraud — a pump-and-dump stock scheme involving shell companies. Now, federal prosecutors thinks James Schneider of Hillsboro Beach is trying to play them in a modern version of an old-fashioned shell game, keeping the government looking in one place while hiding his money in another. Schneider, 77, was sentenced in Miami federal court to seven years in federal prison on Feb. 15... [...]

DNA leads to arrest 34 years after Navy recruit’s slaying

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Detectives investigating the 3-decade-old slaying of a Navy recruit used genealogical research involving DNA to track down and arrest a suspect who was a one-time Navy training classmate of the victim, authorities in Florida said Thursday. Thomas Garner, 59, was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday for the 1984 slaying of Pamela Cahanes, said Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. Cahanes was 25 at the time of her death and... [...]

Miami exec who bribed Penn coach also reached out to consultant in admissions scandal

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Wealthy Miami Beach businessman Philip Esformes was covering his bases to get his son into the University of Pennsylvania and its exclusive Wharton School. He first approached Penn’s varsity basketball coach Jerome Allen in May 2013 about placing the son on his short list of recruits so he would be put on a fast track to gain acceptance to the Ivy League school. To make the dream a reality, Esformes plied the coach with bribes —... [...]