san diego lawyer who went to prison

How long was John Douglass Jennings in jail?

In the packed federal courtroom of Judge Gonzalo Curiel yesterday (April 5), attorney John Douglass Jennings Jr. was sentenced to 34 months in prison, while his wife Peggy, who worked in real estate, got four months behind bars. She had been charged with bank fraud and aiding and abetting. She was ordered to pay J.P. Morgan Chase, a huge New York financial institution, $1.45 million. Her lawyer portrayed her husband as the one controlling her.

What was the charge against Jennings and his wife?

In 2013, bankruptcy court Judge Louse DeCarl Adler charged both Jennings and his wife with “embezzlement and larceny” in a transaction, “with fraudulent and felonious intent.” Their actions were “willful and malicious,” said Adler. The Jennings filed for Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy in 2012.

Who recorded calls between inmates and their lawyers?

In 2018, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged that its communications contractor, GTF of Falls Church, Va., had illegally recorded thousands of calls between inmates and their lawyers.

Who is working with the sheriff, district attorney and the Superior Court's presiding judge?

The public defender’s office is working with the sheriff, district attorney and the Superior Court’s presiding judge to determine the extent of the privileged recordings and whether any others were disseminated outside the Sheriff’s Department, Mize said.

Who recorded privileged conversations between defense attorneys and their clients?

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department recorded dozens of privileged conversations between defense attorneys and their clients for much of the last year and, in at least one case, the recording found its way to the district attorney’s office.

Who runs the county public defender's office?

Randy Mize, who runs the county public defender’s office, said the Sheriff’s Department recordings undermine a bedrock constitutional safeguard: privileged communications between an attorney and their client.

Who is Jeff McDonald?

Jeff McDonald is a member of the investigative reporting team at The San Diego Union-Tribune, and was named journalist of the year in 2015 by the local Society of Professional Journalists. He writes about government and institutional misconduct and waste in San Diego County and beyond. He can be reached at (619) 293-1708 or jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com.

Who is Herbert Weston?

Herbert Weston, a longtime criminal defense attorney in Vista, said he has raised blanket objections to the Sheriff’s Department’s handling of attorney-client communications for months.

Did the district attorney receive any recordings?

Walker said to his knowledge the district attorney’s office had received no other recordings between defense lawyers and their clients. He declined to specify how the recording was sent to prosecutors.

Where did Lerach get his law degree?

Lerach earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He gave the May 2003 Commencement Address "American Law: Instrument of Social Progress or Weapon of Repression?" at the Univ of Pittsburgh Law School. The University of Pittsburgh bestowed one of its highest awards on Lerach, designating him a "Legacy Laureate" reserved for the University's most outstanding graduates. He was a major financial donor to Democratic Party organizations at the state and national level.

Who was the Vice President of the United States when he fell from grace?

Lerach was successful in suing some of the largest names in American business and was suing Halliburton and its then CEO Dick Cheney, the Vice President of the United States, when he fell from grace. Lerach had turned his sights on Halliburton and Cheney, the former CEO. In Lerach's lawsuit against Halliburton, he argued that Cheney had fled the company just ahead of the stock collapse, finding refuge in the White House. The attorney was in a position to subpoena and demand public testimony from the vice president, and he doubted that Cheney would be able to successfully hide behind a claim of executive privilege.

Why was Joe Camel a fraud?

Reynolds' Joe Camel campaign constituted a fraudulent business practice because it targeted minors and induced minors and cigarette sellers to break the law.

Who was Lerach's partner?

Lerach's former Milberg Weiss partner, Melvyn Weiss, was similarly sentenced in early June 2008. In an interview following his release, Lerach offered his thoughts and opinions that possible political motivation and the timing of his indictment could have been likely factors in his prosecution.

Who was the judge for the Lerach case?

Lerach was a major Democratic donor for many years. His case and sentencing were presided over by US District Court Judge John F. Walter. Lerach earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

What happened to Lerach?

In 2007 he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. In 2009 he was disbarred from practicing law in California. As part of the settlement, Lerach would not cooperate as a witness and his law firm would be protected from any further prosecution.

Why did Murdaugh go to jail?

The attorney for prominent South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, who discovered his wife and son dead at their home this summer, said Murdaugh is resigned that he will serve time in prison for stealing millions of dollars.

What is the Murdaugh law firm accused of?

Murdaugh's former law firm — founded by his great-grandfather a century ago — has accused him of stealing possibly millions of dollars. State police are investigating.

Who is the San Diego County District Attorney?

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan at a news conference in April 2019.

Who opposed the criminal justice reform bill?

Numerous criminal justice reform organizations opposed the bill, sponsored by Sen. Brian Jones of Santee, partly on the grounds it could be used to target people of color in some neighborhoods as they canvass door-to-door or are conducting other legitimate business. The bill was defeated in the committee.

What bill did Stephan oppose?

The other bill Stephan opposed would make people convicted of some attempted murder charges or manslaughter under the felony murder rule eligible for resentencing. That bill passed and is on the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

What is the smart on crime reform?

As she heads into a campaign for her second term, Stephan is carving out a profile of what she calls “smart on crime reform” — adopting some but not all measures that match the push from reformers to turn away from mass incarceration, promote interventions that can rehabilitate offenders, and programs that get at the root causes of crimes.

When was Stephan appointed DA?

Stephan was appointed DA by the Board of Supervisors in 2017 , after former DA Bonnie Dumanis resigned before her term ended. Dumanis wanted Stephan to succeed her and helped engineer her appointment through the board.

Where has Stephan fought?

While those and other steps she has taken align with the some goals of the reform movement, Stephan has fought others, in Sacramento and in court.

Does Stephan worry about where she fits in?

Stephan said she does not worry about where she fits in.