Lexington Criminal Defense And Family Law Blog

A case of wire fraud or defamation?

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in white collar crimes on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

A company involved in helping schools acquire and maintain technology is under fire for possibly having misappropriated funds. Two employees of the company have been charged with wire fraud. The two work for a Kentucky business that helps schools and libraries to obtain the funds needed to purchase internet access and other telecommunication services.

One man allegedly benefited from proceeds from the program. The charges allege that money went from the program into his personal accounts beginning in 2000 and continuing through 2014. The charges also include allegations of using financial incentives and gifts to steer business toward the accused. The business in question no longer exists.

Employment handbooks should address reasonable accommodation

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in employment law on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

As employers, Kentucky companies must adhere to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes providing reasonable accommodations to an employee with a disability. How the companies plan to do so should be included in their employment handbooks.

Knowing this and doing it may not be the same thing, however. The policies and procedures in those handbooks need to outline that people with disabilities have the same opportunities when it comes to applying for a job, being hired for a job, being promoted in a job and more. Employees with disabilities have the same access to benefits and privileges as everyone else and are not subject to discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.

Money laundering may be an offshoot of the drug crisis

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in white collar crimes on Monday, January 14, 2019.

The opioid drug crisis continues to plague Kentucky. In addition to the addiction crisis that continues to be fed by the influx of illegal drugs, other crimes associated with illegal drugs are becoming prevalent. These crimes include money laundering.

A recent money laundering indictment accused two people of laundering nearly $400,000 in cash that had allegedly stemmed from drug sales. The couple, a man and wife, have been on the criminal justice system's radar since 2017. The husband was then charged with drug trafficking following a raid on the couple's home. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency claims they received information showing the wife was continuing to launder money.

5 simple mistakes that can ruin high-net-worth divorces

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

If you and your spouse are facing a high-net-worth divorce, you may be dreading what could be a long, drawn-out process. You may be willing to do anything just to get the divorce behind you.

Even if time is an issue, you should proceed carefully. Take a deep breath, keep your head and do not make errors due to haste. Here are five mistakes you should avoid in your divorce.

Couple charged with trafficking in meth

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in white collar crimes on Monday, January 7, 2019.

The drug crisis is nothing new. Appalachia, like most of the rest of the country, has its share of problems with drug trafficking and drug use. A couple from Bell County in Kentucky were recently arrested and charged with drug trafficking. A quantity of meth was among the drugs reportedly found when the couple were arrested.

The arrest came after a joint investigation conducted by the Appalachia Narcotics division and the Bell County Sheriff's Office. The investigation was carried out over a period of several months. During this time several drug purchases were allegedly made between investigators and the suspects.

Wire fraud accusation can lead to a need for criminal defense

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in white collar crimes on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Life insurance is considered a necessity by most American families and is also provided to employees by many companies. Agents are licensed to sell policies and provide the services associated with those policies in Kentucky. Agents are trusted to abide by the regulations governing the insurance industry. Failure to abide by those regulations can result in charges for wire fraud.

In a recent case in Frankfort, an agent is accused of redirecting funds from customer accounts to his personal bank account. The amount allegedly embezzled from customer funds was more than $258,000. An additional $248,000 was allegedly taken from a client's bank account and deposited to the agent's personal account.

Drug crimes do not negate presumption of innocence

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in drug crimes on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.

The drug crisis plaguing Kentucky and the nation is unquestionably a health crisis that needs to be handled. Too many people are dying needlessly. While the laws are there to penalize the guilty, they are also there to protect the innocent. Anyone charged with drug crimes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

A recent case involves a man from Clarksville who is a doctor and also serves as a pastor. The doctor was arrested and charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises. He faces 22 counts of improper distribution of a controlled substance. The doctor allegedly prescribed oxycodone, a powerful opioid, to patients without examining them first.

In fight to stop the flow of fentanyl, rights must be upheld

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in drug crimes on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

The drug crisis in Kentucky continues to be a devastating problem as the citizens of the state continue to succumb to overdoses and the flow of drugs into the state does not appear to be diminishing. A recent case in Lexington saw a man convicted and sentenced for having conspired to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and also for money laundering. What must not be forgotten is that anyone facing charges is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law, and every accused person has a right to a criminal defense.

A man from Lexington was convicted on conspiracy to distribute drugs. He reportedly admitted to being responsible for bringing large quantities of illegal drugs to Kentucky from the southwestern part of the United States. He allegedly admitted to working with others to make this happen. The drugs brought in included cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. In addition to the drugs, a large amount of cash was reportedly seized, which led to charges of money laundering.

How "fair" distribution may affect your divorce

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

In general, going through a divorce can be a trying time. When couples face divorce with a high level of assets, it may compound the process.

It is important that parties grasp the key aspects of divorce procedures, and the distribution of assets is one of the most important ones. There are a few key things to understand about the equitable or fair distribution process Kentucky courts utilize.

Medicare and Medicaid fraud can be harmful to one's health

On behalf of Green Chesnut & Hughes PLLC posted in white collar crimes on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Heart disease is a significant killer in men and women in Kentucky and around the country. Hearing that one may have heart disease can be a terrifying diagnosis. When the diagnosis turns out to be false, and procedures that were carried out were unnecessary, lawsuits may be the result. Such is the situation in a Medicare and Medicaid fraud case involving a Kentucky doctor.

A doctor who practiced at St. Joseph Hospital in London has been convicted of multiple incidents of fraud. The charges involve procedures on dozens of patients he treated between the years 2007 – 2011. Over that period, he implanted unneeded pacemaker devices and billed Medicare and Medicaid for the procedures.