Court Suppresses Email Evidence in Bear Sterns Case By Stuart K. Tubis – Edited by Jad Mills U.S. v. Cioffi, et al., Case No. 08-CR-415 (FB) (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 26, 2009) Slip Opinion (hosted by WSJ) The Eastern District of New York granted defendant Matthew Tannin’s motion to suppress evidence obtained from his personal Gmail account. Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin were charged with conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud in connection with their roles as Bear Sterns hedge fund managers. ... Read More...

Ninth Circuit Adopts National Obscenity Standard in Adult Website Spam Case By Ian B. Brooks – Edited by Alissa Del Riego United States v. Kilbride, No. 07-10528 (9th Cir. Oct. 28, 2009) Opinion The Ninth Circuit has affirmed the District Court for the District of Arizona, which had convicted and sentenced defendants Jeffery Kilbride and James Schaffer of transporting obscene materials for sale. The Ninth Circuit held that a national community standard “must be applied in regulating obscene speech on ... Read More...

Class action claim against Zicam manufacturer Matrixx reinstated by the Ninth Circuit By Abby Lauer – Edited by Alissa Del Riego Siracusano v. Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., No. 06-15677 (9th Cir. Oct. 28, 2009) Opinion The Ninth Circuit has unanimously reversed the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona’s holding, which had dismissed a class action claim against Zicam manufacturer Matrixx for the complaint’s failure to adequately allege a violation of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). ... Read More...