United States of America v. Jessica Joyce Spayd

Anchorage, Alaska social security disability lawyer represented Plaintiff seeking review of the denial of his application for social security disability benefits by HHS.

On June 9, 2016, plaintiff filed an application for benefits under Title II, alleging that he became disabled on May 12, 2015. Plaintiff alleges that he is disabled due to PTSD, ankle problems, and hearing loss. Plaintiff... More...    $0 (09-18-2023 - AK)

Anchorage, Alaska criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with r illegally prescribing and dispensing opioids outside the scope of legitimate medical practice that resulted in the deaths of five people between 2014 and 2019.

A jury convicted Jessica Joyce Spayd, age 52, on October 27, 2022, of 10 crimes including five counts of illegal drug distribution that resulted in de... More...    $0 (06-28-2023 - AK)

Anchorage, Alaska personal injury lawyers represented Plaintiffs, who sued Defendants on wrongful death negligence theories claiming to have suffered more than $75,000 in damages and/or injuries as a direct result of the failure on the part of the Defendants to exercise due case in the maintenance and operation of an airplane that crashed killing James E. Specter, M.D.

Doctor Specter was ... More...    $0 (02-08-2022 - AK)

Anchorage, Alaska criminal law lawyers represented Defendant changed with first-degree murder.

        We consolidated these two cases to resolve the following question: What is the effect of the death of a criminal defendant while an appeal is pending? John Carlin III was convicted of first-degree murder. He appealed his conviction to the court of appeals and died before the open... More...    $0 (03-25-2011 - AK)

Anchorage, Alaska - Armed robbery criminal defense lawyer charged with bank rubbery and discharging a firearm during separate violent crimes on June 1, 2019, and June 15, 2019.

As part of a plea agreement, Kek Nyathor Bol, age 22, admitted to entering a Cash America store on Gambell Street in Anchorage on June 1, 2019, with a Glock pistol. He fired a shot into the ceiling, threatened to ... More...    $0 (11-19-2020 - AK)

We must decide whether an Alaska law regulating campaign contributions violates the First Amendment. At issue are Alaska’s limit on contributions made by individuals to candidates, its limit on contributions made by individuals to election-related groups, its limit on political party-to-candidate contributions, and its limit on the total funds a candidate may receive from out-of-state residents. T... More...    $0 (11-29-2018 - AK)

Anchorage, AK - Hackers’ Cooperation with FBI Leads to Substantial Assistance in Other Complex Cybercrime Investigations

Defendants Responsible for Creating the “Mirai” and Clickfraud Botnets Continue to Assist FBI as Part of their Sentencing

Three defendants have been sentenced for their roles in creating and operating two botnets, which targeted “Internet of Things” (IoT) devic... More...    $0 (09-19-2018 - AK)

Wells’ convictions arise out of the deaths of Richard W. Belisle and James A. Hopkins, federal employees and Wells’ co-workers at the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) antenna maintenance facility, located at the USCG Communication Station (“COMMSTA”) on Kodiak Island, Alaska. COMMSTA consists of two main buildings: a large operations center, known as T1; and the antenna maintenance facility, or ... More...    $0 (12-21-2017 - AK)

Defendant-Appellant James Michael Wells (“Wells”) appeals from his jury trial convictions for two counts of First Degree Murder, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1111(a), (b); two counts of Murder of a Federal Employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1111; and two counts of Use of a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924 (c), (j). Wells was se... More...    $0 (12-20-2017 - AK)

Anchorage, AK - Husband and Wife Convicted of Wire Fraud for Faking Burglary

Arnold Wesley Flowers, II, and his wife, Miranda May Flowers, were found guilty by a jury of 12 counts of wire fraud as part of their scheme to defraud State Farm Insurance.

Arnold Wesley Flowers, II, age 41, and Miranda May Flowers, age 31, both of Anchorage, were tried before U.S. District Judge Sharo... More...    $0 (12-16-2016 - AK)

Anchorage, AK - Tennessee Corporation and Employees Sentenced for Bribery

Herschell Becker, John Becker a/k/a Jack Becker, and ADA Station Communication, Inc. were sentenced for bribing a public official.

Herschell Becker, 49, of Grandview, Tennessee, was sentenced to four years in prison, three years supervised release, and ordered to pay a fine of $150,000. Jack Becker, 54, ... More...    $0 (09-25-2016 - AK)

Fairbanks, AK - Army Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy in Afghanistan Bribery Scheme

A Fort Wainwright Army sergeant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive bribes and defraud the United States in connection with a scheme to steal fuel at a forward operating base (FOB) in Afghanistan.

Sheldon J. Morgan, 36, pleaded guilty in Fairbanks, Alaska, before U.S. District Judge Ralph... More...    $0 (07-08-2016 - AK)

Challenged in this case are land and water use permits allowing intensive
mineral exploration on State land. The main question we address is whether the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had to give public notice before issuing the
permits. Because the Alaska Constitution requires public notice when interests in land
are transferred, the answer to this question depends on wheth... More...    $0 (05-29-2015 - AK)

State of Alaska charged Richard Corum with conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs, Oxycontin, from 2007 to 2011 netting millions to the conspirators.

Alaska Law:

Sec. 11.31.120. Conspiracy. (a) An offender commits the crime of conspiracy if, with the intent to promote or facilitate a serious felony offense, the offender agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause th... More...    $0 (07-04-2013 - AK)

Several state law questions arise in this appeal, and three federal law questions, whether expert testimony should have been excluded under Daubert1, whether disallowance of a

ALASKA RENT-A-CAR V. AVIS BUDGET GROUP 5

2 Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986).

3 Alaska Civil Procedure Rule 82.

4 “We recount the relevant facts in the manner most favorable to the ... More...    $0 (06-21-2013 - AK)

A woman purchased a home and fell behind on her mortgage payments.
Despite the bank having agreed to postpone a foreclosure sale, the bank proceeded with
the sale. After the woman threatened suit, the bank re-purchased the home and entered
into settlement negotiations with the woman; the bank promised to re-convey the property to the woman so that she could proceed with a sale to a thi... More...    $0 (05-17-2013 - AK)

A motorcyclist was involved in a single-vehicle accident resulting in a cut
on his head and minor damage to his motorcycle. The accident involved no other
drivers, vehicles, or property. Because the motorcycle was not insured at the time of the accident, the State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspended the driver’s license. The motorcyclist ap... More...    $0 (04-12-2013 - AK)

Fredrick Williams appeals the superior court’s decision affirming the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s ruling that the house at 511 Stedman Street is not exempt from Ketchikan Gateway Borough taxation. In March 2002 Williams received a grant to rebuild his house from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Housing Improvement Program. Under the grant, Williams would have been required to repay the full amount... More...    $0 (02-15-2013 - AK)

Simone Greenway sued Larry Heathcott alleging, among other things, identity theft and breach of domestic partnership and fiduciary duties. After a long, one-day bench trial at which both parties were pro se, the superior court denied Greenway’s claims. She argues here that it was error not to continue the trial so a particular lawyer could represent her when he became available, so she could com... More...    $0 (02-15-2013 - AK)

A healthcare worker was sprayed in the eye with fluids from an HIV-positive patient. She received preventive treatment and counseling. Her employer initially paid workers’ compensation benefits; it later filed a controversion based on its doctor’s opinion that the employee was able to return to work. The employee asked for more benefits, but the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board denied her ... More...    $0 (07-20-2012 - AK)

Two nieces, acting as co-guardians for their elderly uncle, sued their uncle’s
former caregiver for misuse and misappropriation of his assets; the caregiver
counterclaimed for compensation for services rendered. After a bench trial, the superior
court: (1) determined the caregiver had committed fraud and breached fiduciary duties;
(2) awarded damages against the caregiver for her... More...    $0 (07-20-2012 - AK)

M.P., through his parents, appeals the district court’s ruling that the Anchorage School District (“ASDâ€�) did not deny M.P. a free and appropriate public education (“FAPEâ€�) because the failure to develop an updated Individualized Education Program (“IEPâ€�) was mostly attributable to his “parents’ litigious approach.â€� The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEAâ€�) m... More...    $0 (07-20-2012 - AK)

1. Alaska’s probate nonclaim statute, AS 13.16.460, provides that claims against an estate arising before the decedent’s death are barred unless presented: (1) within four months of the first publication of notice to creditors; (2) within three years of death if no notice to creditors is published; or (3) within limits specified by other applicable statutes of limitations.1 The statute also ba... More...    $0 (05-25-2012 - AK)

This case concerns the ownership of James “Jimâ€� and Terrie Gottstein’s former marital home. Jim paid for the property, but Terrie’s name alone was on the deed. The Gottsteins lived in the home for 15 years before moving out; they later separated. Terrie entered into a deal to sell the property to another couple, the Krafts, for significantly less than its appraised value, and Jim objected.... More...    $0 (04-13-2012 - AK)

Parents challenged a school district’s actions regarding their child’s educational program under the Individuals with Disabilities E ducation Act (IDEA). A hearing officer found an IDEA violation but awarded less compensatory education services for the child than the parents requested. On appeal, the superior court affirmed the IDEA violation finding and the compensatory education award. The p... More...    $0 (12-09-2011 - AK)

The Federal Employee Compensation Act, or FECA, provides disability benefits to federal employees who are injured on the job. But there’s a catch. If a third party is responsible for the employee’s injury, the Secretary of Labor can require the employee to bring a civil action against that third party.

And if the employee obtains a judgment, he must refund to the United States any FECA ... More...    $0 (11-17-2011 - AK)

At issue in this case are the coverage limits associated with underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance and whether coverage provided under disputed insurance policies complies with the requirements of Alaska insurance statutes. The respondent families hold UIM policies. They allege that they have suffered emotional distress and loss of consortium as a result of a collision that killed one family’s ... More...    $0 (08-26-2011 - AK)

In 2002, the superior court appointed a professional conservator for a mother suffering from dementia. Her daughter, who also served as special advocate, resisted the appointment. From 2002 onward, the daughter engaged in wide-ranging legal challenges to the conservator’s handling of her mother’s conservatorship. In response, the conservator incurred large legal fees, paid by the estate, in de... More...    $0 (08-19-2011 - AK)

Habib Azimi was involved in a car accident and subsequently brought a pro se personal injury suit against the other driver, David Johns. At a pretrial conference, Azimi requested a continuance on medical grounds. The superior court denied the request, finding no evidence that Azimi was unable to participate at trial.

Johns subsequently filed a motion for partial summary judgment on Azimi’... More...    $0 (05-27-2011 - AK)

An employee filed suit against her employer for wrongful termination after her union refused to take her grievance to arbitration under the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Relevant federal law required the employee to prove as part of her wrongful termination claim that her union had breached its duty of fair representation when handling her grievance.1 During trial the employer twice ... More...    $0 (04-15-2011 - AK)

Evelyn Rivera twice injured her back while working at Wal-Mart. After initially paying workers’ compensation benefits to her, Wal-Mart filed a controversion because its physician thought that she had suffered only a temporary aggravation of a preexisting low back condition that should have healed by the date of controversion.

After a hearing, the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board denie... More...    $0 (02-11-2011 - AK)

A driver appeals the 90-day suspension of her driver’s license two and a half years after her arrest for drunk driving. The delay was almost entirely due to the fact that the officer who arrested her was deployed to Iraq with the military shortly after her arrest, and the suspension hearing was continued until the state learned of his return. The driver challenges the suspension on constitutiona... More...    $0 (03-18-2011 - AK)

In this petition for review, we address whether an arbitrator should decide two disputed insurance coverage issues.   This matter arises in the context of an insurance policy's arbitration clause that provides for arbitration by written request of the insured or the insurer as to either of two questions:  (1) “Is the insured legally entitled to collect damages from the owner or driver of the... More...    $0 (04-22-2005 - AK)

A landlord sought re-possession of her condominium from a tenant. The tenant asserted he had an enforceable right to purchase the residence based on an option in his lease (the option right). After a superior court bench trial at which the tenant appeared pro se, the court ruled in favor of the landlord. The tenant appeals, arguing that the trial court erred by: (1) refusing to postpone trial to a... More...    $0 (08-13-2010 - AK)

A consumer brought a putative class action lawsuit against an automobile dealership more than two years after he purchased a vehicle, alleging the dealership charged a document preparation fee not included in the vehicle’s advertised price in violation of Alaska’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (UTPA). The dealership moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing that the two-year... More...    $0 (08-13-2010 - AK)

Terry Smith injured his back while working for CSK Auto, Inc. (CSK) and brought a workers’ compensation claim. CSK arranged for Dr. Patrick Radecki to perform an independent medical examination to assess Smith’s condition. Dr. Radecki examined Smith and reported that he had no physical injury resulting from the incident. But Smith later underwent an MRI which revealed several spinal problems, ... More...    $0 (08-27-2010 - AK)

Deborah Dash brought a medical malpractice claim against Dr. Grant Roderer based on a procedure he performed to relieve her back pain. A jury awarded Dash roughly $1.4 million in compensatory damages. The superior court awarded Dash costs under Alaska Civil Rule 79 and attorney’s fees under Alaska Civil Rule 68. Dr. Roderer appeals from the denial of his motions to dismiss, for judgment notwiths... More...    $0 (07-02-2010 - AK)

On February 20, 2008, following an evidentiary hearing, the superior court calculated the future child support obligations that Allison Hill owed to Deborah Bloom. The court used a five-year average of Hill’s income from 2002 to 2006 to calculate child support for 2008 forward. The court rejected Hill’s argument that her substantially reduced 2007 income should be the basis of her future child... More...    $0 (07-09-2010 - AK)