Holly Barker

Washington, D.C., United States

Senior Legal Reporter at Bloomberg Law

Texan, lawyer, live music enthusiast, and senior legal reporter @BLaw | she/badass/her | formerly @arnoldporter @morganlewislaw (https://t.co/rJ3mBHIzBP)

Articles

Woman Who Lied for VA Survivor Benefits Sentenced to Two Months

4 days ago | news.bloombergtax.com | Holly Barker

A Georgia woman was sentenced to two months in prison for lying about still being married to her ex-husband, a veteran who died by suicide, in order to obtain survivor benefits. Judge Lisa Godbey Wood sentenced Miranda Briggs in the US District Court for the Southern District of Georgia on Monday. The two-month prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. Briggs must also pay around $129,000 in restitution, according to the sentencing minutes.
Woman Who Lied for VA Survivor Benefits Sentenced to Two Months

4 days ago | news.bloomberglaw.com | Holly Barker

June 3, 2025, 5:01 PM UTC Holly Barker Legal Reporter The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seal hangs on the facade at the headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, May 10, 2013.
Class Claims Fraudster Gets Appeals Court to Rethink Restitution

4 days ago | news.bloombergtax.com | Holly Barker

Alpha Plus Portfolio Recovery co-founder Joseph Cammarata—convicted of a scheme to submit false claims in securities class action settlements—persuaded the Third Circuit to reconsider its February ruling that was poised to increase the $31.2 million he owes his victims, according to a Tuesday filing.
Class Claims Fraudster Gets Appeals Court to Rethink Restitution

4 days ago | news.bloomberglaw.com | Holly Barker

Appeals court instructed lower court to raise restitution Government hadn’t appealed restitution issue, defendant saysAlpha Plus Portfolio Recovery co-founder Joseph Cammarata—convicted of a scheme to submit false claims in securities class action settlements—persuaded the Third Circuit to reconsider its February ruling that was poised to increase the $31.2 million he owes his victims, according to a Tuesday filing.
Trump’s Focus on Medicare Advantage Fraud Poses Enforcement Test

4 days ago | news.bloomberglaw.com | Holly Barker

Prosecutors often rely on whistleblowers, self-disclosureTime, complexity of cases, DOJ turnover create challengesThe Trump administration has vowed to ferret out Medicare Advantage fraud, but keeping that promise will mean overcoming challenges that have stymied Justice Department investigations for years. Two upcoming cases will give the administration the chance to flex its criminal prosecution muscle: a potential new probe into UnitedHealth Group Inc.
Sweepstakes Scammers Convictions Hold, Despite Advice of Counsel

4 days ago | news.bloomberglaw.com | Holly Barker

Proof of advice of counsel doesn’t alone negate intentRecord, opinion to be forwarded to disciplinary authoritiesTwo men convicted of mail and wire fraud in connection with a sweepstakes mailing scheme lost their Second Circuit appeals challenging the sufficiency of the government’s evidence. There was evidence that indicated that Gary Denkberg and Sean Novis relied on advice of counsel.
Sweepstakes Scammers Convictions Hold, Despite Advice of Counsel

4 days ago | news.bloombergtax.com | Holly Barker

Two men convicted of mail and wire fraud in connection with a sweepstakes mailing scheme lost their Second Circuit appeals challenging the sufficiency of the government’s evidence. There was evidence that indicated that Gary Denkberg and Sean Novis relied on advice of counsel. Even so, a jury could have “easily found” that they had fraudulent intent, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said Monday.
SCOTUS Declines to Hear Former Fox Business School Dean’s Appeal

5 days ago | news.bloomberglaw.com | Holly Barker

Former administrator accused of falsifying US News responsesJustices recently held that economic harm not needed for fraudThe US Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a case asking whether a misrepresentation that induces an otherwise fair commercial exchange can give rise to liability under the federal mail and wire fraud statutes. Petitioner Moshe Porat, formerly the dean of Fox Business School at Temple University, was found guilty of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy in November 2021.
SCOTUS Declines to Hear Former Fox Business School Dean’s Appeal

5 days ago | news.bloombergtax.com | Holly Barker

The US Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a case asking whether a misrepresentation that induces an otherwise fair commercial exchange can give rise to liability under the federal mail and wire fraud statutes. Petitioner Moshe Porat, formerly the dean of Fox Business School at Temple University, was found guilty of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy in November 2021.
Heavy Equipment Seller’s Iran Embargo Convictions Hold on Appeal

1 week ago | news.bloomberglaw.com | Holly Barker

May 30, 2025, 5:29 PM UTC Holly Barker Legal Reporter An Iranian woman without a mandatory Hijab sits in Bam-e Tehran (Roof of Tehran) overlooking the city of Tehran, on June 30, 2024.