National Roundup

Indiana Lawsuit: Ex-exec defrauded groce ry chain of millions INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Attorneys for Marsh Supermarkets say the grocery chain's former president defrauded the company of millions of dollars, using it as his "personal piggy bank" to fund extramarital relationships. The Indianapolis Star reports that a federal lawsuit filed Thursday in Indianapolis accuses Don Marsh of fraud and breach of contract over personal expenses it says were wrongfully paid for him. Previous filings accused the 73-year-old Marsh of spending on lavish trips, but the new brief alleges he used the company plane and money for extramarital relationships with several women. Don Marsh's lead attorney called the suit an attempt to tarnish his client's reputation and said Marsh would not comment. A Marsh Supermarkets spokesman says the chain of about 100 stores in Indiana and Ohio has tried unsuccessfully to settle with Marsh. Arizona Ruling restricts warrantless 'protective sweeps' PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Supreme Court says police officers without search warrants cannot conduct so-called "protective sweeps" of premises for officer safety without some legal foundation. The court says a sweep of an apartment where marijuana was found was legally invalid under the Constitution's Fourth Amendment. The court says that a man sought for questioning in an assault case was outside the apartment before police went inside. And there was no indication that anyone else or a weapon was inside. According to the court, a protective sweep cannot be based on mere speculation or what the ruing calls "the general risk inherent in police work." Montana Man sues, says he did not get proper care in jail BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- A 52-year-old Billings man says he was denied proper medical care after he contracted a painful staph infection while at the Yellowstone County jail. KULR-TV reports Ronald Wiley filed a complaint in federal court Thursday alleging that jailers and officials at the Montana State Prison ignored his pleas for medical attention. Wiley claims he contracted MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, while in jail. His complaint says he believes he was given no more than athlete's foot cream because he was in the process of being extradited to Oregon. He says he received treatment after becoming delirious and spent nearly two weeks in a Washington hospital. Wiley is in a California federal prison on gun charges. State prison officials declined comment and jail officials did not return KULR's calls seeking comment. Pennsylvania Fourth Erie social worker settles furlough lawsuit ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- A fourth woman who was furloughed from a supervisory position at the Erie County Office of Children and Youth has settled a federal gender bias lawsuit for $55,000. Elizabeth Emling was hired in 1980 and was an administrator over intensive services and quality assurance when she was furloughed along with five other female supersvisors in November 2006. County officials argued the furloughs were needed to improve services in the wake of the 2004 death of Brittany Legler, a mentally disabled 15-year-old beaten by her adoptive mother. The Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission found the reorganization was justified, but that the furloughed employees should have been allowed to stay on as caseworkers. Three other women who sued claiming they were targeted due to gender bias settled for a total of $100,000 in February. Kansas Mom sues after son doesn't make band DERBY, Kan. (AP) -- A woman who was sued by the state for practicing law without a license is suing the Derby school district because her son was cut from the marching band. Joan Heffington says in a lawsuit filed this week that the district did not accommodate her 17-year-old son's special needs, denying his right to an education. The Wichita Eagle reports that Derby superintendent Craig Wilford and band director Adam DeVault are also named in the lawsuit. A school district attorney says the district just received the lawsuit and is reviewing it. Last year, the Kansas Attorney General's office sued Heffington, claiming she provided legal advice in exchange for donations. She ran for governor in last year's primary. Arizona Hearing set for discipline case against ex-county attorney PHOENIX (AP) -- The attorney-discipline case against former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and two of his former deputies will be heard in September and October. Presiding Disciplinary Judge William O'Neil didn't set a specific date for the start of the hearing, but told attorneys in the case to be prepared to go forward with the hearing during those months. Thomas is accused of basing a lawsuit and criminal investigations of county officials on his animosity toward them. Thomas says he was trying to root out corruption. If Thomas is found to have violated the professional rules of conduct, he could face a wide range of punishments, including an informal reprimand, censure, suspension or disbarment. Oklahoma Trial of Okla. warden's wife to wrap up first week MANGUM, Okla. (AP) -- Jury selection continues in Greer County District Court for the trial of a former warden's wife who prosecutors say fell in love with a convicted killer and helped him escape prison. Prosecutors and defense attorneys say they don't expect to complete jury selection this week in the trial of Bobbi Parker. Attorneys say they're looking for 12 jurors who haven't been swayed by pretrial publicity in Parker's case. Parker has pleaded not guilty to helping Randolph Dial escape the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued at a Texas chicken ranch in 2005. Dial maintained until his 2007 death that he kidnapped Parker. Prosecutors say Parker fell in love with the inmate and helped him. Published: Mon, May 23, 2011