Law

In $1.9M Scheme, 1 Ex-Bank Exec. Guilty, 1 Acquitted

Former Pinehurst Bank President John Markert was found guilty on five counts of misapplication of bank funds. Gregory Pederson, the bank's former chief credit officer and senior vice president, was acquitted of each count that he faced.

Supreme Court Sides with Mayo in Patent Battle

The court determined that Prometheus' blood test involved naturally occurring phenomena, and its patents are therefore invalid; the ruling is expected to have broad implications in the scientific community.

3M Files Counterclaim Against Met Council Over Pollution

The state and the Metropolitan Council sued 3M, alleging that chemicals manufactured by the company have caused environmental damage-and 3M has filed a counterclaim, which argues that the Met Council dumps chemicals into the river from its seven waste treatment plants.

Mosaic Settles Potash Dispute, Cancels Trial

Plymouth-based Mosaic reached an out-of-court settlement with Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan; under the terms of the agreement, Mosaic's contract to supply the company with potash will expire at the end of 2012.

Michele Bachmann Targeted in Petters-Related Clawback Suit

A new clawback lawsuit is seeking more than $27,000 in funds that were allegedly transferred to Michele Bachmann and her political committees between 2005 and 2008 by Frank Vennes, who faces securities fraud charges related to Tom Petters' Ponzi scheme.

MN Banks Benefit in Outcome of Boy-Band Fraudster Case

A federal jury in Minneapolis reportedly awarded $16 million to 26 banks that had loaned funds to a businessman behind famous "boy bands," like the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, who is now serving time for his role in a Ponzi scheme.

30 Former Petters Associates Agree to Repay $8.5M

Thirty former associates of Tom Petters have reportedly agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle "clawback" lawsuits that are attempting to recover funds for victims of the Ponzi scheme; meanwhile, attempts to reach a deal with more than 10 other employees failed.
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