Legal

Core Summary A U.S. federal appeals court ruled on Friday that Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, failed to overturn his 25-year prison sentence. A three-judge panel unanimously concluded that the original trial was fair and that the defendant did not demonstrate any procedural impropriety. Event Details According to CoinDesk, Bankman-Fried’s legal team had appealed on multiple grounds, alleging bias in evidence admission and jury instructions. The appeals court rejected each argument, finding that the trial judge’s handling of evidence complied with federal rules and that jury instructions accurately reflected legal standards. ...

[Summary] Several companies have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the Wang Fuk Court fire in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, which killed 168 people last year. The incident, described as Hong Kong’s deadliest building fire in 70 years, has sparked deep reflection on building safety management in the city. The Incident According to BBC reports, the Wang Fuk Court fire occurred last year in Mong Kok and was the most severe building safety incident in Hong Kong in seven decades, claiming 168 lives. Multiple companies involved in building management and fire safety have now been formally charged with manslaughter. ...

A federal judge has reopened Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS.

Trump faces two significant legal rulings. According to Axios, a judge has ordered that his name must be removed from the Kennedy Center. Separately, another court has temporarily blocked payouts from Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement, which had drawn widespread controversy. Both rulings reflect ongoing legal challenges for Trump. Analysts suggest these decisions could further impact his political standing.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration’s ’lawfare’ fund after Jan. 6 prosecutor files lawsuit.

[Flash] Judge Declares Another Mistrial in Harvey Weinstein New York Rape Case A New York judge has declared another mistrial in the rape case against Harvey Weinstein. This marks yet another significant procedural setback in a case that has been a focal point of the American justice system and public attention since the #MeToo movement. The mistrial will further extend the already lengthy legal proceedings.

South Carolina’s Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions on May 13, ordering a new trial. Murdaugh was convicted in 2023 of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul, a case that captivated national attention. The court’s ruling centered on evidentiary disputes. Murdaugh was once a prominent South Carolina attorney before facing numerous financial fraud and insurance scam charges. Prosecutors said they will respond to the retrial order, but no date has been set for the new trial. ...

Meta has filed a High Court challenge against the UK communications regulator Ofcom over its fee structure. Meta argues that Ofcom’s charges are unreasonable and may constitute an unfair burden on technology companies. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the financial framework of UK tech regulation.

A group of AI agents has autonomously formed a commercial company, marking a landmark case in AI autonomous operation, according to CoinDesk’s “The Protocol” column. The AI-operated company is managed entirely by artificial intelligence systems for daily decision-making, from contract signing to business development. The move has sparked wide discussion about the boundaries of AI autonomy. Legal experts note that AI agents currently lack legal personhood, and the company’s legal liability still rests with its creators or operators. However, this case provides an important reference for future AI autonomous business models. ...

The man accused of starting the Palisades fire was described as angry and driving erratically before the incident began, according to details released by his attorneys. Investigators continue to gather evidence as the community seeks answers.