Lying to get you drunk isn’t fraud

What could be more fun in mid-July than an appellate court case featuring beautiful Eastern European women who lured pure and innocent American businessmen into private bars where they ran up tabs in the tens of thousands of dollars? There's no rule that says judges can't have fun, especially in the judicial summer silly season and the court certainly tried to be funny in describing the situation. But there was also a serious legal issue in play, one that should matter to everyone who sells anything for a living: it's not fraud if you tricked the customer into the transaction, but then gave him exactly what you promised at precisely the price you told him he would pay.

Appeals court hears case over kosher food in Florida prisons

The state of Florida asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to allow it to discontinue a kosher meals program for thousands of religiously observant prison inmates in the event that chronic budget problems worsen and other costs take priority. An attorney representing the Florida Department of Corrections told a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the estimated $12.3 million additional cost of kosher meals could become prohibitive if other budget needs arise.

Appeals court upholds decision on sewers

The 11th District Court of Appeals has upheld a Trumbull County magistrate's 2013 ruling against county officials that absolved 10 Mineral Ridge residents of paying the cost of sewer line extensions serving their neighborhood. In a ruling filed June 30, the appellate court unanimously agreed with the decision of Magistrate Beth Anne Aurillo, who ruled almost three years ago that property owners in Mineral Ridge and Vienna were not required to pay for sewer tap-ins because they were not properly notified of costs.