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Attorney Who Stole Adderall Suspended, Another Reprimanded

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Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

A Terre Haute attorney who stole prescription drugs from a client’s girlfriend has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for at least a month and has been ordered to begin a Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program monitoring agreement.

From 2013 to 2016, attorney John H.N. Claussen continually mismanaged his lawyer trust account, commingling client and personal funds and making multiple transfers out of the account, which was overdrawn several times. Meanwhile, Claussen was hired to represent a client in a divorce and, as part of his representation, agreed to meet the client and the client’s girlfriend at their home.

When Claussen arrived at the home, he asked the girlfriend for her Adderall prescription, then took one of her pills without her permission. He then took the pill bottle and left the home, all before his client arrived.

As a result of his misconduct, Claussen and the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission agreed he violated five professional conduct rules, including:

  • Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15(a);
  • Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) and (c), and;
  • Indiana Admission and Discipline Rules (2016) 23(29)(a)(4) and (5).

The parties and the Indiana Supreme Court agreed to a 90-day suspension, with 30 days served and 60 days stayed subject to the completion of two years of probation, effective Sept. 6. Claussen must also adhere to several probation guidelines, including:

  • Executing and complying with a JLAP monitoring agreement;
  • Hiring a CPA to report to the commission quarterly;
  • Refraining from the use of mind-altering substances, except as prescribed;
  • Cooperating fully with the commission, and;
  • Promptly reporting any probation violations to the commission.

If Claussen violates any of the conditions of his probation, a published order handed down Thursday stipulates that the commission will petition to revoke his probation, which could lead to Claussen serving the balance of his 90-day suspension without automatic reinstatement. The probationary period has a two-year minimum, but the court said Claussen’s probation “shall remain in effect until it is terminated pursuant to a petition to terminate probation filed under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(16).”

The costs of the proceedings in the case of In the Matter of: John H.N. Claussen, Respondent, 84S00-1703-DI-122, were assessed against him.

Also on Thursday, the high court issued a public reprimand against Robert Cheesebourough in In the Matter of: Robert Cheesebourough, Respondent, 18S-DI-37. In that case, the Indianapolis attorney was hired to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for a client for a $650 flat fee.

Throughout the proceedings, Cheesebourough failed to attend a mandatory creditors’ meeting. The client’s debt was eventually discharged in May 2016, but Cheesebourough failed to address an issue with part of the client’s Social Security number being transposed on the petition before the estate was closed.

Next, the client paid Cheesebourough $200 to initiate a filing to avoid liens on the client’s home and rental property. Cheesebourough filed the motion, but then failed to submit an order to the bankruptcy court. He also failed to file a motion to avoid judicial lien against other creditors.

The bankruptcy court ordered the estate fully administered in October 2016, and when the client reached out to Cheesebourough for an update, he received no response. The client eventually hired new counsel and filed a grievance against Cheesebourough, who did not timely respond to the commission.

In the Thursday order, Cheesebourough and the commission agreed he violated Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4(a)(3) and 8.1(b). All parties and the Supreme Court agreed that a public reprimand was the appropriate discipline, and the costs of the proceedings are assessed against Cheesebourough.

“READERS FORUM” JULY 28, 2018

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We hope that today’s “Readers Forum” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

 WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel its time that the city pay some attention to West Franklin Street and Center City for future development?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us City-CountyObserver@live.com.

FOOTNOTE: City-County Observer Comment Policy.  Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.

We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

Secretary of State Candidate Visits Evansville

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Secretary of State Candidate Visits Evansville

 Indiana’s Democratic candidate for secretary of state makes a stop in Evansville. Jim Harper’s visit is part of his statewide press tour to raise awareness and address concerns about the state’s election security vulnerabilities. Harper also voiced his concerns about Indiana’s voter turnout and how he thinks it can be raised.

 

“There’s a couple step we can take to increase voter turnout. Making sure that we look at expanding our voting hours is important. Expanding voting by mail, making it easier for people to cast a ballot by mail if they wish, and the last thing that we need to look at is same-day voter registration,” says Harper.

Harper will also be making a stop in Lafayette, South Bend, ft. Wayne before wrapping up the tour in Indianapolis.

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Korean War Veteran Honors Fellow Soldiers 65 Years After Ceasefire

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Korean War Veteran Honors Fellow Soldiers 65 Years After Ceasefire

July 27th, 2018 marks the 65th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement putting an end to the war between North Korea and United Nations forces fighting with South Korea. The agreement returned troops home including Evansville native Jim Voelker who joined the military before the Christmas of 1952.

“When I was in Korea, it was cold and we had to keep warm by staying active,” says Voelker.

He says it wasn’t long before he was sent overseas. “I did my training at Fort Benning and wasn’t too long I had orders to go to Korea,” says Voelker.

During his time in the war, the Evansville man spent a lot of time above the war zone rather than on the ground. “I was a rigger. A rigger is a guy that packs parachutes and in Korea, we made many flights over North Korea dropping supplies to the troops below,” says Voelker.

While the majority of the fighting ended decades ago the tension between the countries remains high but following talks between U.S. leaders and the North Korean government the remains of 55 U.S. soldiers from the Korean War are finally back home.

Like many veterans, even though his time in active duty is over Voelker continues to serve his community.

“Well, I do a lot of military funerals that keeps us pretty busy,” says Voekler.

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WEARING OUT LONGEVITY’S WELCOME

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by Tom Purcell

Boy, are Americans getting old.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age – the age at which half of the population is older and half is younger – hit an all-time high of 38.0 in 2017.

Why is it rising? Because our massive baby-boom generation continues to go, geezer, while young moms and dads are having way fewer kids than American parents used to.

What’s more interesting is that the number of Americans who were 100 years or older also hit a record in 2017 – a number that is poised to explode.

According to the World Future Society, we are in the early phases of a super longevity revolution. Thanks to advances in nanotechnology and cell and gene manipulation, scientists may eventually learn how to keep humans alive for 120 to 500 years.

Though it’s great that Americans are living longer, I’m not sure I’d ever want to live THAT long.

Look, I’m 56, a tail-end baby boomer. If I was confident I’d be vibrant and healthy for another 44 years, I might finally get around to marrying and starting a family!

My parents are of the silent generation. They’re in their 80s. I’d love for them to live well beyond 100 so that I can enjoy their company at Sunday dinners for another 20 years or more.

But there are downsides to living so long.

Health-care costs are already out of control and the majority of that spending goes to the elderly. Such costs may become unmanageable as our median age keeps climbing.

If we live 100 years or more, how are we going to pay for it? The living is expensive. Are we going to work 50 years, retire, burn through our nest eggs, then spend 20 or 30 years greeting customers at Walmart?

And what of our younger generations, kids who are notorious slackers? Mother to son in the year 2075:

“You’re 100 years old! When are you going to move out and get a job?”

Four years shy of 60, I’m already showing signs of fatigue. I don’t know when it started, but, like my elderly father, I groan every time I slowly pull myself out of a chair.

Sure, the “primitive male” part of me thinks I could still handle myself if a bar brawl were to break out – but I’d have to do 30 minutes of jumping jacks before I could even think about participating.

Besides, in my experience, life is largely made up of colds, bills, speeding tickets and people who let you down. These experiences are connected together by a series of mundane tasks. The drudgeries are occasionally interrupted by a wonderful meal, a really good laugh or a romantic evening with a lovely lady.

Then the mundane stuff starts all over again.

I don’t think I want 500 years of that.

At 56, you see, it seems to me that the key to human happiness is not an abundance of a thing, but a lack of it.

Doesn’t pie taste better when we know it’s the last slice? Doesn’t a football game capture our attention more when it’s the last of the season – the one that determines who goes out the winner and who goes out the loser? Isn’t a comedian funnier when he exits the stage BEFORE we want him to go?

Besides, if I were to live to 500, I’d have to endure 111 more presidential elections – a punishment I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy!

Harlem Globetrotters Coming to Owensboro

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Harlem Globetrotters Coming to Owensboro

After entertaining numerous crowds overseas, the Harlem Globetrotters are returning to North America and bringing their one-of-a-kind show to Owensboro, Kentucky.

They’ll hit the court at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Thursday, December 6th at 7:00 PM.

The Globetrotters elite skills in basketball have earned them the title of Guinness World Record Holders. At their show though, it’s less of a game and more of an entertaining spectacle that people of all ages can enjoy.

A star-studded roster will be appearing in the December show and featuring showmen like Big Easy Lofton, Hi-Lite Bruton, Ant Atkinson, and Hammer Harrison. Fan favorites Firefly Fisher, Bull Bullard, Thunder Law and Cheese Chisholm will be on the court as well.

Globetrotters’ female stars will be in attendance as well. Players like TNT Lister, Hoops Green, Torch George, Swish Young, and Mighty Mortimer will be joining the tour that runs through 250 cities in North America.

Tickets go on sale August 6th at 10:00 AM and will start at $26. Click either here or here to purchase tickets.

For more information, visit the Harlem Globetrotters website.

 

Groups Demand Hill Withdraw From Suit Against ACA

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Katie Stancombe for www.theindianalawyer.com

A coalition of eight health care groups from across the state delivered letters and a signed petition to Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s office Friday, urging him to withdraw Indiana from a federal lawsuit they say aims to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

Under the ACA, insurance companies are unable to deny or drop coverage due to pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and cancer. Almost 3 million Hoosiers have pre-existing conditions.

Protect Our Care Indiana Spokeswoman Kate Shepherd said that those protections are critical for Hoosiers who face the potential loss of necessary medications and coverage provided under the ACA. Shepherd presented letters to the attorney general’s office from several organizations and concerned citizens in opposition of Indiana’s participation in the lawsuit.

Hill signed Indiana on to the Texas v. HHS lawsuit in February, joining 19 other states that seek to strike down the current ACA pre-existing protections.

“The AG said he is here to do the people’s business, and it’s business as usual,” Shepherd said. “Well, the people are here to say, we do not want Indiana to participate in a lawsuit that will cost Hoosiers their lives and their health.”

Shepherd was accompanied by Fran Quigley, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Health and Human Rights Clinic Director. The attorney and legal expert said he wanted to address Hill directly, lawyer to lawyer.

“Attorney General Hill, you made a promise to us. And you’re breaking that promise,” Quigley said. “You promised to protect our safety, but instead you are undermining our safety with this lawsuit. We call upon you to stop misusing the power of your office. Stop trying to sabotage our healthcare.”

Thyroid cancer survivor Jessica Hoag of Indianapolis wanted to make sure Hill really understood the consequences of removing protections from Hoosiers such as herself who rely on them for survival.

Hoag, 23, was diagnosed at age 17 and takes thyroid medication every day to prevent her cancer from returning.

“I need to take it every day or else I can’t function as a normal human,” she said. “I’m afraid that if I don’t have health insurance, then I will be left to the wolves. If I get cancer again, I don’t know if I can afford that. That’s a scary thought.”

Hoag said she’s afraid she’ll die if she can’t get her medicine, which currently remains covered under her parent’s insurance for the next three years. If the ACA is dismantled, however, she’s unsure how she’ll afford it.

“If I’m not able to use this medication, it will be horrible. It will be a very sad, slow death,” she said. “That’s the ultimate truth of it. If people can’t afford medication, what are you going to do?”

As the young woman handed off her letter of opposition to the attorney general’s office, she said she hopes Hill considers what he’s doing by joining the lawsuit.

“I hope Attorney General Curtis Hill really sits down and thinks about his humanity and thinks about what other people go through in their lives,” Hoag said. “Thank God that he is a healthy human being, works at the statehouse and can be able to easily afford medication. And not have to worry about these types of things that are life and death.”

The attorney general’s office said it has no comment at this time.

Two Ball Parks Deemed Must See’s in Southern Indiana

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Two Ball Parks Deemed Must See’s in Southern Indiana

Bosse Field in Evansville and League Stadium in Huntingburg are two of seven must-see ballparks in the Hoosier State.

The Indiana Office of tourism released an article saying that the two ballparks in southern Indiana should be seen by all baseball fans.

Both ballparks were noted for being featured in the film “A League of Their Own.” The article mentions Bosse Field’s history as the 3rd oldest ballpark in the country that’s still operational. League Stadium is noted for hosting hall of Famer Satchel Paige in the 1960’s.

Other parks included in the list are Victory Field, Four Winds Field, Parkview Field, U.S. Steel Yard, and Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

Click here to view the full article published by VisitIndiana.com.

 

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Two Judges On The Ballot in November

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By Seth Fleming
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—This year’s general election will give voters the chance to say yea or nay to two judges on the ballot.

Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Robert Altice Jr. and Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter are up for retention votes in November. In the last 46 years, the Indiana public has retained every Hoosier judge who has been up for a retention vote.

Altice, a former Marion Superior Court judge, was appointed to the Court of Appeals by then-Gov. Mike Pence and has been serving since September 2015.

His legal career began in Jackson County, Missouri, handling felony cases as a deputy prosecutor. He spent a few years in private practice before moving to Indianapolis and a position practicing insurance defense law for Wooden McLaughlin & Sterner.

In 1994, Altice became a deputy prosecutor in Marion County, focusing on felony cases. He became chief of the felony division in 1997. He was elected as a Marion Superior Court judge in 2000, hearing both criminal and civil cases, before his appointment to the appellate bench.

Altice attended Miami University of Ohio, earned a master’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, and obtained his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He is married with two adult children. His wife, Kris, is general counsel for Shiel Sexton.

Slaughter, also appointed by Pence, has been on the state’s highest court since 2016.  A native of northwest Indiana, Slaughter graduated from Indiana University with a degree in economics, earned an M.B.A. in finance from the Kelley School of Business and his law degree from IU’s Maurer School of Law.

 

Slaughter spent two years as a law clerk in South Bend to an Indiana federal court judge and the worked in private practice with the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis, concentrating on antitrust, appellate, and other complex business litigation.

From 1995 to 2001, he served as special counsel to the Attorney General of Indiana. At the time of his appointment to the Supreme Court, he was a partner with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in Indianapolis and litigated complex business disputes in both state and federal courts.

Slaughter participate in the “We the People” program which educates high school students about the constitution, the nation’s founding fathers, and individuals rights. He has been participating in “We the People” since 1996.

To provide voters with more information about Altice and Slaughter, the state has made available a biography, oral argument video and decisions or opinions of each judge on the retention ballot at https://www.in.gov/judiciary/5398.htm.

FOOTNOTE: Seth Fleming is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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Clerical Assistant
SkillDemand – Evansville, IN
Provides clerical assistance at depositions and hearings by taking notes, providing follow-up questions to attorneys and keeping track of documents;…
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Talley Eye Institute – Evansville, IN
Talley Eye Institute is seeking someone for Entry Level Data Support. Essential functions include, but are not limited to:….
Surveillance Operator
Tropicana Entertainment Inc. 57 reviews – Evansville, IN
$13 an hour
All weights, distances, and measurements cited in this job analysis are approximations. The above job analysis is for the sole purpose of complying with the…
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Greer’s Flooring America – Evansville, IN
$10 – $12 an hour
Duties to include Light cleaning of work area, answering phones, scheduling estimates, cashier, data entry, qualifying clients and maintaining lms database….
Medical Receptionist
ECHO Community Healthcare 3 reviews – Evansville, IN
Answers incoming and makes outgoing calls with a pleasant affect and serves as communication coordinator to the clinical team….
Accounts Receivable Cashier
Ivy Tech 612 reviews – Evansville, IN
$30,000 a year
Utilize the College’s business system, Banner, to perform cashier duties in person and by phone including receiving and posting payments, answering questions…
Community Resource Specialist
Hillcrest Youth Services, Inc. – Evansville, IN
Applicants must pass the required criminal background checks, fingerprinting, CPS checks, pass a drug screen, hold a valid driver’s license and qualify for the…
Customer Service Support
Leed Samples & Fulfillment – Evansville, IN
$12 an hour
Answer and direct phone calls. Greet visitors and vendors to the company. Sign, sort & distribute incoming mail & packages….
Accounts Receivable Cashier
Ivy Tech Community College 612 reviews – Evansville, IN
$30,000 a year
Utilize the College’s business system, Banner, to perform cashier duties in person and by phone including receiving and posting payments, answering questions…
Environmental Safety Officer
Deaconess Health System 49 reviews – Evansville, IN
The Environmental Safety Officer, as appointed by Deaconess CEO, provides appropriate structure and tools to assure all campuses and locations of the hospital…
Project Coordinator (Veteran Preferred)
Vector Force Development, LLC – Evansville, IN
$60,000 – $65,000 a year
Estimate costs based on provided estimating tools and or works with others to develop costs. Ability to interpret field conditions and communicate project…
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Don’s Claytons DCI Fine DryCleaning – Evansville, IN
Now hiring at 3309 N Green River Rd,…
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Rogers Jewelers 36 reviews – Evansville, IN
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Schnucks Green River Floral – Evansville, IN
Now hiring at 3501 North Green River Road,…
Multiple General Labor Openings
Road and Rail Services 94 reviews – Evansville, IN
$14.00 – $14.50 an hour
Must maintain a valid state driver’s license if required to operate company equipment; Valid Drivers License….
Inventory Control Specialist ICS
Rural King 537 reviews – Evansville, IN
Use general office equipment such as telephone, copy machine, fax machine, calculator, computer. Ability to multi-task and coordinate, analyze, observe, make…
Customer Service Representative 2
Bureau of Motor Vehicles 82 reviews – Evansville, IN
$12 – $13 an hour
Must possess a valid State of Indiana driver’s license for at least the preceding 12 month period. Must be available to work License Branch Hours of Operation:….
Accounting/Administrative Assistant
Kerry 428 reviews – Evansville, IN
Receptionist – Answer phones and greet visitors. Order office supplies, filing and other general clerical duties….
First Steps Service Coordinator
BLUE RIVER SERVICES, INC. 14 reviews – Evansville, IN
Must have valid driver’s license and dependable transportation. Full-time position in Evansville, requires excellent communication skills both verbal and…
Medical Office Assistant – Supplemental – Endocrinology
Deaconess Health System 49 reviews – Evansville, IN
Assists in discharge process from medical office including collecting payments, posting charges, issuing receipts and posting payments….
Inbound Call Center Representative (CSR)
TSD Global 42 reviews – Evansville, IN
$10.00 – $10.50 an hour
Taking inbound calls in a state of the art call center for a fortune 500 company. Perfect position for retired individuals looking to supplement there income or…
Utility Locate Technician
On the Spot Utility Resources – Evansville, IN
Valid Driver’s License. This will require that you manage your own daily route and that you are committed to the high quality and accuracy of your work to…
Black Belt – Midtown
Deaconess Health System 49 reviews – Evansville, IN
Bachelor’s degree in business discipline healthcare field or related degree essential. This position has responsibility for driving business improvements using…
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Transitional Services Inc 16 reviews – Evansville, IN
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DXE Staffing – Evansville, IN
Now hiring at 2207 E Morgan Ave Suite A,…
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Frontier Wines & Spirits – Evansville, IN
Now hiring at 1701 Oak Hill Rd,…
Part Time Retail Merchandiser (Grocery)
Serv-U-Success 76 reviews – Evansville, IN
$10 – $12 an hour
Customer first orientation, greeting customers and answering questions in a friendly manner, proactively offering assistance and providing timely and accurate…
Machine Operator
Sterling Boiler & Mechanical Inc – Evansville, IN
Now hiring at 1420 Kimber Ln,…
Accounts Payable Specialist
Koch Enterprises Family of Companies – Evansville, IN
Stay tax compliant by filling out and filing monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual tax. Record invoices by entering them into the computer system….
CSR / Teller – North Green River Road – Full-Time
Fifth Third Bank 1,601 reviews – Evansville, IN
O Act with confidence by answering and/or finding answers to customer questions and finding solutions to customer issues;…