Supreme Court Reverses “Bridgegate” Convictions

MICHAEL C. DORF

Cornell law professor Michael C. Dorf comments on last week’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court reversing the convictions of two New Jersey officials for their role in the so-called “Bridgegate” scandal of 2013. Although the Court made clear that the underlying conduct was dangerous and wrong, its holding reversing the convictions may effectively permit corrupt bullies to continue to exercise political power, due in part to inadequate responses from other political actors.

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FMS Nephrology Partners North Central Indiana Dialysis Centers, LLC v. Meritain Health, Inc.

Docket: 20S-PL-302

Opinion Date: May 11, 2020

Judge: Slaughter

Areas of Law: ERISA, Health Law, Insurance Law

The Supreme Court vacated the trial court's grant of summary judgment for Defendants, holding that the trial court erred by entering summary judgment for defendant health-insurance plans, which were governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), based on ERISA preemption. Plaintiff, a health-care provider, contracted with two third-party networks. Defendants and its affiliated employee health-insurance plans contacted with both health networks. Seven patients received treatments from Plaintiff, and the patients were covered under Defendants' plans. Plaintiff sued Defendants, alleging that they failed to pay agreed reimbursement rates for covered services under their plans. The trial court granted summary judgment against Plaintiff, concluding that Plaintiff's claims were preempted under ERISA's conflict-preemption provision, 29 U.S.C. 1144(a). The Supreme Court vacated the judgment, holding that genuine issues of disputed fact existed concerning the central issue of whether the provider's claims were denied coverage under the plans or whether the provider's claims necessitated interpreting the plan documents.

In the Matter of Curtis T. Hill, Jr.

Docket: 19S-DI-156

Opinion Date: May 11, 2020

Judge: Per Curiam

Areas of Law: Legal Ethics

The Supreme Court found that Respondent, the Attorney General of Indiana, committed acts of misdemeanor battery, conduct that violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(d), and that Respondent should be suspended for thirty days with automatic reinstatement. The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a disciplinary complaint against Respondent alleging that his conduct at a local bar involving various forms of nonconsensual and inappropriate touching violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(d). A hearing officer found that Respondent violated the rules and recommended that Respondent be suspended for at least sixty days without automatic reinstatement. The Supreme Court concluded that Respondent violated Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(d) and suspended Respondent from the practice of law for a period of thirty days.