Workers’ Compensation Is Exclusive Remedy for Co-Worker Assault

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

In a contractor’s action for damages from on-the-job-injuries, defendant raised the defense of plaintiff’s status as a statutory employee, for whom workers’ compensation statutes provide the exclusive remedy. Statutory employee status depends in part on whether the contractor was doing work in the usual course of the defendant’s business. Defendant’s business was “to distribute and deliver its products to its customers [,]” for which it would have used its own employees, if it were not using contractors.
Robby Sebacher, Appellant, vs. Midland Paper Company, Respondent.
Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District – ED108615

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Co-Working Company Regus Puts More Locations into Bankruptcy

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

Co-working company Regus Corp., which provides furnished workspace on short-term deals, has placed more of its assets into chapter 11 bankruptcy as office markets deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy. Regus has put more than a half-dozen lease holding affiliates from New York to California into chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Among the latest filings, were affiliates managing workspaces in New York City, Los Angeles and Denver. The chapter 11 filings represent a small share of Regus’s overall portfolio. Regus offers on-demand workspace in more than 1,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

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Former city administrator pleads guilty to money laundering

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

A former administrator for a Mississippi city has pleaded guilty to money laundering and making false statements on a federal tax return. Randy James, 56, who was once city clerk of Bay Springs in Jasper County, entered the plea Wednesday.

James faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for money laundering. He also faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for making a false statement on an income tax return. Sentencing is set for Jan. 12.

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8 Million Americans Have Fallen into Poverty Since May

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

Two new studies have found that after an ambitious expansion of the safety net in the spring saved millions of people from poverty, the aid is now largely exhausted and poverty has returned to levels higher than before the coronavirus crisis. The number of poor people has skyrocketed by 8 million since May, according to researchers at Columbia University, after falling by 4 million at the pandemic’s start as a result of a $2 trillion CARES Act. Using a different definition of poverty, researchers from the University of Chicago and Notre Dame found that poverty has grown by 6 million people in the past three months. The recent rise in poverty has occurred despite an improving job market since May, an indication that the economy had been rebounding too slowly to offset the lost benefits. And now, the economy is showing new signs of deceleration, amid layoffs, a surge in coronavirus cases and deadlocked talks in Washington, D.C., over new stimulus.

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YogaWorks Files for Chapter 11, Plans to Close All Studios

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

YogaWorks Inc. has filed for bankruptcy and plans to permanently close its dozens of studios across the U.S. but keep offering virtual classes. The California-based yoga studio chain is the latest fitness business to succumb to shutdowns and restrictions on gyms and in-person gatherings because of the coronavirus. YogaWorks said yesterday in a press release that its operations will continue via its livestream and on-demand digital platforms. YogaWorks was founded in 1987 and was purchased by private-equity firm Great Hill Partners in 2014. YogaWorks said that it has an agreement to sell its brand, digital platform and education business to Serene Investment Management LLC. Serene has also agreed to provide YogaWorks with a $3.35 million bankruptcy loan to fund its chapter 11 case.

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IRS extends Economic Impact Payment registration deadline for non-filers to Nov. 21

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

The deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment using the IRS Non-Filers tool has been extended to November 21, 2020.
 
People who don’t normally file a return and have not yet received their stimulus payment are urged to use the tool to sign up. The tool will not be available after November 21.

This additional time is for those who haven’t registered or received their EIP and don’t normally file a tax return. For taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their 2019 tax return, that deadline is still Thursday, October 15.

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John McAfee arrested, indicted on tax evasion charges, sued for fraud

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

Cybersecurity eccentric, John McAfee, is under arrest in Spain awaiting extradition to the United States after being indicted on federal tax evasion charges. The filing alleges that McAfee deliberately not only avoided paying federal taxes from tax years 2014 through 2018 but also tried to hide considerable assets from the IRS. He allegedly hid those assets, including a yacht, a vehicle, real estate, bank accounts, and cryptocurrency, by purchasing and titling them under another name. McAfee has in the past taunted the IRS and bragged on Twitter about not filing tax returns for eight years. The DOJ alleges that he made millions in unclaimed earnings. There are also allegations that $23 million of his income was from committing fraud. If he is found guilty of the tax charges, McAfee could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each of the five counts of tax evasion and up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 on each of the five counts of willful failure to file a tax return.

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New forgiveness application for PPP borrowers with smaller loans

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

Small businesses that obtained PPP loans of $50,000 or less can now use a streamlined application to apply for forgiveness. This is expected to affect about 3.6 million borrowers according to the SBA. The SBA and Treasury Department remain committed to making the forgiveness process as simple as possible while providing protections against fraud. The new form is a single page of required information and a page where voluntary information could be submitted voluntarily.

Confused by the effects of the coronavirus? We can help. Contact our office at 816-524-4949 or you can visit our website at hoorfarlaw.com to schedule an appointment.

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OxyContin Maker Purdue Nears Guilty Plea Agreement in U.S. Criminal Probe

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

Purdue Pharma LP, the OxyContin maker controlled by members of the wealthy Sackler family, is nearing an agreement to plead guilty to criminal charges as part of a deal to resolve U.S. Justice Department probes into its alleged role in fueling the nation’s opioid crisis. Purdue lawyers and federal prosecutors are working on a plea deal that could be released in a few weeks. U.S. prosecutors are negotiating a settlement of civil claims also carrying a financial penalty that allege unlawful conduct in Purdue’s handling of prescription painkillers.

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Restaurant Chain Ruby Tuesday Files for Chapter 11 in Delaware

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Camron Hoorfar

Restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware as it seeks to stabilize its finances during the pandemic. The filing comes after the company reached an agreement with secured lenders to support a restructuring plan. Ruby Tuesday’s restaurants will operate as usual while the firm attempts to recover from the effects of the COCID-19 crisis. Liabilities are estimated between $100 million and $500 million, according to the Delaware court filing. The brand includes more than 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants that employ almost 28,000 staff.

Planning to file for bankruptcy but need help? We can help. Contact our office at 816-524-4949 or you can visit our website at hoorfarlaw.com to schedule an appointment. 

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