News

John F. Lauro – One of the Featured Panelists at the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Seminar

May 6, 2011

John Lauro was one of the featured panelists at the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Seminar in Orlando, Florida on May 6, 2011. The seminar was sponsored by the American Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Lauro led a panel discussion of developments in sentencing for federal health care offenses. A significant part of Mr. Lauro's practice deals with representing health care providers, physicians, and payers in connection with federal health care matters. The panel discussion focused on the increase in enforcement actions by the federal government that will affect all individuals and businesses in the health care industry.

John F. Lauro – Was Awarded the Prestigious James H. Kynes Memorial "In The Trenches Award"

May 3, 2011

On May 3, 2011, John F. Lauro was awarded the prestigious James H. Kynes Memorial "In The Trenches Award" by the Hillsborough County Bar Association. The award recognizes excellence and integrity in criminal advocacy, and is given annually to a lawyer who provides exemplary representation to clients in the criminal justice system. Mr. Lauro was recognized for, among other things, his successful representation of the former president of Medical Manager Corp. (now WebMD).

John F. Lauro – One of the Featured Panelists at ABA White Collar Crime Institute

March 2 - 4 , 2011

John Lauro was one of the featured panelists at the 25th Annual American Bar Association National Institute on White Collar crime held in San Diego on March 2-4, 2011. The Institute was attended by over 1,000 leading white collar practitioners, prosecutors, and judges. Mr. Lauro served as a member of the plenary panel that focused on recent trials. He provided an in-depth description of the WebMD securities fraud trial, which resulted in a Rule 29 acquittal of his client. Mr. Lauro is one of a limited group of white collar practitioners who try high-profile cases around the country. In discussing the WebMD trial, Mr. Lauro provided a description of the well-developed litigation strategy that led to an acquittal in that case. Among other things, Mr. Lauro commented on successful pre-trial motion practice, building a strong joint defense team, and using cross examination to communicate the client's story to the jury. Given the sometimes negative perception of white collar defendants, Mr. Lauro paid particular attention to the concept of trying two cases: one to the jury focused on common sense themes, and another to the judge focused on legal theories of innocence. Mr. Lauro's remarks were also noted in the white collar crime professor blog.

Acquittal in WebMD Case

Source: TampaBay.com | May, 2010

A federal judge has overturned a guilty verdict against two former Tampa businessmen, saying the statute of limitations had expired in the fraud case.

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PRESS RELEASE MAY 27, 2010
COURT'S DECISION

No Jail Time for Former Appeals Judge Thomas E. Stringer Sr. in Bank Fraud

Source: TampaBay.com | November, 2009

Saying Thomas E. Stringer Sr. has already endured the public humiliation of losing his judgeship and law license, a federal judge on Friday ordered him to spend one year under supervision and to pay a $250 fine for bank fraud.

Stringer, a former appeals judge, admitted in August that he lied on a loan application for a Hawaiian residence he bought with a stripper.

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Ex-judge Avoids Jail, Gets Probation

Source: Tampa Bay Online | November, 2009

TAMPA - Former state appeals court Judge Thomas E. Stringer told a federal judge Friday he destroyed his career and position as community service leader by "one act of bad judgment."

But Stringer avoided any prison time for committing federal bank fraud to help a stripper he had known for years. Instead, he was sentenced to a year of probation, ordered to forfeit $222,000 and fined $250.

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Referee Not Gambling With Choice of Lawyer

Source: St. Petersburg Times | November, 2007

In November 2007, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to betting on NBA games, including games that he officiated, as well as providing confidential information to others who bet on NBA games, a serious violation of NBA regulations.

For four years, Donaghy placed personal bets on NBA games, and for at least five months he advised gamblers on which teams to pick by providing information about referee assignments, health of players, and relationships between referees and players. He was paid to make picks on the games, initially netting $2,000 for each correct pick and later he earned up to $5,000. By committing these crimes, Donaghy has brought into question the NBA's ability to monitor and regulate their referees.

John Lauro, his lawyer, stated that he believed Donaghy's actions were based on a gambling addiction that went untreated for too long.

Donaghy faces up to 25 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines.

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A White Collar Lawyer Who Idolizes Darrow

Source: New York Times | August, 2007

Many of lawyer John Lauro's cases involve white collar crimes; because of this, he is often presented with the question of whether his client is legally guilty. For Lauro, that question doesn’t matter. The New York and Tampa-based lawyer doesn't allow it to affect his ability to work professionally and to the full extent of his knowledge and resources.

In Lauro's opinion, taking an unpopular position can be thrilling "because that really goes to the core of who you are as a lawyer."

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