Voters Denied Polling Accessibility and SAC's Steinberg Sentenced
Last week, voters with disabilities were vindicated when the Second Circuit affirmed a district court's ruling that New York City failed to provide accessible polling locations for people with disabilities.
And while voters gained more access to the polls, SAC's Michael Steinberg was sentenced to 3-1/2 years' imprisonment for insider trading.
Disabled in Action Case
Two nonprofit organizations, United Spinal Association and Disabled in Action, sued the New York City Board of Elections for failing to provide plaintiffs -- voting age New Yorkers with vision and/or mobility disabilities -- "meaningful access to its voting program," as required by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The district court found that there existed "pervasive and recurring barriers to access" polling sites, and gave the parties the chance to "develop and propose a joint plan for relief." On appeal, the Second Circuit agreed "with the district court that the undisputed facts demonstrate that BOE fails to provide individuals with meaningful access to its voting program and that the proposed accommodations." The court further held that the district court's "remedial order is a proper exercise of the district court's authority to grant equitable relief."
Michael Steinberg Sentenced
Last summer, Michael Steinberg was charged with insider trading related to computer giant, Dell. Steinberg allegedly received information regarding Dell's financial performance before that information was made public. Steve Cohen, his boss at SAC Capital, sent an email to Steinberg stating "Nice job on Dell."
After a jury convicted him of insider trading, and just one day before his sentencing hearing, Michael Steinberg's request for acquittal was rejected by a district court judge, reports Reuters. Instead, on Friday, the judge sentenced him to 3-1/2 years in prison; He had asked for two years, and prosecutors had asked for 6-1/2 years' imprisonment, according to Reuters. In addition to his prison sentence, Steinberg is also fined $2 million and ordered to forfeit $365,142, the amount of illegal profits derived from the illegal trades. He was granted bail pending an appeal.
Related Resources:
- New York City Benignly Neglected Disabled in Hurricane Emergencies (FindLaw's U.S. Second Circuit Blog)
- Disability Advocates Lacks Standing to Bring ADA Housing Claim (FindLaw's U.S. Second Circuit Blog)
- NYC Not Required to Offer More Wheelchair-Accessible Taxicabs (FindLaw's U.S. Second Circuit Blog)