Latest news with #Wingate
Fox News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Apparent AI mistakes force two judges to retract separate rulings
Two U.S. judges in separate federal courts scrapped their rulings last week after lawyers alerted them to filings that contained inaccurate case details or seemingly "hallucinated" quotes that misquoted cited cases — the latest in a string of errors that suggest the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal research and submissions. In New Jersey, U.S. District Judge Julien Neals withdrew his denial of a motion to dismiss a securities fraud case after lawyers revealed the decision relied on filings with "pervasive and material inaccuracies." The filing pointed to "numerous instances" of made-up quotes submitted by attorneys, as well as three separate instances when the outcome of lawsuits appeared to have been mistaken, prompting Neals to withdraw his decision. In Mississippi, U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate replaced his original July 20 temporary restraining order that paused enforcement of a state law blocking diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools after lawyers notified the judge of serious errors submitted by the attorney. They informed the court that the decision "relie[d] upon the purported declaration testimony of four individuals whose declarations do not appear in the record for this case." Wingate subsequently issued a new ruling, though lawyers for the state have asked his original order to be placed back on the docket. "All parties are entitled to a complete and accurate record of all papers filed and orders entered in this action, for the benefit of the Fifth Circuit's appellate review," the state attorney general said in a filing. A person familiar with Wingate's temporary order in Mississippi confirmed to Fox News Digital that the erroneous filing submitted to the court had used AI, adding that they had "never seen anything like this" in court before. Neither the judges' office nor the lawyers in question immediately responded to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on the retracted New Jersey order, first reported by Reuters. It was not immediately clear if AI was the reason for that erroneous court submission in that case. However, the errors in both cases — which were quickly flagged by attorneys, and prompted the judges to take action to revise or redact their orders — come as the use of generative AI continues to skyrocket in almost every profession, especially among younger workers. In at least one of the cases, the errors bear similarities to AI-style inaccuracies, which include the use of "ghost" or "hallucinated" quotes being used in filings, citing incorrect or even nonexistent cases. For bar-admitted attorneys, these erroneous court submissions are not taken lightly. Lawyers are responsible for the veracity of all information included in court filings, including if it includes AI-generated materials, according to guidance from the American Bar Association. In May, a federal judge in California slapped law firms with $31,000 in sanctions for using AI in court filings, saying at the time that "no reasonably competent attorney should out-source research and writing to this technology — particularly without any attempt to verify the accuracy of that material." Last week, a federal judge in Alabama sanctioned three attorneys for submitting erroneous court filings that were later revealed to have been generated by ChatGPT. Among other things, the filings in question included the use of the AI-generated quote "hallucinations," U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco said in her order, which also referred the lawyers in question to the state bar for further disciplinary proceedings. "Fabricating legal authority is serious misconduct that demands a serious sanction," she said in the filing. New data from the Pew Research Center underscores the rise of AI tools among younger users. According to a June survey, roughly 34% of U.S. adults say they have used ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot — roughly double the percentage of users who said the same at the same point two years ago, in 2023. The share of employed adults who use ChatGPT for work has spiked by a whopping 20 percentage points since June 2023; and among adults under 30, adoption is even more widespread, with a 58% majority saying they have used the chatbot.
The Hill
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Judge temporarily blocks DEI ban in Mississippi
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday blocking a Mississippi law prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools and colleges, citing First Amendment grounds. 'This Court finds that each day the statute remains unclarified, undefined, and under a threat of open interpretation, exacerbates the suppression of protected speech,' Judge Henry Wingate said in his ruling. The plaintiffs included the Mississippi Educators Association, which represents public school teachers, as well as student organizations and faculty at several state colleges, including Jackson State University, a historically Black institution. They argued that the Mississippi law had chilled free expression and forced them to cancel previously scheduled DEI initiatives or training. The law prohibits the promotion of 'divisive concepts' or programming that 'increases awareness or understanding of race, sex, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin.' In his ruling, Wingate argued that the law was unclear and could be construed to be enforced unevenly. 'Institutions have spent the intervening months attempting to interpret and implement the statute, often erring on the side of caution by canceling or defunding programming that arguably falls within its prohibitions. This prolonged period of uncertainty has deepened the chilling effect,' Wingate wrote. The parties are due back in court on July 23 for a hearing on a possible preliminary injunction, which would be a stronger block on the law. Mississippi is one of at least 16 states that have passed bills since 2023 restricting DEI in some way, including by targeting diversity statements, DEI-related courses, or mandatory training.
21-07-2025
- Politics
Mississippi judge pauses the state's ban on DEI programs in schools and universities
JACKSON, Miss. -- A Mississippi law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs from public schools and universities was temporarily blocked by a federal judge Sunday. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate approved the request for a temporary restraining order brought by a group of plaintiffs, including the Mississippi Association of Educators. The ACLU of Mississippi, which represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the law imposes the 'preferred views" of Mississippi's state government on students, educators and families, violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments. 'We are fighting to protect the constitutional rights of teachers and students to share ideas and to receive and exchange knowledge,' the statement said. "We look forward to our day in court.' The temporary restraining order will stay in place until Wingate rules on the plaintiff's request for preliminary injunction, a longer-term order that would prevent the law from being enforced while litigation plays out in court. The ACLU of Mississippi said Wingate's order is a 'critical first step.' The law, which passed in April, bans offices, courses, trainings and programs relating to DEI, as well as a list of 'divisive topics.' Educational institutions found to be in violation of the law could lose state funding. In his ruling, Wingate cited instances where the law is already having an impact as part of his reason for siding with the plaintiffs. Faculty members at Jackson State University have been instructed not to discuss gender theory or systemic racism, he wrote. 'Suppressing constitutional speech through vague prohibitions and the specter of financial retribution does not serve the public good — it undermines it,' the ruling reads. Both parties will argue their case at a hearing about the potential preliminary injunction Wednesday.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mississippi judge pauses the state's ban on DEI programs in schools and universities
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs from public schools and universities was temporarily blocked by a federal judge Sunday. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate approved the request for a temporary restraining order brought by a group of plaintiffs, including the Mississippi Association of Educators. The ACLU of Mississippi, which represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the law imposes the 'preferred views" of Mississippi's state government on students, educators and families, violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments. 'We are fighting to protect the constitutional rights of teachers and students to share ideas and to receive and exchange knowledge,' the statement said. "We look forward to our day in court.' The temporary restraining order will stay in place until Wingate rules on the plaintiff's request for preliminary injunction, a longer-term order that would prevent the law from being enforced while litigation plays out in court. The ACLU of Mississippi said Wingate's order is a 'critical first step.' The law, which passed in April, bans offices, courses, trainings and programs relating to DEI, as well as a list of 'divisive topics.' Educational institutions found to be in violation of the law could lose state funding. In his ruling, Wingate cited instances where the law is already having an impact as part of his reason for siding with the plaintiffs. Faculty members at Jackson State University have been instructed not to discuss gender theory or systemic racism, he wrote. 'Suppressing constitutional speech through vague prohibitions and the specter of financial retribution does not serve the public good — it undermines it,' the ruling reads. Both parties will argue their case at a hearing about the potential preliminary injunction Wednesday. The Mississippi Attorney General's Office declined to comment on the pending litigation. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal subpoena targets Jackson, MS, $89.8M Siemens settlement spending. See who was named
Federal authorities have subpoenaed a sweeping set of financial records from the City of Jackson and key parties tied to its 2020 settlement with Siemens Industry, Inc., demanding details on how the city spent or managed the nearly $90 million settlement after the failed water meter and billing system overhaul. The subpoena, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, is part of two federal lawsuits against the city — one over years of raw sewage overflows into Jackson neighborhoods, and another filed after the 2022 drinking water crisis that left residents without running water for days. Together, the lawsuits accuse the city of failing to maintain its sewer and water systems in violation of federal environmental laws. Both cases are being overseen by U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, who appointed Ted Henifin in 2022 to manage Jackson's failing water and sewer systems. Henifin later established JXN Water to operate the utilities under federal oversight. During a public hearing in June on another proposed rate increase for Jackson residents, Wingate shifted focus to the Siemens settlement, asking Henifin where the money went. Henifin told Wingate that about 33% of the settlement — slightly over $29 million — went to the attorneys representing the city. That left around $60 million for Jackson's use. Henifin also said he believed some of it was used to pay overdue water and sewer bills, but the rest couldn't be accounted for. Wingate then directed him to investigate. With Wednesday's subpoenas, it seems that investigation has begun. The four-page court order directs 10 parties — including the city's legal department, Department of Public Works, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and Henifin himself — to turn over all documentation related to the Siemens settlement by early August. It comes only nine days into Jackson Mayor John Horhn's first term in office. Horhn could not be immediately reached for comment. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency are seeking bank statements, disbursement logs, wire transfer records, internal memos and other documents that detail how Jackson received, allocated and spent the $89.8 million it recouped in February 2020. The settlement ended a years-long battle with Siemens, a multinational engineering and technology giant, over a $90 million contract the city awarded in 2013 to modernize its water billing system. But the project ultimately collapsed and left thousands of Jacksonians with faulty meters and inaccurate bills. The contract, dispute and settlement all took place during former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's administration. Lumumba is not named in the subpoena. Wednesday's subpoena suggests the federal government is examining whether any of those settlement funds were misused or improperly reported. According to the order, officials are particularly interested in whether the city used the money for debt repayment, infrastructure repairs, capital projects or any other financial obligations. The order commands production of any documents 'relating to the approximately $89.8 million settlement between the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and Siemens Industry, Inc.,' and notes that recipients must provide any records in their 'possession, custody, or control, or otherwise accessible.' "Judge Wingate's recent request for information relates to the $89.8 million settlement between the City of Jackson and Siemens Industry, Inc," JXN Water spokesperson Aisha Carson said in an email statement Thursday. "That settlement was managed by the City, and JXN Water was not a party to the lawsuit or the resulting funds. We understand Judge Wingate has asked for additional documentation, but this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Jackson." Ted Henifin, JXN Water's federally appointed manager The City of Jackson's legal department and public works division The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality The EPA's Region 4 office The U.S. Department of Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division The subpoena was also sent to several law firms that represented the city during the Siemens litigation Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC (Birmingham, AL) Winston J. Thompson III & Associates, PLLC (Jackson, MS) Barry W. Howard, Esq. (Jackson, MS) Ice Miller LLP (Chicago, IL) The city's lawsuit against Siemens alleged the company and its subcontractors failed to deliver a working water billing system, installed meters that often didn't register water usage and left the city with uncollectable accounts and massive financial shortfalls. Siemens, which denied wrongdoing, agreed to the 2020 settlement to resolve the matter. At the time, city officials said the recouped funds would help stabilize Jackson's water finances. The subpoena gives recipients 30 days to produce the documents. If the city or other parties fail to comply, they could face sanctions or further court orders compelling the release of records. The move marks the latest turn in Jackson's ongoing reckoning with its water crisis. Contributing: Pam Dankins, Clarion Ledger Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: The DOJ issues subpoenas in Jackson MS Siemens payout
