Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Darren Kaplan

@darrenkaplan.bsky.social

550 followers 170 following 1.1K posts

Attorney--class actions and mass torts, maker of dumb jokes, and, occasionally, astute observations.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · Apr 4

My firm, Kaplan Gore LLP, is proud to stand with more than 500 other law firms in support of Perkins Coie’s challenge to Donald Trump’s executive order targeting that firm.

No matter how powerful our opponent, we will never back down from a fight. www.law.com/americanlawy...

More than 500 Law Firms Sign Amicus Brief in Support of Perkins Coie

The majority of the signatories are small, midsized and boutique firms.

www.law.com

2 8

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2h

Just gonna leave this here from the Department of Justice Manual Section 9-27.000 - Principles of Federal Prosecution," specifically, 9-27.230 - Initiating and Declining Charges—Substantial Federal Interest, subsection 2 "Nature and Seriousness of Offense" www.justice.gov/jm/jm-9-2700...

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 6h

Time to send in the Illinois National Guard.

1 21

Reposted by Darren Kaplan

👁🌻🦊⚙️⚓ Bob, Engineer, Pusher of Paper @navmecheng.bsky.social · 1d

> It is 2025 BC. I am a soldier from one of the outlying provinces called to defend the pyramid in Memphis

> It is 2025 AD. I am a soldier from one of the outlying provinces called to defend the pyramid in Memphis

Soldiers at the Bass Pro Shops pyramid in Memphis, TN.

65 3.3K 11K

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 1d

This was only a matter of time.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...

Federal Judges, Warning of ‘Judicial Crisis,’ Fault Supreme Court’s Emergency Orders

www.nytimes.com

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 1d

This is gonna be good.

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

Of course, the entire investigation and prosecution of James is an attempt to make something out of nothing, but seeing the actual number involved underlines the preposterousness of the exercise. Trump is the only reason there's a federal indictment for a $2,090 "crime." (9/9)

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

I don't mean to minimize the seriousness of bank fraud, but prosecuting anyone federally for an alleged ill-gotten gain of little more than $2,000 is insanely small ball and a prodigious waste of the federal government's resources and power. (8/9)

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

Even assuming the allegations are correct about the improper "seller credit" of "approximately $1,096," the United States of America has indicted the Attorney General of New York for an alleged total ill-gotten gain of $2,090.41! (7/9)

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

Because we now know all the relevant loan terms, we can calculate that James has paid $3,452.01 in interest to date when, according to the indictment, she should have actually paid $4,446.42--a difference of all of $994.41. (6/9)

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

The same loan amortized over 30 years at 3.815% interest results in $74,585.21 in total interest. That's a difference of $17,837.12. Add in the seller credit difference and it's exactly $18,933. But the loan hasn't been paid off yet, James still has 298 more months to go! (5/9)

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

Par. 8 tells us James obtained a loan at a 3.000% rate when she should have obtained the higher investment property interest rate of 3.815%. Par. 5 tells us the loan principle was $109,600. Amortized over 30 years at 3.000% interest, that's $56,748.09 in total interest. (4/9)

1 1

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

But par. 5 alleges James obtained the loan on Aug. 17, 2020, 62 months ago. The indictment doesn't tell us the loan term, but it has the funding date, the principle, the two possible interest rate(s) and the resulting difference in interest, so we can figure it out. (3/9)

1 1

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

Par. 8 alleges "total ill-gotten gains of approximately $18,933 over the life of the loan." The total loss is calculated based on a more favorable note rate and a higher seller credit of $3,288 rather than a $1,096 credit for investment properties, a difference of $2,192. (2/9)

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

While a federal bank fraud conviction under 18 U .S.C. § 1344 doesn't require any showing of actual loss by the financial institution, it's relevant to note the Letitia James indictment significantly inflates the amount of her alleged "total ill-gotten gains." (1/9)

"On or about August 17, 2020, JAMES, as sole borrower, purchased the three (3) bedroom, (1) bathroom property located at 3121 Peronne Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23509 (the "Peronne Property"), for approximately $137,000, financed with a mortgage loan of
approximately $109,600 (Loan #4430025978) backed by Fannie Mae."

"This misrepresentation allowed JAMES to obtain favorable loan terms not available for investment properties, including a note rate of 3.000% (avoiding a 0.815% higher comparable investment property rate of 3.815%, resulting in approximately $17,837 in rate savings over the life of the loan), a seller credit of approximately $3,288 ( exceeding the seller credit for investment properties by approximately $1,096), for total ill-gotten gains of approximately $18,933 over the life of the loan."

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 2d

I hereby nominate the Norwegian Nobel Committee for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

Reuters @reuters.com · 2d

'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Reposted by Darren Kaplan

The Daily Show @thedailyshow.com · 3d

The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.

1.9K 23K 55K

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 3d

It's a similar legal doctrine to shootias puppyus.

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 3d

To shamelessly rip off Mel Brooks, instead or retail fleeing, its staying in droves.

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 4d

The Trump Administration is at war with Christianity.

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 4d

You keep waiting for the rhetorical turn in this opinion piece in the @nytimes.com, but it never comes. Christopher Caldwell is completely serious.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/o...

Opinion | That Hegseth Speech Was Actually Pretty Good

www.nytimes.com

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 5d

The expression Pam Bondi made instead of answering Senator Whitehouse's question as to whether she knew anything about photos in Jeffrey Epstein's safe that a witness has claimed showed Trump with half-naked girls.

1 1

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 6d

Breaking: SCOTUS has denied certiorari in Ghislaine Maxwell's petition to overturn her conviction in the Southern District of New York for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors.

That's the end of the appellate road, and her conviction and sentencing stands.

1 1

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 7d

@nyjets.bsky.social fans contemplating the rest of the season.

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 7d

Congratulations to Mark Sanchez on surpassing Aaron Rodgers as the most embarrassing Jets quarterback of the modern era.

Darren Kaplan @darrenkaplan.bsky.social · 9d

A massive fire has erupted at a large oil refinery. Nearby residents were ordered to shelter in place.
Obviously this means we should completely abandon fossil fuels as a dangerous and unproven energy source.

Am I doing this right?

"Headline: LIVE UPDATES: Investigation underway into massive fire at Chevron's El Segundo refinery."