Lerach and Weiss: Doing Things Halfway
William Lerach and Melvyn Weiss, two former kings of the securities class action bar, went down in a federal racketeering probe. Lerach cut a deal before indictment, while Weiss pleaded guilty after litigating for a spell. So a judge sentenced Weiss to six months more in prison. But now, thanks to participation in a treatment program, Weiss is scheduled for release a month sooner than Lerach. Both prisoners eased into halfway houses six months before their release dates, per a change in federal law.
