PROVIDENCE – The owner of a local tax-preparation firm has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for under-reporting more than $1 million in income and failing to pay nearly $400,000 in federal taxes, The Associated Press reported last week. more

PROVIDENCE – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis last week warned Rhode Island LLCs to be wary of a direct-mail solicitation from an nonexistent entity calling itself “Rhode Island Corporate Compliance.” The latest notice comes just two months after the company mailed a similar letter to for-profit corporations. more

DARTMOUTH – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have formed a National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership Campaign. more

BRISTOL – Roger Williams University School of Law now will offer students the option to earn a three-year J.D. degree on an accelerated 2.5 years, or a more flexible four-year track. more

As part of its 25/25 initiative, Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP recently donated 25 tickets to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art to the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. more

BOSTON – An auto-insurance company has agreed to pay more than $200,000 to settle allegations that it overcharged consumers by failing to reduce premiums as drivers gained additional years of driving experience, Attorney General Martha Coakley said. more

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced last week that as part of a nationwide settlement against the drug manufacturer Amgen Inc., the state will receive $54,248. more

Nearly a year of reassurances from Rhode Island’s top political leaders that the state will pay off its 38 Studios LLC debt hasn’t quieted advocates of a tactical default. more

The first medical-marijuana dispensary has opened in Rhode Island and likely will soon be followed by another, despite uncertain business prospects due to scaled-back plans following years of legal and legislative wrangling. more

Eric Mack, an associate in Edwards Wildman’s Providence office, was recently selected to serve on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Commission. Mack’s practice focuses on the defense of private employers in a variety of employment disputes. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Urban League of Rhode Island and is on the board of trustees at St. Andrew’s School and the Highlander Charter School. A member of the Federal Bar Association, Mack holds a law degree from Tulane University Law School. more