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Category Archives: Attorney Carlos A. Gamino

Would You Get an Animal Organ Transplanted in Your Body?

03 Thursday Feb 2022

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino

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Organ Transplant, Science, Tech

By Carlos Gamino

Medical experts transplanted a heart from a genetically modified pig into a man in January 2022, marking the first time anyone has ever received one. David Bennett, the 57-year-old recipient, had no other options: He was ineligible for a human transplant, and the pig used in the experimental surgery had been bred to be an organ donor.

The donor was a one-year-old, 240-pound pig bred specifically for Bennett’s heart transplant. The pig’s genome was modified to increase the likelihood that the donation would be successful; scientists deleted four genes, including one that would prevent the heart from continuing to grow after transplantation. Scientists also added six genes to make the pig’s organ easier for human immune systems to deal with.

But the transplant raises ethical questions for some – including animal rights activists. Animal Aid, a UK-based animal rights group, issued a statement that said, “Animals have a right to live their lives, without being genetically manipulated with all the pain and trauma this entails, only to be killed and their organs harvested.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said something similar: “Animals aren’t tool sheds to be raided but complex, intelligent beings.”

Bennett, who’s so far doing fine, agreed to the surgery knowing the risks of a poor outcome. This surgery followed just months after New York doctors successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human. Doctors are still monitoring him closely, and he’ll need to remain under observation for the foreseeable future.

What Do You Think?

There are more than 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, which is notoriously difficult to nab a spot on – and there’s a dire shortage of organs. Around 17 people on the waiting list die every day in the United States.

Do you think it’s moral and ethical to genetically modify pigs (or any other animals) to help alleviate the shortage? Some medical experts say no one should die waiting for an organ, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to share them with me on Twitter or on my Facebook page.

Attorney Carlos Gamino

Dumbest Criminals of 2020

14 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Carlos Gamino of Waukesha

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2020, Dumb Criminals, Funny Criminals

By Carlos Gamino

You might be able to argue that breaking the law isn’t the smartest choice a person could ever make – but you could argue that if you’re going to break the law, you could at least be smart about it. Someone should’ve told these people that before they were nabbed in some of the wildest situations of 2020.

She’s No David Copperfield

An Ohio inmate, after being arrested for breaking into a senior citizen’s home, decided she could break out of jail… by crawling through the ceiling. As you might expect, the police station’s ceiling was fairly flimsy, causing her to come crashing through the reception area. She landed head-first in a trash can, and police simply picked her up, cuffed her and took her back to her cell.

When You Gotta Go…

A Michigan man was nabbed mid-stream by police officers as he urinated on a police car in St. Petersburg, Florida. The police cuffed him while he continued to urinate, and the police said he was “uncooperative with questioning” as they charged him with disorderly conduct.

Never Leave Your ID at a Crime Scene

A lot of thieves are careful about leaving anything behind while they’re “on the job” – many won’t even leave fingerprints. But a pair of guys in Marion County, Florida, weren’t so concerned. They left behind a shoe, some tools and even a wallet with a driver’s license in one of the stores they’d broken into as they lifted cigarettes and lottery tickets.

Banks Only Take U.S. Currency

A Jefferson County, Colorado man went to make a deposit at the drive-through of his local bank and put a little more than cash in the pneumatic tube – he deposited two bags of cocaine, too. The local sheriff’s office said, “After further investigation it turns out the customer didn’t mean to deposit his cocaine.”

Don’t Leave Your Undies Unattended at the Laundromat

If you visit the laundromat, you probably don’t think you need to monitor the dryers while they’re running – but if you don’t, someone else might. In fact, a Wisconsin man stole several pair of underwear and a handful of bras from laundromats all over Fond du Lac County… and then used them to start fires in both vacant and occupied buildings.

What Do You Think?

Do you have any out-of-the-ordinary crime stories to share? I’d love to read them, so feel free to share them on my Facebook page or on my Twitter feed!

Carlos Gamino

Is the U.S. Minimum Wage Going Up?

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino

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$15 Hour Minimum Wage, 2021, Biden, Minimum Wage

By Carlos Gamino

President Joe Biden has announced that he’d take action to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour in January, which would be the first increase since 2009. It’s currently $7.25 per hour, so doubling the current amount could make a huge impact on the U.S.’s economy – but is it possible?

Can President Biden Raise the Minimum Wage?

There’s no doubt that raising the minimum wage would benefit many hourly workers – both here in Wisconsin and across the rest of the country. In fact, any increase would boost the incomes of over 17 million people and, according to economists, raise about 1.3 million Americans out of poverty.

“People tell me that’s going to be hard to pass – Florida just passed it, as divided as that state is they just passed it,” Biden said. “The rest of the country is ready to move as well.”

As you might imagine, many businesses are against the increase. Some company owners say that they’ll be forced to make labor cuts as people become “too expensive” to hire – but several U.S. cities and states have raised their hourly minimum wages to $15 and haven’t yet appeared to damage any labor markets.

The Pew Research Center says that two out of three Americans support a $15-per-hour minimum wage, however – and the responses are split along party lines. Notably, though, 61 percent of Americans with household incomes of over $75,000 per year support an increase.

If the federal minimum wage goes up, it’ll take precedence over Wisconsin’s state minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour. That means companies in Wisconsin will have to pay employees at least $15 per hour. Although states can have their own minimum wage laws, and the minimum wage can be anything the state deems necessary (even no minimum wage at all), workers are entitled to at least the federal minimum wage – regardless of what state laws say. On the other side of the coin, states that have minimum wage laws with wages exceeding the federal minimum wage, workers are entitled to the state’s wages. California’s minimum wage, for example, is currently double the federal minimum wage – and all workers are entitled to the state’s minimum wage, not the federal one.

What Do You Think?

Do you think the federal minimum wage should increase to $15 per hour? What do you think will happen if the federal government codifies the increase? I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions, so please share them on my Facebook page or my Twitter feed!

Carlos Gamino

Weird Crime: 2020 Edition

01 Saturday Aug 2020

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Blog by Attorney Carlos Gamino

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Weird Crime

Weird Crime in the U.S. - Carlos Gamino By Carlos Gamino

Every now and then we like to pick up oddball news stories related to crime from across the world, and for 2020 – which is already weird as it is – we’ve uncovered a whole host of almost-unbelievable true crimes, including a couple who faked a woman’s death to keep her out of prison and a 5-year-old boy who wanted to buy a Lamborghini.

West Virginia Couple Fakes Woman’s Death

A West Virginia woman, with the help of her husband and son, attempted to fake her own death so she could avoid prison time. The woman went “missing” on May 31, when her fraud-committing family members said she fell off a cliff while searching for a missing earring. Search and rescue crews, including one from the National Park Service, scoured the area… until she turned up in her home a few days later.

Boy, 11 Years Shy of Getting Driver’s License, Takes Family Car on a Road Trip to Buy a Lamborghini

An Ogden, Utah 5-year-old hopped behind the wheel of his family’s SUV and embarked on a road trip to California to buy a Lamborghini because his mother wouldn’t buy him one. Utah Highway Patrol clocked him on the expressway doing 32 miles per hour, so officers believed the driver was drunk or having a medical emergency and pulled the car over. Surprisingly, the boy was fine – but he only had $3 in his wallet, so if the police hadn’t stopped him, he probably still wouldn’t have been able to get the car of his dreams. The boy isn’t going to face joyriding charges, but he did say, “The police told me I drive good.”

Polite Minnesotan Thief Leaves Thank-You Note

Porch pirates are everywhere, but they usually take your stuff and run. That wasn’t the case with a polite Midwesterner (they raise us right out here) who left a thank-you note in place of a package he or she stole from someone’s porch. The note, scrawled on notebook paper, read, “So just a quick little thank you for leaving me the opportunity of stealing your package. Very nice of you. Thank you.” It was signed “The new owner of your package.”

What Are Your Weirdest Crime Stories for 2020?

I’d love to read your favorite weird crime stories from this already-odd year, so please share a link on my Facebook page or Twitter feed to join the conversation!

Carlos Gamino

Coronavirus in Wisconsin – What You Need to Know

10 Sunday May 2020

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Blog by Attorney Carlos Gamino

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Coronavirus, News

Coronavirus in WisconsinBy Attorney Carlos Gamino

Coronavirus moved across Wisconsin in mid-March with more than 30 cases of COVID-19 – and one patient has made a full recovery – but what does the CDC say, and are schools scheduled to close?

Coronavirus in Wisconsin: What You Need to Know

Governor Tony Evers has ordered all public and private schools to close by Wednesday, March 18, and that order will remain in effect until at least April 6. Naturally, the schools may remain closed longer, depending on what happens next with coronavirus – an illness scientists are still scrambling to learn about.

The CDC is suggesting that all gatherings larger than 50 people should be postponed, as well. That includes business conferences, festivals and concerts, and other get-togethers. Many cities cancelled St. Patrick’s Day celebrations (including New York, which cancelled its parade for the first time in more than 250 years).

Should you stay home, though?

The CDC says in general, yes. People should stay home whenever possible and avoid going to places like stores, restaurants and other locations where people you don’t know gather. (You can monitor coronavirus cases here.)

Coronavirus Symptoms

If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be related to coronavirus, the CDC is advising you to stay at home and call your primary care doctor. Don’t go to an emergency room unless you’re having difficulty breathing or facing other complications, because you could infect others who are there for other types of treatment.

These are the most common symptoms of coronavirus:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

You need emergency medical attention if you have:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in your chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

What Do You Think?

Are you staying home to prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect yourself (and others)? What do you think of the way Wisconsin is handling the pandemic, such as by closing schools? Are our officials doing things right or wrong? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share them on my Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Carlos Gamino

 

Toxic Algae Blooms May Be Worse Than We Thought, Scientists Say

18 Friday Oct 2019

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Toxic Algae Blooms May Be Worse Than We Thought, Scientists Say - Carlos GaminoBy Carlos Gamino

Potentially toxic algae blooms in freshwater lakes all over the world – including many in Wisconsin – have become much more intense over the past 30 years. Even worse, rising temperatures make it harder for lakes to bounce back, paving the way for more toxic blooms and creating a cycle that’s going to be difficult to get out of.

The Wisconsin DNR advises people not to swim during a blue-green algae bloom, which can cause illness or death in people and pets. Some of the symptoms of toxicity from these blooms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle weakness and difficulty breathing – and those carry over to pets, as well.

Blue-green algae, a form of Cyanobacteria, is basically what you call “pond scum.” It doesn’t have to be blue-green, either. It’s been recorded as blue, green, reddish-purple and brown, as well. This type of bacteria grows well in lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams, especially when the water is warm. It grows quickly, creating floating mats of algae. Usually, these blooms occur between mid-June and late September in Wisconsin, but as temperatures rise, we’re likely to see them earlier and later in the year.

These toxic blooms aren’t confined to Wisconsin. They’re becoming more widespread all over the world, putting hundreds of aquatic species (as well as humans and other animals) in danger. The booms cost the U.S. about $4 billion annually because they damage drinking water, agriculture and the tourism industry.

What Do You Think?

Have you seen a blue-green algae bloom in a lake or pond near your house? Please feel free to share your photos with us on social media so others know what to look for – and share your thoughts about these toxic blooms on my Facebook page or chime in on Twitter.

Carlos Gamino

When Police Push the Envelope

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Carlos Gamino of Waukesha

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When Police Push the Envelope - Carlos GaminoBy Carlos Gamino

It’s generally accepted wisdom that if you don’t break the law, you don’t have anything to worry about. But what happens when people get into a he-said, she-said situation with police?

Police are sworn officers of the law, so it’s not surprising that what they say carries a little more weight than what an accused criminal says. However, with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and a handful of others making it easier to record police encounters, the fires of suspicion are continually being stoked. (The ACLU launched a “Mobile Justice” app for smartphones that live-streams encounters to their database; if people want to retrieve them for evidence later, they simply request them through the organization.)

It really seems like there’s a genuine distrust of police sweeping the nation. Most police don’t deserve it.

Maybe it’s due to the fact that every confrontation between police and civilians makes it on the 6 o’clock news and spreads around Facebook like wildfire.

The story of a Texas officer knocking out a woman in front of her 6-year-old daughter in April, for example, has thousands of “Likes” and comments, as does video of a police officer punching a woman who, at the time, was 9 months pregnant.

There’s no doubt that these officers may have reacted the wrong way to the situations they were in; I don’t think anyone would dispute that. However, the rate of distrust is growing.

Experts aren’t sure what we should do. We have police hosting “Coffee with a Cop” events and this incredibly amazing day that police spent one day before Christmas. While these things do a little, they’re not solving the problem – and at this point, nobody has the right answers.

How would you change public perception of police, or do you think it doesn’t need to be changed? I’d love to hear what you think, and it’s a discussion we all need to have. Share your thoughts on my Facebook page and let everyone know what you think!

Carlos Gamino

Can Lawyers Be Suspended?

04 Monday May 2015

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Uncategorized

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Can Lawyers Be Suspended - Carlos GaminoBy Carlos Gamino, Wisconsin Lawyer

When a lawyer behaves badly, either as a lawyer or as a citizen, he or she can be prevented from practicing law in a particular court by being disbarred (which is often permanent) or suspended. Suspensions can last for days or years, depending on the court and the misconduct the lawyer committed.

Ways a Lawyer Can Be Suspended

Within the United States, the rules around suspending a lawyer from practice vary from court to court. The process varies somewhat, too.

Infractions that lead to suspension range from sexual assault to being nasty and unprofessional toward other lawyers, and from violation of confidentiality to being minutes late with paperwork. Stealing or “misappropriating” clients’ money comes up in a number of cases.

In Wisconsin, these types of cases are heard by the Office of Lawyer Regulation.

Generally speaking, the Office of Lawyer Regulation investigates allegations of bad lawyer behavior and makes the decision whether they should dismiss the case or give the attorney involved a reprimand. In some cases, they’ll hold hearings just as they would in any other court proceeding.

Notable Recent Suspension Cases

In a recent case, Kenneth Jay Warren, a lawyer in Ohio, was suspended pending further action after he was convicted of felony sexual assault.

Texas capital defense lawyer David Dow was suspended for a year after two instances of filing paperwork late, which can be considered contempt of court. In this case, the court that suspended him is being called out for possibly overstepping its authority.

Larry J. Feldman was suspended from practicing law in Maryland after his 19-year-old client, Isiah Callaway, was murdered. According to the courts, Feldman violated the state’s rules of professional conduct with a breech of confidentiality that led to Callaway’s death.

For deliberately causing delays to a court proceeding, lying to the court and ignoring a subpoena, Rhode Island’s Keven A. McKenna had his license to practice law suspended for one year by the Maryland Supreme Court.

So yes, lawyers can be suspended. Because we’re tasked with ensuring fairness, the protection of legal rights and several other responsibilities, we’re held to strict standards. From the Office of Lawyer Regulation to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, there are always checkpoints of accountability for attorneys in Wisconsin.

Are we tough enough on lawyers when it comes to suspensions and disbarment? Let me know what you think here or on the Carlos Gamino Facebook page.

Carlos Gamino, Wisconsin Attorney

 

Can the Government Listen In on Your Phone Calls?

27 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Carlos Gamino of Waukesha

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Can the Government Listen in on Your Phone Calls - by Carlos GaminoCarlos Gamino, a criminal defense lawyer in Milwaukee, is always interested in privacy laws. Here’s his take on whether the government can—or should—listen in on your phone calls.

 Your phone calls are your own private business. That is, until the government has a reason to listen in. Wiretapping and accessing call records are accepted practices that have been going on for decades. With court approval, the government and police can request cooperation from phone companies to listen in on your conversations.

In fact, a 2014 report from Vodafone, one of the world’s largest cellular companies, revealed that government snooping into phone networks happens extensively all across the globe. This may come as a surprise, but according to Vodafone, many countries even demand direct access into Vodafone’s networks without providing a warrant or prior notice. The report included all of the 29 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia in which Vodafone operates.

Recently, however, the U.S. and the United Kingdom have been accused of taking things one step farther. They’re accused of hacking Dutch SIM card manufacturer Gemalto’s private data and stealing the encryption keys that secure communications between mobile phones and cell towers. These keys allow snoopers to decode phone conversations and text messages.

With the attack, the hackers—whomever they ultimately prove to be—hit the motherlode. Gemalto operates in 85 countries and fabricates about 2 billion SIM cards each year across 40 manufacturing facilities.

To put the scale of the incident into greater perspective, the SIM card hack gives its perpetrators the ability to monitor a significant portion of the world’s voice and data cellular communications… and they can do it all secretly. That access spans across major telecom networks, including some of America’s largest like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, and approximately 450 other wireless providers around the globe—all clients of Gemalto.

The hack is likely to involve many American consumers since nearly 90 percent of U.S. households use wireless service and 39 percent of them are wireless-only, according to 2013 data reported by international non-profit wireless communications organization CTIA.

While many countries put a heavy emphasis on their citizens’ privacy, governments around the world have become increasingly vigilant against terrorism and other potential threats. In many cases, they view wiretapping as a mechanism necessary to help ensure the safety and well-being of their people.

What do you think? If the U.S. and the United Kingdom really are guilty of hacking Gemalto, were they justified in doing so in the name of national security?

What do you do to protect your own privacy? I’d love to hear your opinions, so please, drop by my Facebook page and let me know.

Carlos Gamino

 

Is Your Data Safe?

16 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Carlos Gamino in Attorney Carlos A. Gamino, Milwaukee Criminal Lawyer, Uncategorized

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Is Your Data Safe– By Carlos Gamino, Milwaukee Attorney

There have been a lot of reports of stolen data all over the world, and the latest attack involved hackers pirating millions of dollars from well-known banks. In fact, the web security experts at Kaspersky called the most recent theft “the most successful criminal cyber campaign we have ever seen.”

The hackers used phishing scams on bank employees, installing malicious software right on bank computers through email. Hundreds of machines were infected with the malware, which allowed the hackers to record keystrokes and a system administrator’s screen. From there, they transferred huge amounts of money from banks all over the globe. They also sent signals to ATM machines to start dispensing money at specific times, sending couriers out to collect the cash.

So what does this mean to you?

You don’t have to rush to change all of your passwords, but you do have to take the appropriate precautions. (Changing your passwords won’t hurt, either.) What’s more important is protecting yourself from this moment forward—because hackers don’t just take from the “big guys.”

Most banks now offer temporary credit card numbers that you can use when you shop online. The numbers are good for a limited amount of time, and they’re only valid for one transaction. This system lets you continue to shop online without giving your credit card number to anyone else, including stores you trust.

Target was hacked in October 2014, and Amazon was hit in December. Neiman Marcus, Home Depot and even Xbox Live accounts weren’t immune. That means anywhere you’ve used a credit card is potentially an unsafe place for your data, which hackers can use for identity theft or to rack up massive debt that you’ll eventually have to deal with.

What do you do to keep your data safe? Do you avoid shopping online, or do you have an easy trick that you can share with the rest of us? Add your comment below or head over to my Facebook page to join the discussion!

– Carlos Gamino

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