Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials Nov 20, 2009
U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Karen Hoppman described many of the defendants as "industry professionals or multiple borrowers.". And that's just the tip of the iceberg, says Middle District U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton, who called Florida "ground zero for mortgage fraud.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Braddock hospital's closure protested Nov 20, 2009
Council President Jesse Brown also told the crowd that he planned to ask the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the hospital's closure to see if it constituted a civil rights violation. Moriah Balingit can be reached at or 412-263-2533. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Nicrosi enters Ala. AG race Nov 20, 2009
She joined the United States Department of Justice in Washington after law school. Two years after returning to Alabama in 1995 she was named Chief of the Criminal Division in the United States Attorney s office in Alabama s southern district two. (WSJA.com, AL)
French publishers slam new Google book proposals Nov 20, 2009
The settlement seeks to address copyright and anti-trust objections raised by the US Department of Justice and others to the original version of the complicated legal agreement. It narrows the definition of books covered under the settlement to those registered with the US Copyright Office by January 5 or published in Australia, Britain, Canada or the United States. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Congress Asks for Probe of Clemens Nov 20, 2009
"Our only conclusion is that significant questions have been raised about Mr. Clemens's truthfulness and that further investigation by the Department of Justice is warranted.". Clemens becomes the second professional baseball player referred this year by the committee to the Justice Department for an investigation into possible perjury, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment if convicted. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
Corporate bribery: Ungreasing the wheels Nov 20, 2009
The two American agencies responsible for enforcing the FCPA, the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission, have both made clear their intention to be even fiercer under the new administration than they were under the previous one. We will be intensely focused on rooting out foreign bribery in your industry. (The Economist)
DOJ: $2.4 Billion Recovered From False Claims Act Cases Nov 20, 2009
"It's no secret that health care fraud is a top priority of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice and the administration," Assistant Attorney General Tony West, head of the Civil Division, told reporters Thursday ... "It's no secret that this administration's policy and Department of Justice policy ... is that we think DOMA ought to be repealed. We think it's discriminatory. We hope that it will be repealed," West told reporters. (Law.com)
Lynne Stewart Told to Surrender; Court's Split Over Light Sentence Remains Nov 19, 2009
Stewart and Yousry were forbidden from doing so after signing affirmations acknowledging restrictions on the sheikh's communications in Special Administrative Measures (SAMs) set by the U.S. Department of Justice. But Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karl Metzner and Michael D. Maiman carried the day on the argument, as Koeltl agreed with their memorandum that he retained jurisdiction over a defendant's bail conditions. (Law.com)
Innocent Plea Nov 19, 2009
After investigation of the death, Stillwater County officials and Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations Bureau Chief John Strandell confirmed that Blattie's death was a homicide. In initial reports of the death, the sheriff said investigators consider the death suspicious. (Laurel Outlook, MT)
AP: Gay Couples Blast Federal Defense of Marriage Act Nov 19, 2009
"DOMA marks a stark, and unique, departure from the respect and recognition the federal government has long afforded to State marital status determinations," lawyers for Gay an Advocates ders argue in a written response to the U.S. Department of Justice motion to dismiss the lawsuit. In a court filing in September, Justice officials made it clear that the Obama administration thinks the law is discriminatory and should be repealed. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Wis. veterans home leader reinstated after firing Nov 19, 2009
Scocos told agency employees Crowley's reinstatement was appropriate after the Department of Justice declined to press charges last week against anyone in connection with spending irregularities at the home. The Department of Justice's investigative report did, however, cite miscommunication and confusion at all levels and portrayed Crowley as relying heavily on subordinates. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Holder: Court Will Convict KSM Nov 19, 2009
First it s contrary to the Department of Justice policy, the very department he heads. When I made reference to the strong case about Khalid Sheik Mohammed in my opening statement I said alleged. (Human Events Online)
When the law chases the Internet Nov 19, 2009
Google Inc. hasn't committed a crime, but it did argue before a federal judge in recent days that it should not be ordered to turn over some general information about personal search logs to the Department of Justice. Federal investigators say they need the information to help make a case that Web porn is a threat to children. (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
Sex offender gets three-year prison sentence Nov 19, 2009
Police arrested Hudson in September after an Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Child task force investigation, which targets predators who use the Internet to sexually exploit children. The charges are related to computers Hudson had, containing numerous pornographic pictures of minors. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
State subpoenas assessor's records Nov 19, 2009
Since that luncheon two more employees have quit, another tort claim has been filed and the Oregon Department of Justice has requested the county appear in court related to the matter ... I was disappointed I couldn t get the Department of Justice to file in Coos County, but they didn t consult much with us, Haggerty said ... November 2009: Oregon Department of Justice requests Coos County show cause for refusing to turn over documents related to an assessor workers compensation claim. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
First a Failure of Imagination, and Now a Lack of Understanding Nov 19, 2009
"The Department of Justice will pursue prosecution in federal court of the five individuals accused of conspiring to commit the 9/11 attacks," announced Attorney General Eric Holder last week. This prosecution involves Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other detainees at Guantanamo who have been charged before military commissions with helping plan the attacks: Walid Muhammed Salih, Mubarak Bin Attash, Ramzi Bin Al Shibh, Ali Abdul-Aziz Ali and Mustafa Ahmed Al Hawsawi. (Townhall.com)
Questions linger in case against fired county engineer Nov 19, 2009
Also named in the protective order is Joshua Braustein of the U.S. Department of Justice who is heading a federal deportation case against the Middle Eastern immigrant. Zepdaoui would still be able to participate in government meetings through pre-arranged telephone communication. (Lake Wales News, FL)
Brown Recovers $1.4B For Wells Fargo Investors Nov 19, 2009
Information Provided by the US Department Of Justice. Copyright 2009 by. (KERO 23, CA)
Ga. Jury Acquits Lawyer in Trial Over Drug Money Nov 19, 2009
" The federal appellate ruling, he said, played a significant role in the case and Shelnutt's ultimate acquittal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Newman of Georgia's Southern District, who sat at the prosecution table with Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Stewart and special prosecutor Carlton R. Bourne Jr. throughout the trial, said after the verdict Wednesday, "Department of Justice protocol is to say we accept the verdict, and we do ... " Southern District prosecutors were appointed by the... (Law.com)
Cindy Crawford's attempted blackmailer surrenders to police Nov 18, 2009
Department of Justice via AP. Edis Kaylar surrendered to German authorities Monday night. (USA Today -- Life)
IRS: Thousands reveal secret accounts Nov 18, 2009
More than 14,700 taxpayers have come forward to report previously undisclosed foreign bank accounts as part of the voluntary disclosure program that the implemented, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and IRS.. The program arose out of settlements of civil and criminal charges leveled against Swiss banking giant. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Online gambling firm in talks with rival Nov 18, 2009
Online gambling company PartyGaming has started talks with the US department of justice to find out whether it could be prosecuted for taking online bets in America before the recent ban there. The move follows legal action against its rivals. (Yahoo News -- Gambling & Lottery)
Australian admits role in Afghan bribery attempt Nov 18, 2009
The US Department of Justice alleged that Walker offered to use his position on an influential committee in Afghanistan to award a security subcontract in return for payment of $US250,000 ($267,000), ''at a minimum. An American co-accused, Bryan Lee Burrows, entered a guilty plea to the same charge. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Expert: Officer May shot in the head first Nov 18, 2009
Davis is under contract with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and reviews hundreds of use-of-force investigations nationwide, he said. As chief, Davis said he did not have an expectation that his officers should follow tiered escalation-of-force policy to the letter. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Stimulus at work: Federal spending in Chelmsford Nov 18, 2009
Award Federal grant from the Department of Justice. Award Description The Chelmsford Police Department was awarded an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant in the amount of $21,102 grant from the Department of Justice. (Chelmsford Independent, MA)
Obama tabs NC attorney to Federal Trade Commission Nov 18, 2009
Brill joined Cooper s Department of Justice in February as senior deputy attorney general. She previously served as an assistant attorney general in Vermont for more than 20 years. (Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, NC)
USAS again denied change Nov 18, 2009
"The administration feels that the DSP will not be passed by the Department of Justice because it will be found to violate anti-trust laws," USAS member Paige Heimark (freshman-political science and studio art) said ... Penn State President Graham Spanier, who attended the meeting, said he was unwilling to sign on to the DSP before the Department of Justice's ruling and continues to support only the Knight Apparel "Above and Beyond" program. (Daily Collegian, PA)
City Changes Policy in Wake of CBS Report Nov 18, 2009
A Department of Justice report released last week reflected the lack of information nationwide showing that only 40% of police departments have a computerized information system in place capable of tracking forensic evidence inventory. . (CBS News -- Evening News)
Obama Looks to Move Judges Nov 17, 2009
The aide also pointed out that Republicans have refused to agree to a time limit for debate on the nomination of Christopher Schroeder to head the Department of Justice s Office of Legal Policy, which is responsible for vetting judicial nominations. Harry Reid could file cloture on every one of these nominations. (Roll Call)
Sacramento agent accused of $6.3M scheme Nov 17, 2009
The Department of Insurance and California Department of Justice, which have invested Sassman, allege that he convinced clients through misrepresentation and deceit to invest funds into various joint ventures that ultimately failed. He allegedly convinced investors to shift their savings from IRAs, annuities, life insurance accounts, 401(k)s and certificates of deposit to high return investments with his companies. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Vonage settles with N.C., 31 other states Nov 17, 2009
The N.C. Department of Justice will use the settlement to enforce consumer-protection laws. The settlement requires Vonage to make refunds to eligible consumers who filed complaints regarding unauthorized charges after January 2004. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Miller fills NT anti-discrimination post Nov 17, 2009
Dr Miller, who did not formally apply for the post, was approached by the NT Department of Justice about a month ago. Dr Miller, who was named the NT Australian of the year in 2004, spent two decades heading the Central Australian Aboriginal legal Aid Service and will take up the new role next year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Medical pot can be taxed Nov 17, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice s recent announcement that users and providers of medical marijuana won t be prosecuted if they comply with state law has kindled interest in the drug as a business opportunity. In Colorado, where voters approved Amendment 20 in 2000, the Justice Department s announcement has fired up interest in medical marijuana dispensaries establishments that cultivate and distribute marijuana for patients with certain medical conditions. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Cyber crime, security expert to speak in Eliot Nov 17, 2009
" When WHOA-KTD conducted a survey in 2007 of 395 Maine students aged between 11 and 19 years of age, 28% of students admitted to having been cyberbullied and just over half of them told their parents or another adult about the bullying. 65% were bullied by IM, followed by email, Myspace, chat rooms and online games. 43% of the students surveyed were bullied online by someone of their own age or in the same grade. 25% who did not report the bullying felt it wasn t a big problem or they didn t... (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Analysis: U.S. attorney takes a bow Nov 17, 2009
She was widely regarded as a favorite under Attorney General John Ashcroft and held a variety of positions within the Department of Justice. She served as the chair of the attorney general's advisory committee and was the director of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Our views: Sunshine State scams (Nov. 15) Nov 17, 2009
U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Karen Hoppman described many of the defendants as industry professionals or multiple borrowers. . (Florida Today)
Is the NSA spying on U.S. Internet traffic? Nov 17, 2009
In an e-mail statement to Salon, FBI spokesperson Paul Bresson said: "The FBI does not confirm whether or not we are involved in an alleged ongoing operational activity. In all cases, FBI operations are conducted in strict accordance with established Department of Justice guidelines, FBI policy, and the law.". Rather than specifically targeted surveillance, it is also possible that the Bridgeton room is being used for a classified government project, such as data mining, with which the Pentagon... (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
Discounters, digital books test local store owners Nov 16, 2009
The ABA told the U.S. Department of Justice that such pricing is a "predatory attempt" to win control of the market for hardcover best-sellers, and that the entire book industry could be inadvertently destroyed as a result. Keeping up with markdowns by larger retailers was a big headache for Title Wave. (Anchorage Daily News)
Farmers, consumers 'milked' in New York Nov 16, 2009
"The Department of Justice is doing the right thing by sending the nation's top antitrust investigator to New York to suss out what's going on." ... "The Department of Justice is doing the right thing by sending the nation's top antitrust investigator to New York to suss out what's going on.". (New York Post -- News)
Federal prosecutor is hired for capital city Nov 16, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice has created a new position in Alaska's capital city ... The U.S. Department of Justice now has 24 assistant attorneys working in Alaska. (Anchorage Daily News)
Feds to Probe Low Milk Prices Paid to NY Farmers Nov 16, 2009
"The Department of Justice is doing the right thing by sending the nation's top antitrust investigator to New York to suss out what's going on.". Schumer requested the action in August. (ABC News -- Wire)
Woman sentenced on illegal weapons charge Nov 15, 2009
This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which seeks to prevent violent crime through enforcement of federal firearms laws, such as the law prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms. More Headlines. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Push to contain area jail expenses pays off Nov 15, 2009
In January, a team from the National Institute on Corrections with the U.S. Department of Justice came to McLean County to review data and offer suggestions on how local officials could deal with the jail population. The consultants recommended county officials examine why people are held in the jail as a means of understanding the jail census. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Why Does the U.S. Want to Seize Mosques? Nov 15, 2009
In what appears to be an unprecedented move, the Department of Justice filed notice in federal court in New York on Thursday that the government intends to seize the assets of a foundation with alleged links to the Iranian government, including several mosques around the country. Related. (Time.com)
Feds to open U.S. Attorney's office in Juneau Nov 15, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice has created a new federal prosecutor position in Juneau and plans to open a U.S. Attorney's office in the capital next month ... The U.S. Department of Justice has created a new federal prosecutor position in Juneau and plans to open a U.S. Attorney's office in the capital next month ... The U.S. Department of Justice now has 24 assistant attorneys working in Alaska. (Juneau Empire)
City Council Meets Monday Nov 15, 2009
The Cameron city council will consider ordinances pertaining to the international building code, the lease of rental house property near the airport and an equitable sharing agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice according to the tentative agenda for the Nov. 16 meeting. Also on the agenda is a proclamation designating Nov. 29 through Dec. 5 as Cameron, Missouri Financial Literacy Week. (Cameron Observer, MO)
* 9/11 plotters to be tried in New York Nov 15, 2009
US Attorney General Eric Holder announces that five men accused of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks will be tried in a New York civilian court, at the Department of Justice in Washington on Friday. PHOTO: AFP. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Google submits revised digital book settlement Nov 14, 2009
The modified settlement, which runs nearly 370 pages, seeks to address copyright and anti-trust objections raised by the Department of Justice and others to the original version of the complicated legal agreement. Google and the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers reached the settlement last year to a copyright infringement suit they filed against the Mountain View, California, company in 2005. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Congress Asks for Probe of Clemens Nov 14, 2009
"Our only conclusion is that significant questions have been raised about Mr. Clemens's truthfulness and that further investigation by the Department of Justice is warranted.". Clemens becomes the second professional baseball player referred this year by the committee to the Justice Department for an investigation into possible perjury, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment if convicted. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
Holder: Gitmo 9/11 suspects heading to NY trial Nov 14, 2009
"The fact that the Department of Justice has not seen fit to make these fundamental protections available to Omar Khadr, who was fifteen years old when he was detained in Afghanistan as a child soldier and has been locked away in Guantanamo ever since, is, quite frankly, devastating and shocking to me personally. I had thought this administration was better than that.". (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
WilmerHale partner named Intel general counsel Nov 14, 2009
He served in the U.S. Department of Justice from October 1996 to January 2001 as acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Antitrust Division and as principal deputy assistant attorney general. Melamed has also been an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
A CNET Conversation with Eric Schmidt Nov 14, 2009
But he continued to downplay the magnitude of the changes that are being negotiated between Google, groups representing authors and publishers, and the Department of Justice. We'll likely see later today just how much Google was forced to change, and whether or not Schmidt's view that little will change is accurate. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
Research and Markets: This Essential Report on Broadcasting in the Philippines is Now Available Nov 14, 2009
CASBAA announced in January 2006 that it had filed 12 copyright infringement actions with the Department of Justice in Manila against Maguindanao Skycable, a CATV operator based in Cotabato City. Maguindanao Skycable was one of several cable operators raided in September 2005 by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Intellectual Property Rights Division for illegally acquiring and transmitting copyrighted programming from major broadcasting organisations. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
New York 9/11 trial ignites row Nov 14, 2009
"The Department of Justice will pursue prosecution in federal court of the five individuals accused of conspiring to commit the 9/11 attacks," US Attorney General Eric Holder told a news conference. "I fully expect to direct prosecutors to seek the death penalty against each of the alleged 9/11 conspirators.". (BBC News -- Americas)
SCLC Asks For Inquiry Of Death In Jail Nov 14, 2009
Roker said he was to meet with Department of Justice about the case. Previous Stories. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Former HSBC Executive Chen Ching-hsiao Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charges Nov 13, 2009
The case is Department of Justice v. Chen Ching Hsiao, DCCC 1184/2009, Hong Kong District Court No. 27. To contact the reporter on this story: in Hong Kong at. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Oracle and Sun Microsystems: Merger interruptus Nov 13, 2009
That puts them at odds with America s Department of Justice, which gave its approval to the tie-up in August. Observers now fear the outbreak of a transatlantic row over antitrust similar to the one that broke out in 2001, when Europe blocked a union between two conglomerates, General Electric (GE) and Honeywell. (The Economist)
When the law chases the Internet Nov 13, 2009
Google Inc. hasn't committed a crime, but it did argue before a federal judge in recent days that it should not be ordered to turn over some general information about personal search logs to the Department of Justice. Federal investigators say they need the information to help make a case that Web porn is a threat to children. (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
Documents say Crawford, husband being extorted Nov 13, 2009
This undated image provided by the Department of Justice shows Edis Kayalar, who was charged Thursday Nov. 12, 2009 with trying to extort 100,000 from former supermodel Cindy Crawford and her entrepreneur husband Rande Gerber over a photo of their daughter bound to a chair and gagged, authorities said ... (AP Photo/Department of Justice). (Longview Daily News, WA)
Review: No crime in disputed Wis. vets spending Nov 13, 2009
Then-Acting Secretary Ken Black asked for the Department of Justice investigation in July, saying the home purchased a $250,000 fire truck, a $183,000 packaging system for prescription drugs and $209,000 in related storage systems without approval from lawmakers. He also questioned two $25,000 donations the home made to a local technical college. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Family Hurt in Texas Pipeline Explosion Files Suit Nov 13, 2009
5 million fine as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and pipeline safety regulators involving an explosion near Carlsbad, N.M., in 2000 that killed 12 members of a family who were camped near the pipeline. The corporation also committed to spending $86 million to modify the 10,000-mile pipeline system. (ABC News -- Wire)
Padilla honored at parade Nov 13, 2009
and the Department of Justice at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth. Padilla was active in American Legion Byron H. Mehl Post 23, Veterans of Foreign Wars George Edward White Post 56, the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Voiture No. 1163 40 et 8, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association; American Association of Retired Persons, St. Joseph's Men Society, and the Federal Prison Retirees Association. (Leavenworth Lamp, KS)
Read: John F. Timoney Chief of Police resignation letter Nov 12, 2009
As a result of internal reforms we implemented, we were the first police department in the nation to get a full clean bill of health from the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice. We have brought this department back up to a level of National and International recognition. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
$10 million claim filed over Kennewick police shooting Nov 12, 2009
The case initially was being investigated by the Benton County Sheriff's Office but was taken over by the U.S. Department of Justice and is being handled by the FBI.. While federal officials wouldn't discuss specifics of the case, they have said civil rights issues can be raised in an officer-involved shooting where there are claims of excessive use of force. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Baumann tosses his hat in the ring for commissioner Nov 12, 2009
He thinks applying for grants through the U.S. Department of Justice could be one option for funding extra patrol and corrections deputies. Those that should be incarcerated should stay there, Baumann said. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
