Administrative Law

Citi to pay $7B in latest settlement of US claims that sub-par mortgages caused financial crisis

A $7 billion pact with Citigroup is the latest announced settlement of claims by the U.S. that sub-par mortgages knowingly sold by banks to unwitting investors in the form of derivative products, including Citi’s securitized loans caused the financial crisis that began in 2008, The bank will pay $4 billion…

Jul 14, 2014 4:55 PM CDT

Former top attorney says city demoted and fired her for probing $10M sewer scheme

A former top attorney with the city of San Francisco has filed a wrongful termination claim over her demotion and firing. Joanne Hoeper says she first lost her position as chief trial deputy and then her job because she investigated a sewer scheme that cost the city some $10 million…

Jul 3, 2014 3:10 PM CDT

School suspension of boy, 7, who chewed pastry into gun shape is upheld by hearing officer

The two-day school suspension last year of a 7-year-old Maryland boy who chewed a breakfast pastry into the shape of a gun during a snack break has been upheld by a hearing examiner. The 30-page ruling by the hearing examiner will now go to the Anne Arundel County Board of…

Jul 3, 2014 11:00 AM CDT

Proposed new FAA rules set stage for stricter enforcement against business use of drones

Apparently setting the stage for stricter enforcement against commercial drones and other unmanned small flying machines used in business operations, the Federal Aviation Administration has drafted new rules for “model aircraft” and is inviting public comment. Its interpretation (PDF) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 provides specific…

Jun 24, 2014 10:30 PM CDT

FCC stakes out Florida driver, seeks to fine him $48K for allegedly using cellphone jammer

It is illegal in a number of jurisdictions to use a cellphone while driving, at least if it’s not hands-free device. But it’s also illegal, based on similar safety concerns, for a driver to try to prevent fellow motorists from using cellphones by jamming their signals, the Tampa Tribune reports.…

Jun 24, 2014 8:45 PM CDT

ABA and DOJ seek retroactive application of new federal drug-sentencing guidelines

The Department of Justice on Tuesday formally announced that it would support a plan to reduce sentences for drug offenders who have not been involved in violent crimes. The DOJ is backing those who have suggested applying retroactively new reduced sentencing guidelines for drug trafficking to those who are already…

Jun 10, 2014 9:28 PM CDT

Who owns the law? Technology reignites the war over just how public documents should be

These days the smallest and most exclusive piece of real estate in Washington, D.C., is the sliver of common ground that exists between congressional Democrats and Republicans. But during a January hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee on the scope of copyright protection laws, Democrats and Republicans were in broad agreement on an issue that was seemingly settled long ago: No one can own the law.

Jun 1, 2014 10:40 AM CDT

Suit seeks USDA action on antibiotic-resistant salmonella in meat

A lawsuit filed on Wednesday seeks to prod the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take action on meat tainted with antibiotic-resistant strains of salmonella. The Center for Science in the Public Interest filed the lawsuit (PDF) on Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., according to Reuters and a press…

May 30, 2014 10:45 AM CDT

GM to pay record $35M civil penalty for delayed action on faulty ignition switches

General Motors has agreed to pay a $35 million civil penalty for delays in responding to defective ignition switches. The amount is the highest civil penalty every paid as a result of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into recall violations, according to the Washington Post and…

May 16, 2014 3:27 PM CDT

FCC advances net neutrality plan allowing websites to be charged for faster service

By a 3-2 vote the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday advanced a net neutrality plan that would allow Internet service providers to charge websites for an Internet fast lane to deliver their content, as long as the deals are commercially reasonable. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed the plan, and two…

May 15, 2014 4:07 PM CDT

Attempt to stop drivers from talking on cellphones could cost this commuter a $48K penalty

A Florida commuter who disliked drivers using their cellphones could be hit with a big fine for his attempt to stop the talking with a jamming device. The Federal Communications Commission is proposing a $48,000 forfeiture penalty for 60-year-old Jason Humphreys, report the Tampa Tribune and the Register, which links…

Apr 30, 2014 2:29 PM CDT

SCOTUS backs EPA rule tackling problem of cross-state pollution

The U.S. Supreme Court has backed the Environmental Protection Agency in its interpretation of a “Good Neighbor” provision in the Clean Air Act. In a 6-2 opinion (PDF), the court said the EPA’s cross-state air pollution rule is a reasonable interpretation of the provision, which is designed to tackle the…

Apr 29, 2014 4:07 PM CDT

Store with ‘Wake the——Up’ coffee can’t fire worker for explicit chat without warning, says judge

There’s reportedly a sign at Last Chance Market restaurant that reads: “Shirts and shoes are required, but bras and panties are optional.” Nevertheless, the boss says that he does not allow employees to tell dirty jokes at his business, and in January fired a cashier for allegedly having a sexually…

Apr 24, 2014 5:00 PM CDT

Osprey so far prevails in battle to build nest in front of traffic cam

Transportation officials in Maryland are racing against the clock and Mother Nature as they struggle to remove an osprey nest that has repeatedly been constructed on an elevated platform directly in front of a traffic camera. The bird is a federally protected species, but state officials were told by the…

Apr 23, 2014 4:30 PM CDT

New Hampshire AG seeks to fast-track hearing on county attorney’s removal

New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster has asked a judge to fast-track a hearing on his petition to remove a county attorney from office. Foster is seeking to remove veteran Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams from office over allegations of sexual harassment and mishandling funds, the Concord Monitor reports. The…

Apr 22, 2014 10:15 PM CDT