Government

Hard-Fought Depo Didn’t Cross Ethical Line, Grievance Panel Finds

After many years in practice, Andrew O’Keefe had a clean disciplinary record. But a hard-fought deposition put the Hartford, Conn., defense attorney in the hot seat after a Manchester woman contended that he tried to “harass, intimidate and embarrass” her with questions at the session. A local grievance panel determined…

Aug 30, 2010 9:10 PM CDT

Holdout Juror in Blagojevich Case Says Evidence Showed ‘Shades of Gray’

JoAnn Chiakulas was not favorably impressed with impeached ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, finding him “narcissistic” and “rambling.” But the 67-year-old grandmother nonetheless stood her ground during 14 days of jury deliberation in his political corruption trial, refusing, reportedly as the sole holdout, to find him guilty on 23 of the…

Aug 27, 2010 5:49 PM CDT

Germany Ponders Possible Ban on Using Facebook Info for Hiring Decisions

As part of a new draft law that sets standards to protect worker privacy, Germany is considering a ban that would prevent employers from using social networking sites such as Facebook to make hiring decisions. Employers could still search the Internet for information about applicants and access public information on…

Aug 26, 2010 5:51 PM CDT

Chicago Suburb Won’t Ban Eye-Rolling After All

People who roll their eyes will be safe from ejection from city council meetings in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst. A proposed revision of the municipal code clarifies the kind of disorderly conduct that can lead to ouster, and nonverbal action—including eye rolling—isn’t on the list of banned conduct, according…

Aug 26, 2010 10:30 AM CDT

After Katrina, Some New Orleans Police Say They Were Told They Could Shoot Looters

In an order that apparently contravened state law or created dangerous ambiguity, some New Orleans police say they were told after Hurricane Katrina either that they could shoot looters or do what they needed to do to “take back the city,” reports Pro Publica. Under federal constitutional standards and Louisiana…

Aug 25, 2010 12:29 AM CDT

Zombies Win $165K Settlement for Arrests Over Consumerism Protest

Seven individuals who were arrested while dressed as zombies then jailed for two days after they participated in a 2006 street protest of “mindless” consumerism have agreed to accept a $165,000 settlement from the city of Minneapolis that includes their attorney’s fees. Police said they were carrying simulated weapons of…

Aug 24, 2010 11:22 PM CDT

California Town Abandons Facebook Page Amid Legal Concerns

The city of Redondo Beach, Calif., is abandoning its Facebook page after hearing about potential legal problems. The city council voted to ditch the page last week after City Attorney Mike Webb outlined his concerns about the First Amendment and state legal requirements, the Daily Breeze reports. The legal issues…

Aug 24, 2010 10:30 AM CDT

Lawyer Who Wore Wire to Build Case Against Claimed Client: ‘I Had to Do It’

Was attorney Terry Haddock acting as Shannon Williams’ lawyer during six months of jail visits in 2009? Or was Haddock, at least as Williams saw it, exploiting his attorney status to help his claimed client run a marijuana ring? That appears to be the central issue in a federal court…

Aug 20, 2010 8:35 PM CDT

City’s Graffiti Suit Seeks to Force Parent to Pay for Damage Done by Son

In a lawsuit that may be the first of its kind in Texas, a town is suing to try to force the parent of a teenager to pay for damage done by his son’s graffiti. The suit by the city of Corpus Christi seeks to obtain $7,000, plus attorney’s fees…

Aug 19, 2010 11:09 PM CDT

Lawyer Conducting Maricopa Ethics Probe Says He Was Tailed

Private investigators are the stuff of movie legend and real-life divorce battles, but apparently they are also being used to track a lawyer conducting an ethics probe in Arizona’s Maricopa County. The Arizona Republic has the latest twist in ongoing controversies involving onetime County Attorney Andrew Thomas, who teamed up…

Aug 19, 2010 5:34 PM CDT

Home of Phila. Traffic Court Judge Is Raided by Feds

A traffic court judge was among three prominent Philadelphia individuals raided by the feds at home or at work yesterday. Judge Robert Mulgrew, whose home was searched in connection with the joint FBI and Internal Revenue Service probe, could not be reached for comment. But unidentified sources told the Philadelphia…

Aug 19, 2010 5:22 PM CDT

US Appeals Court Rules Roadside Crosses for Fallen Cops Violate Constitution

A federal appeals court has ruled that roadside crosses erected to honor fallen highway patrol officers in Utah violate the establishment clause. The Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in a suit filed by an atheists group, according to stories in the Salt Lake Tribune, the Christian…

Aug 19, 2010 3:14 PM CDT

Condo Owners with Religious Objections to Tree-Killing Risk Losing Unit

A Chicago-area mother and daughter risk losing their condo in a tax sale because of their objections to an alley paving project that violated their religious beliefs. Padma Rao and her 72-year-old mother refused to pay the $635 tax assessment for the 2007 project, resulting in a legal fight that…

Aug 19, 2010 2:06 PM CDT

For the First Time, the SEC Sues a State for Securities Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission has sued and settled with the state of New Jersey in the agency’s first-ever securities fraud case filed against a state. The SEC accused New Jersey of misleading bond investors about underfunded state pensions, according to stories in the Wall Street Journal, the New York…

Aug 19, 2010 12:55 PM CDT

Process Server & Office Manager Are Criminally Charged re Alleged False Filings for Debt Collector

A process server who formerly worked as a Las Vegas police officer and an office manager for his company have been criminally charged concerning dozens of allegedly false filings in court cases in Nevada. Maurice Carroll, 41, is accused of filing 17 false affidavits of service in May and June.…

Aug 18, 2010 9:02 PM CDT