Government

Federal Law Bans Texas Prison Plan to Jam Cell Phones, State AG Says

Seeking to block inmates from using smuggled cell phones, Texas prison officials were planning a test later this week of a a technique to jam cell phone transmissions without affecting legitimate prison and emergency communications. “But the demonstration was summarily canceled Monday after Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott told them…

Dec 16, 2008 6:49 PM CST

Gov Hires ‘Courtroom Bulldog’ as Ill. House Launches Impeachment

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has hired well-known criminal defense lawyer Ed Genson to represent him. The Associated Press calls Genson a “courtroom bulldog” while ABC7 describes him as “wily and pugnacious.” Genson’s clients have included former publisher Conrad Black, ex-Congressman Mel Reynolds and singer R. Kelly. “Defendants in criminal cases…

Dec 16, 2008 12:03 PM CST

Atheist Threatens Suit Over Las Vegas Wedding-Clergy Rule

Outraged to discover that Las Vegas only licenses officiants with religious affiliations, a self-avowed atheist is threatening to sue if Nevada state legislators won’t change the law to allow him to officiate. Michael Jacobson, 64, refused to say that he was anything other than an atheist, and he hence was…

Dec 15, 2008 10:27 PM CST

Senate Report Blames White House for Detainee ‘Abuse’

Contradicting Bush administration claims that harsh prisoner interrogation techniques were sought by front-line military officers in the war against terrorism, a bipartisan U.S. Senate committee report released yesterday in redacted form says White House officials, including former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, are to blame for the policy underlying mistreatment…

Dec 12, 2008 9:52 PM CST

Lawyers Seek Special Prosecutor to Probe Brevard, Fla., State Attorney’s Office

After news earlier this week that William Dillon will not be retried in a murder case for which the apparently wrongfully convicted Florida man spent 27 years in prison, defense lawyers are calling for an investigation of what they described at a news conference yesterday as prosecutorial corruption in Brevard…

Dec 12, 2008 8:55 PM CST

3 More NY Lawyers Lose Pensions; 45 Now on State’s No-Pay List

Three more Long Island lawyers are having their government pension credits or pension revoked by the state comptroller, bringing to 45 the number of New York attorneys who have had their benefits rescinded. The three allegedly were improperly listed as employees of government entities, allowing them to receive state benefits,…

Dec 12, 2008 8:28 PM CST

Ill. AG Files Motion Seeking Court Ouster of Blagojevich

Updated: Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court seeking the ouster of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Madigan is citing Rule 382, which gives the Illinois Supreme Court the power to determine the ability of the governor to serve, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. “I recognize…

Dec 12, 2008 5:24 PM CST

Extra 3 Feet on Freeway Ramp Costs Texas County $525,000

A new ramp linking a portion of Interstate 10 to a parking facility around Houston is 28 feet high. Unfortunately, a visibility easement purchased from Harris County in 2001 by a billboard owner sets a 25-foot height limit for any structures built on neighboring property. After losing a court case…

Dec 12, 2008 5:20 PM CST

No Bright Line Between Political Favors and Illegal ‘Personal Piggery’

Concerning the accusation by federal prosecutors that Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in effect, tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, it isn’t difficult to see the legal issue that is posed by such alleged conduct. But both in criminal cases and the court…

Dec 11, 2008 10:59 PM CST

Will Rezko or Tapes Prove More Damaging in Case Against Ill. Gov?

Many of the headlines about the charges against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich focus on some sensational allegations contained in a government affidavit filed in connection with his arrest. In taped conversations, the affidavit says, Blagojevich talks about making an appointment to the Senate seat once occupied by Barack Obama in…

Dec 11, 2008 12:46 PM CST

More Drama Over Ill. Gov’s Alleged Attempt to Barter Obama’s Senate Seat

A stunning federal criminal corruption case announced yesterday against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich had a chorus of politicans, including President-elect Barack Obama, calling by the end of the day today for him to resign from office, reports the New York Times. As discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, Blagojevich allegedly sought…

Dec 11, 2008 12:16 AM CST

Ohio Lawyer and University Trustee Indicted Over Real Estate Deal

A partner in an Akron, Ohio, law firm who is also a trustee of the University of Akron has been charged in a misdemeanor ethics case concerning a real estate deal that involved the university and property in which he allegedly had an interest. Jack Morrison Jr., 56, has been…

Dec 10, 2008 7:20 PM CST

Stricter Fla. Mortgage Regulation Still is Lacking, Newspaper Says

Despite a crackdown on individuals in Florida who had a significant role in writing millions of dollars worth of troubled mortgages, some of their colleagues who have been involved in the problem deals continue to ply their trade. Even though a new law bars criminals from being licensed as mortgage…

Dec 10, 2008 6:53 PM CST

Fed’l Case Against Ill. Gov Creates Unusual Issues for Judges & Lawmakers

As officials in Illinois struggle to cope with an unusual situation following the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich in a federal political corruption case yesterday, the state’s attorney general is suggesting that the Illinois Supreme Court could play a key role in determining whether he should continue in office. Lisa…

Dec 10, 2008 5:37 PM CST

Illinois AG Calls for Governor to Resign, Promises ‘Legal Steps’ If He Won’t

In a stunning day for those who follow Illinois politics, the state’s governor was arrested at his home in Chicago today and charged in a political corruption case. Then, by early this afternoon, the state’s attorney general, Lisa Madigan, was calling for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign immediately, according to…

Dec 10, 2008 12:58 AM CST