Government

Ill. Gov: I’m Not Guilty, ‘Will Fight Until I Take My Last Breath’

Responding for the first time to federal corruption charges that could result in his impeachment and have already led to widespread calls for his resignation, embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said at a press conference today that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing and “will fight until I take…

Dec 19, 2008 8:55 PM CST

Ill. Gov’s Lawyer Comes Out Swinging; State’s Top Court Nixes ‘Unfit’ Argument

An attorney representing the embattled governor of Illinois came out swinging today at a bipartisan legislative committee hearing on possible impeachment, calling the process “unfair and quite frankly illegal.” Meanwhile, the state supreme court has rejected a motion by state Attorney General Lisa Madigan seeking a determination that Gov. Rod…

Dec 18, 2008 1:37 AM CST

Federal Courts Want $14 Fee, But Delay Swearing In New Citizens

Federal courts in a number of major cities apparently are happy to get a $14.09 fee for each immigrant to whom a judge administers a citizenship oath. But several are not conducting citizenship ceremonies in a timely manner, according to a report by a government ombudsman. “In one of the…

Dec 17, 2008 6:29 PM CST

Adam Walsh Case Closed: Drifter Murdered Son of ‘Most Wanted’ Host

Updated: In a news conference this afternoon, police in Hollywood, Fla., have announced that they are closing the Adam Walsh murder case as solved. Ottis Toole, a drifter who confessed, but then recanted, concerning the 1981 abduction and murder of the 6-year-old boy is, in fact, guilty, Hollywood Police Chief…

Dec 16, 2008 8:35 PM CST

Taliban is, Increasingly, a Source of ‘Justice’ in Afghanistan

Although Afghanistan officially has government courts to settle civil disputes and rule on criminal matters, there is another option that citizens, in some cases, are pursuing in order to get swift–and, some say, fair–resolution of their claims. Rather than pay a bribe to a government judge, they would rather have…

Dec 16, 2008 7:55 PM CST

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