Afternoon Briefs: Government agency says withholding Ukrainian aid broke law; dog banned from trial
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GAO report concludes White House violated law by withholding Ukraine aid
The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office has concluded the White House broke the law when it withheld funds for security assistance allocated to Ukraine by Congress. The GAO found a violation of the Impoundment Control Act. A spokesperson for the White House budget office disagreed with the GAO conclusion. (The New York Times, the Washington Post, GAO press release, GAO decision)
Defendant can’t bring his dog to trial, judge rules
An Indiana judge has denied a Portage man’s request to bring his dog to his misdemeanor trial later this month on charges of resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct. Ryan Crum says he suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, and his dog helps him cope. But Judge Jeffrey Clymer said Tuesday he found no evidence the animal was certified as a service dog or trained by a certified individual. (NWI.com)
Lawyer’s suit claims Indiana agency paid more to her male replacement
A former deputy general counsel for the Indiana Department of Child Services claims the agency paid more money to her male replacement after her involuntary transfer, then fired her when she filed a civil service complaint. The lawyer, Dianna Mejia, has filed a Jan. 14 federal lawsuit alleging discrimination and violation of the Equal Pay Act. (RTV 6, Law.com)
Rocker Meat Loaf sues Hyatt over stage fall
Rock singer Meat Loaf has sued the Hyatt hotel chain in Texas state court after falling from a stage during a question-and-answer session with fans at the Hyatt Regency DFW in May 2019. Meat Loaf, 72, had appeared during the Texas Frightfest Weekend, and also named the convention organizer as a defendant. The suit says the defendants hung curtains at the rear of the stage in a way that hid where the stage ended, causing him to fall when walking near the curtains. Meat Loaf, whose legal name is Michael Aday, spent 42 days in the hospital and says he is unable to perform because of his injuries. (Courthouse News Service, the Dallas Morning News)
