Administrative Law

‘Dirty’ Money Enforcement Blitz in FL

So-called dirty money is big business in Florida. And that means the state is a magnet for enforcement of federal laws banning banks from participating in money-laundering and similar schemes. ”On a proportional basis, [given] the number of institutions that Miami has, South Florida leads the country in Bank Secrecy…

Aug 8, 2007 5:08 PM CDT

Pants Judge Gets Job Warning

The administrative law judge who sued a dry cleaners for $54 million is getting an official notice that he may be out of a job. The Commission on Selection and Tenure of Administrative Law Judges in Washington, D.C., sent Roy Pearson a warning letter yesterday, the Washington Post reports. It…

Aug 8, 2007 2:09 PM CDT

Pants Judge Vote Today

The administrative law judge who unsuccessfully sued a dry cleaners for $54 million will soon learn whether a commission wants to reappoint him. Roy Pearson has had a history of combative behavior and has been a frequent critic of his employer, Washington, D.C.’s Office of Administrative Hearings, Legal Times reports.…

Aug 6, 2007 11:45 AM CDT

China Now Regulates Reincarnation

As of Sept. 1, Tibet’s exiled god-king, the Dalai Lama, may no longer reincarnate himself—or recognize the reincarnation of others—without permission from China’s communist, atheist government. That is one key provision of new regulations developed by China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs, in an effort to limit the influence of…

Aug 3, 2007 9:29 PM CDT

Final Likely Loss for ‘Pants’ Judge: His Job

An administrative law judge who became a target of international disapprobation after suing his neighborhood dry cleaners for $54 million over an allegedly botched dry-cleaning job that resulted in the loss of his suit trousers, is now poised to lose more than his pants and the case. It is becoming…

Aug 2, 2007 10:49 PM CDT

Erosion of Trust

Hawaii’s Bishop Estate: a cautionary tale of mismanagement at a charitable organization

Aug 1, 2007 11:57 AM CDT

Court Bars Longer Trucker Hours

A federal appeals court has struck down a rule that allowed truckers to drive 11 consecutive hours a day. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled yesterday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration failed to provide an adequate explanation for the 2005 rule, the Associated Press…

Jul 25, 2007 2:32 PM CDT

Mass. Judge a Quick Study on Insurance

When a former Massachusetts judge was put in charge of the state’s insurance department earlier this year, industry chiefs started worrying. Known to be a liberal Democrat, Nonnie S. Burnes also had no significant insurance experience. Now, however, they are breathing a sigh of relief. “Burnes last week shocked almost…

Jul 23, 2007 6:33 PM CDT

New Regulations for Subprime Lenders

A new regulatory pilot program for subprime lenders was announced by a group of federal and state agencies today—the eve of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s planned two-day testimony before Congress. Focusing initially on approximately a dozen “nondepository” subsidiaries of banks and thrift institutions, as well as mortgage brokers who…

Jul 17, 2007 11:01 PM CDT

New Housing Rules Hit Katrina Victims

Nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005, displaced residents from the lowest economic rungs of the region’s economic ladder are still struggling–often in communities far from home. But as many businesses desperately seek workers, and former residents fruitlessly seek…

Jul 13, 2007 2:17 AM CDT

Thrift Regulator May Set New Loan Rules

In the wake of what many consider widespread problems with American bank lending practices, a federal thrift regulator may soon introduce an aggressive set of proposed rules to curb abuses. “If adopted, the proposal would be the most aggressive regulatory response this year aimed at tightening oversight of financial institutions,…

Jul 11, 2007 11:37 PM CDT

DOT: Give Bumped Flyers More Money

Government regulators reportedly are working on new rules that could require U.S. airlines to ante up a lot more money when they “bump” ticketed passengers from overcrowded flights. Officials at the Department of Transportation are still working out details, but plan to introduce a draft rule tomorrow that would offer…

Jul 10, 2007 2:35 AM CDT

Mortgage Fraud Mess

Growing numbers of homeowners are being dragged down by questionable loans

Jul 1, 2007 10:52 PM CDT

Lawyers Advise, Clients Strategize on New ‘Issue’ Political Advertising

Lawyers who advise advocacy groups are busy this week, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday opening the door to more “issue”-oriented political advertising. The question: How far can these groups go in pre-election advertising that discusses issues but at least arguably also promotes political candidates? The Federal Election Commission,…

Jun 28, 2007 6:18 PM CDT

Will Nutty Law Result in Almond Capers?

Mike Braga doesn’t ordinarily think of himself as a potential lawbreaker. But the Madera, California, almond farmer will be faced with a legal dilemma as of Sept. 1. Either he stops selling unpasteurized almonds, except for any customers who might wish to buy organic almonds from a small farm stand,…

Jun 27, 2007 6:50 PM CDT