Government

Among Purged N.Y. Voters: Actor Tim Robbins, Who Protests

Those who had trouble casting their ballots today due to pre-election cleanup of the list of registered voters apparently included at least one well-known name: Actor Tim Robbins, perhaps best-known for his role in Bull Durham (and subsequent longtime relationship with co-star Susan Sarandon). Robbins, 50, was sitting in a…

Nov 4, 2008 9:30 PM CST

Chicago Attorney and Ex-Alderman Ed Vrdolyak Pleads in Kickback Case

A well-known Chicago attorney who is a former longtime city alderman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud. The case, which involves a claimed kickback paid to put a real estate deal on a fast track, was to have gone to trial this week. “Edward Vrdolyak said he…

Nov 4, 2008 9:07 PM CST

1 Voter Strips to Bra, Another Walks in Texas T-Shirt Disputes

At least two women voters in the Texas area found out only after they got to their polling places about the sweeping scope of a state law banning election paraphernalia, at least as those applying the law are interpreting it. One woman stripped to her bra during early voting, after…

Nov 4, 2008 7:15 PM CST

Keanu Reeves Cleared in Paparazzo Suit

Actor Keanu Reeves was found not to be liable for a photographer’s injuries last year after the paparazzo apparently got too close to his upscale vehicle. Alison Silva “claimed he was knocked to the ground and injured his wrist in March 2007 when he was trying to take pictures of…

Nov 4, 2008 6:42 PM CST

Obama’s Grandma’s Early Ballot Still Counts, Despite Her Death

An absentee ballot cast by Barack Obama’s grandmother prior to her death Sunday still counts in her home state of Hawaii. However, some states, including South Dakota, have a different rule and would have voided the vote by the Democratic presidential nominee’s grandmother, had she voted there, reports Slate. “Absentee…

Nov 4, 2008 6:20 PM CST

Colo. Tribe Enforces 1874 Treaty, Expands Hunting to Public Land

A group of Southern Ute tribesmen from southwest Colorado are about to take a historic journey. It’s not because they need to look elsewhere to find healthy game to hunt, but they are venturing off their designated reservation to hunt on public land to enforce rights bestowed them under a…

Nov 3, 2008 11:32 PM CST

In Hard-Fought Presidential Race, More Ballot Battles are Likely

If the presidential ballot count in Ohio is close on Tuesday, lawyers who specialize in election law are likely to busy next week. Court challenges are expected in hard-fought states, especially over provisional ballots and questionable voter-registration status, and Ohio appears likely to be front-and-center in the legal fray, reports…

Nov 1, 2008 12:27 AM CDT

Top Fla. Court Ups Lawyer Pay From $8 to $200/Hour in Worker’s Comp Case

Overruling an appeals court decision that a 2003 Florida law limiting the amount of attorney fees in worker’s compensation cases is constitutional, the state supreme court said the appellate court was looking at the issue the wrong way. Without reaching the constitutionality question, the top court read several statutory provisions…

Oct 31, 2008 6:34 PM CDT

Ex-LA Prosecutor’s $1.5M Award Axed; She Was the Problem, Appeals Panel Says

A California appeals court has overturned a $1.5 million discrimination verdict awarded to a former Los Angeles prosecutor. Lynn Magnandonovan claimed she was retaliated against by City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and other supervisory employees before being wrongfully terminated in 2002, after she complained of sex discrimination and blew the whistle…

Oct 31, 2008 6:13 PM CDT

Legal Bill Battle Heats Up Over $1.7M Texas Arrest Settlement

Two brothers who contend the Texas lawyer who won them a $1.7 million settlement in a wrongful arrest case is overcharging them have taken the bill battle to the next level. After suing their former attorney, Lloyd Kelley, earlier this month, Erik and Sean Ibarra have complained to the state…

Oct 31, 2008 3:44 PM CDT

Calif. Prosecutors Seek State Bar Help to Fight Mexican Drug War Spilling into US

A raging drug war in Mexico isn’t just hurting people there—including police officers, judges and lawyers affected by the ongoing violence. It’s also spilling over into the United States, as the same drug gangs responsible for killings, kidnappings and other related crime there travel across the border to ply their…

Oct 29, 2008 9:24 PM CDT

2007 Law Grad Takes Unusual Law Enforcement Job

Last Thursday, Jim Horton was sworn in as a member of the New York state bar. Two days earlier, the 2007 Albany Law School graduate was also sworn in as a New York state trooper, reports the Albany Times Union. Although some troopers earn law degrees, which can be very…

Oct 29, 2008 9:09 PM CDT

After Major ICE Raid, Iowa Hits Kosher Meat Plant With $10M in Labor Fines

A kosher meatpacking plant in Iowa has been hit with not quite $10 million in fines by the state labor commission for alleged violation of wage laws after a May raid on the plant by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in which about 390 people were arrested. At…

Oct 29, 2008 6:58 PM CDT

Detroit Mayor Jailed, Will Lose Law License—and Is Still Under Investigation

After his sentencing yesterday in Wayne County Circuit Court, a former Detroit mayor characterized by Judge David Groner as “arrogant and defiant” began serving concurrent 120-day jail terms for obstruction of justice and assaulting a sheriff’s officer trying to serve a subpoena. Kwame Kilpatrick also signed an agreement that he…

Oct 29, 2008 5:36 PM CDT

Spying in Mexican AG’s Office Could Be Linked to US DEA

Spying on behalf of a major drug trafficking cartel is still ongoing at the Mexican attorney general’s office, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer suspects, even after five officials there have been arrested. Meanwhile, an unidentified former U.S. Embassy employee is telling Mexican officials in Washington, D.C., that he leaked…

Oct 28, 2008 5:40 PM CDT