Government

Calif. Judge Removed from Bench Because of Expense Issue

A former prosecutor serving as an Orange County, Calif., judge must be removed from office, the state Commission on Judicial Performance has decided in a 7-3 ruling made public yesterday. The panel said in its opinion that Superior Court Judge Kelly MacEachern “engaged in willful misconduct” by seeking government reimbursement…

Jun 27, 2008 2:57 PM CDT

Attorney for Sect Teen Refuses to Testify in Texas Grand Jury Hearing

A Texas grand jury apparently investigating alleged sexual abuse of girls by a polygamous religious sect reportedly tried to call an attorney for one 16-year-old, Natalie Malonis, to testify yesterday. But Malonis refused, citing attorney-client privilege, which led to an interruption in the San Angelo grand jury hearing as Judge…

Jun 26, 2008 6:06 PM CDT

Lawyer Under Armed Guard as Grand Jury Hears Texas Sect Case

A court-appointed lawyer for a 16-year-old member of a polygamous religious sect was reportedly under armed guard today as she arrived for a Texas grand jury hearing in an ongoing investigation of alleged abuse of teen and pre-teen girls by members of the sect. Attorney Natalie Malonis apparently was representing…

Jun 25, 2008 10:46 PM CDT

If Not Gitmo, NIMBY, Senators Say; Detainee Not Yet Told of Appellate Win

After an appellate court ruling that a military prisoner held for more than six years without trial was improperly classified as an “enemy combatant,” the closure of the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay—as called for by the presumptive presidential candidates for both major political parties—appears likely. But where should…

Jun 25, 2008 9:59 PM CDT

Columnist Art Buchwald’s ‘Sick’ Humor Didn’t Amuse the FBI

For nearly two decades, the FBI tracked Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist Art Buchwald, compiling a 239-page dossier on his activities. Its conclusion: Although Buchwald’s humor wasn’t amusing to the FBI’s longtime director, J. Edgar Hoover, who apparently requested the investigation, Buchwald hadn’t committed any crimes, according to CBS News. The…

Jun 25, 2008 9:42 PM CDT

Bill to Ban DOJ Privilege Attack on Corps. Will Pass, Backers Predict

A growing weight of support for federal legislation that seeks to curtail a controversial Justice Department practice of requiring corporations to waive attorney-client privilege has reportedly persuaded backers that it is likely to pass, sooner or later. The bill, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, is…

Jun 25, 2008 8:04 PM CDT

Sex Offender Computer Search Law is Unconstitutional, Judge Says

A federal judge yesterday struck down a major portion of a revised Indiana sex offender registry law, saying that the state went too far in requiring that convicted sex offenders, after they serve their sentences and any parole or probation, agree to have their computers and Internet use monitored. Siding…

Jun 25, 2008 5:40 PM CDT

Judge a Reluctant Ref in Landmark Battle Over White House Subpoenas

Asked by Congressional lawyers yesterday to require the White House to comply with House Judiciary Committee subpoenas of two high-level aides, Federal District Court Judge John Bates was a reluctant referee in the landmark court battle. “Whether I rule for the executive branch or I rule for the legislative branch,…

Jun 24, 2008 8:08 PM CDT

Ex-Prosecutor: DOJ Destroyed My Career

Ryan Rainey admittedly broke a rule when he was a star federal prosecutor, and paid a high price for doing so. In 2005, he resigned, later pleading guilty to criminal charges. They related to failing to inform his bosses at the Department of Justice about applying for work as a…

Jun 24, 2008 6:37 PM CDT

32 Ex-US Attorneys Ask Senate to Bolster Corporate Attorney-Client Privilege

Adding, for the first time, insider Justice Department protests to a growing weight of concern about the McNulty memo, a bipartisan group of 32 former U.S. attorneys has sent a letter asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote for a bill that would shore up attorney-client protections for corporations. At…

Jun 23, 2008 8:40 PM CDT

High Court to Hear ‘Price Squeeze’ Antitrust Case that Split FTC and SG

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a case that tests the antitrust “price squeeze” doctrine in a case against a unit of AT&T. The issue has divided the government, with the Federal Trade Commission supporting the theory and the Justice Department opposing it. Several Internet providers had sued…

Jun 23, 2008 5:46 PM CDT

Lawsuit Seeks to Bar South Carolina’s ‘I Believe’ License Plates

A legal group is seeking an injunction to bar production of license plates in South Carolina that feature a cross and the phrase “I believe.” Americans United for Separation of Church and State contends the license plates are unconstitutional, the New York Times reports. The group’s executive director, Barry Lynn,…

Jun 20, 2008 3:48 PM CDT

Judge Blocks Ouster of Seven Lawyers from D.C. AG’s Office

A judge in Washington, D.C., has issued a temporary restraining order to block the ouster of seven lawyers from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office. Judge Melvin Wright said a collective bargaining agreement requires fired employees to be given notice of poor performance and an opportunity to improve, the…

Jun 20, 2008 2:29 PM CDT

Gonzales Axed Anti-Torture DOJ Lawyer, But Promised US Attorney Job, ABC Says

In Congressional testimony that helps connect two controversial legal issues in the Bush administration, a former high-level Justice Department lawyer says he was asked to leave after he wrote a memo opposing harsh interrogation techniques he considered torture but was promised a job as a U.S. Attorney by former Attorney…

Jun 19, 2008 11:16 PM CDT

Meet Michael Smyth, ‘Social Conscience of the City Law Firms’

Michael Smyth’s practice focus isn’t what most lawyers would expect of a partner at a London-based mega-firm. But the 51-year-old Clifford Chance litigator is described by the London Times as “the social conscience of the city law firms” in a lengthy profile of Smyth and his entrepreneurial views about melding…

Jun 19, 2008 3:35 PM CDT