Prosecutors

Lt. Col. E-mail in Iraq Case ‘Adulterous in Nature’

The case against a top Army commander accused of misconduct that could put him in prison for life, if convicted, began to unfold today as an Article 32 hearing began in Baghdad against Lt. Col. William H. Steele. Steele, a 51-year-old reservist from Virginia, is accused of aiding the enemy…

Apr 30, 2007 8:27 PM CDT

Spring Brings Fashion Police Blitz in Iran

Men, is the top button of your dress shirt undone? Women, are you wearing a bright-colored scarf? That could mean the fashion police are hot on your trail, if you happen to be on a public street in Iran. Spring is traditionally the time for amped-up enforcement of the Islamic…

Apr 30, 2007 8:05 PM CDT

Hate Crimes Hard to Prove, Rarely Prosecuted

Nationwide, hate crimes are not reported as often as one might think, and they are rarely prosecuted. Although some say this reflects a racial bias, it can also be difficult to prove hate crimes. The number of reported cases can vary widely. Louisiana and Mississippi, for instance, reported three and…

Apr 30, 2007 6:14 PM CDT

Ex-DOJ Atty Scrutinized for Abramoff Dealings

Investigators are looking at contacts between a former Justice Department lawyer and a colleague of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The investigation involves dealings between ex-DOJ lawyer Robert E. Coughlin II and Abramoff colleague Kevin A. Ring, the Washington Post reports. The Post reported that Ring treated Coughlin to sporting events with…

Apr 30, 2007 5:51 PM CDT

Experts Re-evaluate Shaken-Baby Evidence

Some experts are questioning the validity of shaken-baby syndrome. One of them is Robert Huntington III, the Washington Post reports. He is a forensic pathologist who helped convict Audrey Edmunds in the shaking death of the child she babysat. Critics contend shaking alone cannot cause death without other signs of…

Apr 30, 2007 5:36 PM CDT

Political Appointees Won’t Pick DOJ Interns

Responsibility for hiring some new lawyers and interns at the U.S. Justice Department will return to career prosecutors. An internal memo announced that political appointees will be removed from the hiring process. It was issued last Thursday following allegations that jobs went to well-connected conservative candidates, the Washington Post reports.…

Apr 30, 2007 4:38 PM CDT

U.S. Aid for Colombian Probes Sought

Colombia’s top prosecutor meets with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales today as he seeks help for his investigation of links between corporations and right-wing paramilitary groups. Mario Iguaran wants to know if U.S.-based corporations funded the groups, known for death squads, drug trading and extortion, the Associated Press reports. Chiquita…

Apr 30, 2007 3:58 PM CDT

Attorney-Firing Investigator Being Investigated

A Washington Post story weighs in on the controversy surrounding the lawyer who will be leading the investigation of political influence in government decision-making. Scott J. Bloch will be investigating the administration at the same time it is investigating him for his personnel practices, the story says. Employees have accused…

Apr 30, 2007 3:44 PM CDT

Writer’s Brain Scan Part of Defense

The defense will rely on a brain scan in an attempt to show that the New York writer accused of sexually assaulting an editor had mental illness that made him unable to form the intent to commit the offense. The lawyer for former fashion columnist Peter Braunstein will introduce a…

Apr 30, 2007 2:11 PM CDT

Milberg Lawyer Challenges ‘Kickback’ Charge

A lawyer who once worked at Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman in New York is taking issue with the government’s definition of the term “kickback.” Steven G. Schulman is seeking dismissal of criminal charges against him in a motion set to be heard June 4 in Los Angeles federal court,…

Apr 30, 2007 12:32 PM CDT

Dutch Bank Negotiating Plea Deal

ABN Amro Holding NV is negotiating a deal with the Justice Department to settle an investigation into improper handling of money transfers from countries sanctioned for terrorism, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. The fine could be as high as $500 million, which would make it the largest penalty…

Apr 27, 2007 8:52 PM CDT

‘A’ Student Arrested for Essay: ‘Stab, Stab, Stab’

The assignment: “Write whatever comes to your mind. Do not judge or censor what you are writing.” The result: An ‘A’ student is arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. His essay, reports the Chicago Tribune, contained one passage that included a discussion of “shooting everyone” and “having sex with dead…

Apr 27, 2007 5:26 PM CDT

Penalty for Foreign Bribe is Largest

An oil company has agreed to pay $44 million in combined fines and penalties for bribing foreign officials, the largest penalty to date, the Justice Department has announced. Baker Hughes Services International Inc. pleaded guilty yesterday to violating anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in a deal that…

Apr 27, 2007 5:13 PM CDT

DOJ Withholds 171 Documents in Firing Probe

The U.S. Justice Department has identified 171 documents it will withhold from Congress in its probe of the firings of eight U.S. attorneys, the Washington Post reports. DOJ has already turned over 6,000 pages of materials, but refuses to release documents involving media strategy and congressional inquiries about the firings.

Apr 27, 2007 4:38 PM CDT

Investigator Predicts White House Cooperation

The head of a government watchdog agency came away from a meeting with White House counsel Fred Fielding yesterday saying he believes the administration will cooperate with his probe of political influence. Scott Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel, said the two agreed to procedures that will be…

Apr 27, 2007 3:00 PM CDT