Prosecutors

Government Proffer Details Mob Business

The Chicago Tribune says prosecution documents unsealed yesterday reveal the “gritty business” of the Chicago mob as it shook down businesses, made juice loans, ran gambling rings and ordered hits on enemies. Ruling on a motion filed by the newspaper, U.S. District Judge James Zagel of Chicago ordered the document…

Apr 20, 2007 4:20 PM CDT

‘Dark Forces’ Can’t Stop Colombian AG

The attorney general of Colombia tells the Miami Herald he is “committed to this whole process of opening up cases and unearthing the truth.” Attorney General Mario Iguarán has filed cases against influential politicians and military officials who are undermining Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, the newspaper reports. Prosecutions allege officials…

Apr 20, 2007 2:30 PM CDT

What Now? Gonzales Failing, But Only Bush Has Firing Power

Yesterday’s all-day hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the eight U.S. attorneys allegedly fired for political reasons struck many observers as a blistering bipartisan attack. It not only failed to restore U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ fast-dwindling credibility but left him looking worse than ever as he repeatedly equivocated…

Apr 20, 2007 10:01 AM CDT

Qwest CEO Convicted

A jury on Thursday convicted former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio of 19 counts of insider trading, the Denver Post reports. U.S. attorney Troy Eid spoke in a press conference after the conviction. “The jury has spoken,” he said. “This is an overwhelming determination of guilt. Nineteen counts. Each count carries…

Apr 20, 2007 3:33 AM CDT

Hearing: Gonzales Says Firings Justified

Fighting to save his job, embattled U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales today told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had not fired eight prosecutors for political reasons. “I would not do that, I would never do that,” he said. In a case-by-case review, Gonzales—in what one committee member termed a “reconfirmation”…

Apr 19, 2007 8:06 PM CDT

Multiple Senators Ask AG to Resign

Under often heated questioning from Senators, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales held firm on his stance that the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys were proper, though poorly handled.

Apr 19, 2007 3:44 PM CDT

Gonzales to Testify Today

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is expected to testify today that he may have been imprecise in statements about the firings of eight U.S attorneys, but he never intended to mislead the American people.

Apr 19, 2007 12:00 PM CDT

CA Bills Seek to Prevent Wrongful Convictions

Criminal justice experts in a panel appointed by the state senate are urging the California legislature to pass new laws to help reduce the number of innocent defendants charged and convicted of crimes. Proposed bills they recommend seek to prevent false eyewitness identifications by setting standards for police lineups, eliminating…

Apr 19, 2007 1:25 AM CDT

Exonerated Duke Defendant: D.A. Should Resign

One of three former Duke lacrosse players declared earlier this week to be innocent of accusations of having raped a stripper at a team party is calling for the resignation of the Durham, N.C., district attorney who initially handled the prosecution. Colin Finnerty, through his lawyer, has asked state officials…

Apr 18, 2007 8:41 PM CDT

Cuomo Makes Mark in First 100 Days

New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has assembled an experienced team of lawyers and made industry oversight a priority, the Washington Post says in a story analyzing his first 100 days in office. Cuomo’s probe of the student loan industry has set the agenda for Congress and industry regulators,…

Apr 18, 2007 2:48 PM CDT

House Eyes Immunity for ex-DOJ Aide

The House Judiciary Committee is considering whether to grant limited immunity to Monica Goodling, who was White House liaison for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Bloomberg News reports. Goodling has cited the Fifth Amendment in refusing to testify before Congress about the firings of eight U.S. attorneys. Judiciary Committee Chairman John…

Apr 18, 2007 2:26 PM CDT

Ex-Prosecutor Praises Duke Lawyers

The defense lawyers who skillfully represented three former Duke University lacrosse players declared innocent this week of raping a stripper at a team party remind all of us why we need defense lawyers, said Randy E. Barnett, a former Cook County, Illinois prosecutor. In an opinion piece in today’s Wall…

Apr 17, 2007 4:22 PM CDT

Reviews Promised for Gang Lists

Los Angeles will make it easier for gang members to be removed from injunctions that restrict their activities. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced yesterday that he has established formal hearings in his office to review removal requests, the Los Angeles Times reports. The injunctions are key in the city’s fight…

Apr 17, 2007 2:25 PM CDT

Ex-Chief of Staff Calls Gonzales ‘Inaccurate’

In an interview with congressional investigators, the former chief of staff for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said his former boss was “inaccurate” or “at least not complete” when he said he did not discuss the firings of eight U.S. attorneys. D. Kyle Sampson’s statements were released yesterday, the New York…

Apr 17, 2007 1:15 PM CDT

Gonzales Hearing Off, Due to Va. Massacre

U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales’ scheduled hearing Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee has been postponed because of the massacre today at Virginia Tech. According to the latest news reports, at least 33 were killed and at least another 30 were injured in two separate on-campus shooting sprees. The death toll…

Apr 16, 2007 11:45 PM CDT