Prosecutors

DA Says Judgeships Were Bought

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes says a former judge convicted of bribery last week could help prove longtime rumors that judges have had to pay to obtain judgeships. The New York Law Journal quotes Hynes as saying ex-Judge Gerald Garson and a former assemblyman “have information about the system…

Apr 23, 2007 12:36 PM CDT

Walls Breaking Down Between WH and DOJ, Hearings Reveal

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week highlighted a policy shift in his administration that gave White House officials increased access to the Justice Department, according to an analysis in Legal Times. Former Attorney General Janet Reno had issued a memo in 1994 that limited…

Apr 23, 2007 12:19 PM CDT

7th Circuit Criticizes Baseless Wis. Prosecution

In the latest salvo in the ongoing clash over the apparent political purge of eight U.S. attorneys, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a written opinion (PDF) today in a case that some see as presenting the flip side of the issue. The 14-page opinion, authored by Judge…

Apr 20, 2007 9:59 PM CDT

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