Category: Uncategorized

DOJ Nominee Mukasey Subject of Marshal Complaint

Former Judge Michael Mukasey was the subject of a complaint by marshals while he was receiving years of security protection. The complaint also appears to refer to Judge Thomas Duffy, who also handled terrorism cases in New York. It is not clear which allegations refer to Mukasey and which refer to Duffy from having marshals carry their grocery to demanding their first class seats on airplanes to generally treating them as servants. For the full story, click here

Senator Stevens and Congressional Corruption: Where were Alaskan voters?

For years, Senator Ted Stevens has been the poster boy of congressional corruption. I have written for years about his very public effort to enrich himself and his family. He now appears to be in serious trouble, but the question is why Alaskan voters allowed him to continue so long after media and columnists raised such issues over and over again. For a prior column on Stevens, click here .

First Amendment: Court upholds firing of cop involved in after-hours porn site

In a case with some interesting first amendment implications, a police officer has been fired after the department learned that he ran an explicit porn website that showed him and his wife. The Ninth Circuit held that an officer could be fired for “sleazy” conduct — rather than protecting his individual right to engage in lawful forms of expressions. It is another version of the porn internet legal fight that has been raging. The Supreme Court has protected the right of porn sites over federal statutes. For the story, click here

Latest Product Liability Claim: Popcorn Lung

For many years, it has been suspected that workers at factories making microwave buttered popcorn have a higher risk of lung cancer. Called “popcorn lung,” this condition has now been found in at least one consumer. Denver doctors have notified the government that the case involves an individual who made the popcorn several times a day. While this is a lot of popcorn consumption, it is not a great deal of exposure when you consider most risks found in defective products. The suspected culprit is the diacetyl in butter flavorings, which is an approved flavor from the FDA. This is now shaping up into a classic products case and the industry will have to decide what steps to take after being notified of the potential dangers to consumers. For the full story, click here

Helmsley Family and State Law Bar Fulfillment of Will

It appears that the will of Leona Helmsley may go unfulfilled in critical parts. State law prevents Helmsley’s dog from being buried with her. Helmsley left the eight-year-old Maltese $12 million to live on — an amount viewed widely as obscene, particularly after Helmsley’s notorious treatment of employees, cutting off family members, and financially ruining her son’s widow. Now, her brother has indicated that he will not comply with the demand to take care of the dog.

Legal Challenge to Craig Charges is Valid — But Likely Too Late

Sen. Craig’s suggestion that he is considering re-visiting his plea with the assistance of counsel is not without merit — it is only fatally delayed. There is much to challenge in this arrest. The officer was relying on highly interpretive conclusions about his actions. Had he challenged the arrest, he could have argued that the evidence did not establish the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
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The Killer of Beethoven Finally Uncovered?

Reserachers believe that they have finally uncovered who killed Beethoven and the culprit is Andreas Wawruch, his doctor.

Beethoven died in 1827 at the age 57 and there has been long speculation over the cause or even whether he was murdered. Now, it appears that his doctor gave him lethal levels of lead in his treatment.

For the full story, click here