Privacy Group Sues Justice Department Over Wiretaps
“A privacy rights group sued the Justice Department on Tuesday to try to pry loose a ruling by a secret court that the Bush administration says approved its clandestine wiretapping program. The suit, if it succeeds, should answer an important question about the future of the program: whether the court will require individual warrants, with specific evidence, before allowing the government to intercept phone calls and e-mails between Americans and alleged terrorists in foreign countries.” (The San Francisco Chronicle)
Federal Judge: Padilla Ready for Trial
“Suspected Al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla is competent to stand trial on terrorism charges because he understands the case against him and has already shown himself capable of assisting in his own defense, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. The decision by U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke was a victory for the government, which has alleged in a three-count indictment that Padilla was part of a North American terrorist cell that recruited, trained and supported Islamic militants seeking to carry out acts of violence.” (The Los Angeles Times)
Conservative Group to Pay Up for 2004 Fundraising Violations
“A conservative independent group that ran millions of dollars in ads against Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004 will pay $750,000 to settle charges that it violated federal campaign laws. The penalty, announced by the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, is the third largest in the history of the commission, which regulates election money. The FEC’s six commissioners approved the settlement unanimously.” (Associated Press)
After One Week, Still No Verdict in Libby Trial
“Jurors deliberating the fate of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby asked the judge a question, figured out the answer on their own and otherwise gave no indication where they’re headed in the trial of Vice President
Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff. Thursday was to be their seventh day of considering the case that involves charges of perjury, obstruction and lying to the FBI in the Valerie Plame affair.” (Associated Press)
Former Ky. Gov. Accused of Strategic Pardoning
“Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher pardoned members of his staff in the midst of a patronage probe to try to keep the investigation from incriminating anyone in the governor’s office, Lt. Gov. Steve Pence told a newspaper. ‘I’m quite confident that there was a fear about how high it would go up in this administration,’ Pence told the Lexington Herald-Leader in a story published Wednesday, two days after Pence endorsed a rival to Fletcher’s re-election bid.” (Associated Press)
Republicans Aiming to Knock Down Jefferson Appointment
“Republicans plan to force a floor vote on Rep. William Jefferson’s move to the Homeland Security Committee in an unprecedented maneuver to force Democrats to go on the record supporting their embattled colleague who is the target of a federal bribery investigation.” (The Politico)
Rep. to Justice Department: Return My Papers
“Lawyers for Democratic Rep. William Jefferson asked a federal appeals court Wednesday to force the Bush administration to return all documents that were seized during an FBI raid last year on the congressman’s office. In their 52-page request, lawyers for Jefferson, D-La., argued that the Justice Department violated Congress’ right to withhold certain information from the executive branch when it conducted the unprecedented 18-hour search last May 20-21.” (Associated Press)
Scandals Make Mark on Alaska Lawmakers
After last year saw an FBI on the offices of six Alaska lawmakers and questions of ties to Veco oil company, legislators have taken numerous steps to avoid crossing ethics violations. (Anchorage Daily News)