The Antoin "Tony" Rezko trial has focused attention on a "vaguely worded" e-mail that alludes to Barack Obama's role in empowering a state health planning board that Rezko allegedly packed with associates - many of whom made political contributions to Obama. At the time that the e-mail was written, the board was set to expire and Obama was chairman of the Illinois Senate’s health committee. (New York Times)

The Washington Monthly features 37 short essays on torture. Though the contributors are from across the political spectrum, the unifying message of the articles" is, "simply, Stop." (Washington Monthly)

A new report from Human Rights First, entitled "Tortured Justice" criticizes "the use of evidence tainted by torture and other inhuman treatment" in the cases against detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. The report also states that the use of such evidence is "tainting the legitimacy of the proceedings, both at home and in the eyes of the international community; alienating US allies and empowering terrorists." (AFP)

Yesterday the Justice Department issued new rules for how deferred prosecution agreements will be administered and today former Attorney General John Ashcroft will testify about his no-bid multimillion-dollar contract to administer such agreements. Though the new rules require that the Justice Department's second-ranking official approve new contracts, representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) argues that the guidelines are actually an attempt to "thwart" "stronger standards." (AP)

A new report by the Government Accountability Office suggests that because the military makes use of so many government contractors, contractors should be be required "to disclose their financial interests so as to avoid any conflicts of interest." Currently, "contractors are not bound to most government ethics laws and regulations." (AP)

The Hillary Clinton campaign has said that it will release her tax returns "in or around April 15," but both the candidate and campaign refuse to explain why the public must wait at all for the type of financial disclosure that John Kerry, Al Gore, and Barack Obama willingly disclosed. Watchdog groups are interested in how the Clintons have amassed and managed assets estimated to value between $10 million and $50 million. (ABC's "The Blotter")

Though some Democrats are nervous about empowering non-lawmakers with investigative powers, party leaders in the House of Representatives will attempt to hold a vote today on the proposed independent ethics office. Democrats were forced to postpone action last week because of concerns that the ethics bill would foster partisan witch-hunts and initiate ethics warfare. (The Hill)

With his party plagued by corruption scandals, the chairman of the Alaska Republican Party is facing "a coup attempt" by Republicans who say he should step down. Among those calling for his replacement is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who said, "I have believed for the last few years that the party was heading in the wrong direction and it is due for a change in leadership." (Anchorage Daily News)