Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon's Watergate Grand Jury Testimony To Be Unsealed

Ryan J. Reilly | September 30, 2011, 3:54PM

Former President Richard Nixon

A transcript of former President Richard Nixon's testimony on the Watergate scandal before a grand jury in 1975 is going to be unsealed thanks to a lawsuit filed by Public Citizen on behalf of an historian.

Over the objection of the government, a federal court granted Public Citizen's request to unseal the 36-year-old transcript in July. The order became final this week when the Justice Department declined to appeal.

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Rick Perry

Judges Say Texas Can't Move Forward With Redistricting Plans The Feds Say Are Discriminatory

Ryan J. Reilly | September 30, 2011, 2:30PM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) holds a copy of his book

A panel of three federal judges ordered Texas not to move forward with redistricting plans for both congressional and state legislative seats until they are approved in court.

Justice Department lawyers have declared in court that they believe the congressional and statehouse redistricting plans signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry have been adopted at least in part for the purpose of "diminishing the ability of citizens of the United States, on account of race, color, or membership in a language minority group, to elect their preferred candidates."

They've argued that regardless of intent, the plans would have the effect of diminishing the ability of Hispanic voters to pick their preferred candidates.

A panel of three federal judges in San Antonio ruled that Texas should wait until the courts rule on the legality of the maps. In San Antonio, the panel of judges has heard testimony about the maps but hasn't ruled on their legality, while the D.C. panel -- charged with deciding whether to preclear the maps -- won't hold hearings for a month, according to the Texas Tribune. The court in San Antonio is handling a separate suit filed by opponents of the plan, while court in D.C. is handling the suit involving the Justice Department.

"According to the Texas Election Code, any changes that must be made in the county election precinct boundaries 'to give effect to a redistricting plan' must be finalized by October 1, 2011," the judges wrote, according to the Texas Tribune. "Because the redistricting plans have not been precleared ... all persons or entities that would otherwise have a duty under Section 42.032 of the Texas Election Code are relieved of those duties until further order of the Court."

Anwar al-Awlaki

What Impact Will Anwar Al-Awlaki's Death Have In The West?

Jillian Rayfield | September 30, 2011, 12:30PM

The death of Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born cleric linked to al Qaeda's operations in Yemen, is likely to impact American Arabs and Muslims in positive fashion, according to Dr. Hussein Ibish, former communications director for the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Commitee.

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Kinde Durkee

Feds: Kinde Durkee Investigation 'Not Complete'

Ryan J. Reilly | September 30, 2011, 11:18AM

Kinde Durkee

The federal government indicated in a court document this week that their investigation of California treasurer Kinde Durkee is not complete.

The government is "awaiting the production of additional, relevant materials that will assist it in the investigation," according to a court document filed in the Durkee case.

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Justice Department

DOJ Inspector General: Yeah, We Were Wrong About Those $16 Muffins

Ryan J. Reilly | September 30, 2011, 6:40AM

Image From Simon Greig / Shutterstock

The $16 muffin myth is officially debunked.

The Justice Department's Inspector General -- the very same entity which cooked up the $16 muffin figure in their audit of DOJ's conference spending -- issued a statement to Bloomberg Businessweek backing out of their original claim.

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Marcus Epstein

Pat Buchanan Book Gives Special Thanks To Infamous Racist Karate Chopper

Jillian Rayfield | September 29, 2011, 4:26PM

In his upcoming book, Pat Buchanan gives special thanks to his researcher Marcus Epstein -- a former staffer for Tom Tancredo who became infamous for a racist karate chopping incident in 2007.

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Boeing

Undercover Sting Nabs Boeing Military Aircraft Factory Workers Buying, Selling Fake Drugs

Ryan J. Reilly | September 29, 2011, 3:26PM

Boeing's Ridley Township, PA plant.

Boeing thought a lot of employees who work on military aircraft at their factory in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania were on drugs. So they brought in the feds.

The FBI, DEA and federal prosecutors announced Thursday the arrest of 37 current and former employees (and one non-employee) accused of abusing prescription drugs, the result of a "coordinated, long-term, undercover effort" that Boeing cooperated with.

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Rick Scott

Rick Scott's Odd Defense Of Much Maligned Welfare Drug Testing Program

David Taintor | September 29, 2011, 12:11PM

Governor Rick Scott (R-FL)

If Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) wants to defend the merit of his state's welfare drug testing law, this might not be the best way to do it.

On CNBC's Squawk Box Thursday morning, Scott posed a hypothetical scenario, where he thinks welfare benefits can be fairly handed out. If "there are two parents, one uses drugs, one doesn't, you can go give the money to the one who doesn't use drugs," Scott said.

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Rezwan Ferdaus

Rezwan Ferdaus: The Drummer Accused Of Plotting 'Drone' Attack On D.C.

Ryan J. Reilly | September 29, 2011, 11:10AM

The last time Rezwan Ferdaus, the 26-year-old Massachusetts man accused of plotting to attack the U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon with C-4 loaded model airplanes, had a run-in with the law was when he and two other students poured concrete in front of 10 doors to his high school in 2003.

Ferdaus, nicknamed "Bollywood," was the original drummer of the Goosepimp Orchestra when the band formed in 2004 until he "moved on to become a devout spiritual practitioner," according to the band's website. He also apparently played drums with a punk band named Silk Road, which has songs named "No Pilot" and "Gaza Dozer."

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Georgia

Publisher Receives 'Terroristic' Threats After Complaints That Textbook Promoted Islam

Jillian Rayfield | September 29, 2011, 10:38AM

Police are looking into a series of online threats made against a Georgia textbook publisher after a parent complained that one of the books promoted Islam and polygamy.

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Planned Parenthood

Another Day, Another Battle In The GOP's War On Planned Parenthood

Jillian Rayfield | September 29, 2011, 5:00AM

Planned Parenthood Supporter

House Republicans have announced an investigation into Planned Parenthood's funding, in the latest move in the seemingly endless effort to cripple the women's health service provider.

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Osama bin Laden

Obama Admin: Osama Bin Laden Photos Must Remain Private To Protect National Security

David Taintor | September 28, 2011, 4:55PM

Osama Bin Laden

In the "interest of national security," the Obama administration this week said pictures of a deceased Osama bin Laden must not be released.

To release the images, the U.S. government said late Monday, could "inflame anti-American sentiments and provoke violent attacks on the United States or its citizens abroad."

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FBI

FBI Arrests Man For Plotting To Attack Capitol, Pentagon With C-4 Loaded Remote Controlled Planes

Ryan J. Reilly | September 28, 2011, 3:30PM

Updated: 5:55PM

Rezwan Ferdaus, a 26-year-old Massachusetts resident was arrested in an FBI sting on Wednesday after allegedly plotting to use large remote controlled model airplanes packed with C-4 plastic explosives to attack the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol.

Ferdaus allegedly traveled to Washington, D.C. to take photos of his targets in May 2011, all while under FBI surveillance. The Northeastern University graduate allegedly began planning to commit "jihad" against the United States in early 2010 and obtained mobile phones that he modified to act as an electrical switch for an IED.

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Michigan

Inmate Allegedly Offered To Pay $500K For Kidnap Of Michigan State Representative

Ryan J. Reilly | September 28, 2011, 3:05PM

State Rep. Barb Byrum (D-MI)

A prisoner in jail for witness intimidation, assault and first-degree home invasion allegedly tried to offer a hitman $500,000 to kidnap, torture and possibly murder Michigan State Rep. Barb Byrum (D), MLive.com reported.

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News International

Key Ex-NOTW Reporter Tries For Whistleblower Status In Wrongful Termination Suit

Jillian Rayfield | September 28, 2011, 1:56PM

A former News Of The World reporter, who is a central figure in the phone hacking scandal, is claiming whistleblower status in a wrongful termination lawsuit against the defunct tabloid's parent company News International.

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James O'Keefe

We May Find Out How Much Andrew Breitbart Paid James O'Keefe For One Of His ACORN Videos

Ryan J. Reilly | September 28, 2011, 12:40PM

Conservative Activists Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe

A federal judge handling a federal lawsuit filed by a former ACORN employee against James O'Keefe has ordered the conservative provocateur and filmmaker to disclose video footage and payments he received from Andrew Breitbart in relation to one of his sting operations.

"The Court believes that it may be relevant that Defendant was paid for the video of
Plaintiff," wrote U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell D. Dembin. "Such a payment may inform the intent of the Defendant in engaging in the alleged illegal activity and Plaintiff must prove that the actions were intentional."

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American Crossroads

Watchdogs Ask IRS To Probe Non-Profits Affiliated With Karl Rove And Obama Aides

Ryan J. Reilly | September 28, 2011, 11:35AM

Karl Rove

Two good government groups have formally asked the IRS to investigate the actions of Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA, American Action Network and Americans Elect, who they say should be inelligible for tax exempt status.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, officials with the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 write, section 501(c)(4) organizations "are required to primarily engage in the promotion of social welfare in order to obtain tax exempt status."

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John Francis Lechner

Man Charged With Possessing 4,000 Pounds Of Explosives, Saying 'We Will Be Mercenaries'

Jillian Rayfield | September 28, 2011, 10:45AM

A Michigan man was charged with possessing over 4,000 pounds of explosives and allegedly told an informant that "when the government takes over, we will be mercenaries."

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Scott Beason

Alabama GOPer Apologizes For Calling Black Casino Customers 'Aborigines'

Ryan J. Reilly | September 28, 2011, 9:25AM

State Sen. Scott Beason (R-AL)

An Alabama Republican who called blacks "aborigines" while wearing an FBI wire apologized on Tuesday for his remarks.

State Sen. Scott Beason called his comments "careless and unnecessary" in a statement he read outside a civic center. "Our purpose today is to say that I am very sorry and I apologize to anyone whose feelings were hurt by my comment."

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George Wright

Fugitive Who Stole Warden's Car, Moonlighted As Model Caught Overseas After 41 Years

Jillian Rayfield | September 28, 2011, 6:00AM

Recently Captured Fugitive George Wright

Federal agents ended a 41-year search for a fugitive from a New Jersey prison on Monday when they captured him in a town outside Lisbon, Portugal.

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Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley's South Carolina To Give Rides To 22 Voters To Get Photo IDs

Ryan J. Reilly | September 27, 2011, 4:15PM

Nikki Haley

Arguing last month that the voter ID law she signed into law in May wasn't discriminatory, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley offered to give voters free rides to obtain their photo ID from the DMV. 22 people took her up on it.

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Anonymous

Pepper Spraying Cop Was Named In Civil Rights Complaints For 2004 Anti-Bush Protests

Jillian Rayfield | September 27, 2011, 1:41PM

Anthony Bologna, the NYPD officer who maced a protester at the Occupy Wall Street rally, was named in several civil rights lawsuits related to arrests made at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

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Chuck Grassley

Help 'Muffin Man' Chuck Grassley Save Taxpayers Some Cash

Ryan J. Reilly | September 27, 2011, 12:25PM

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was very, very upset -- and even called for someone to lose their job -- when he learned last week that the Justice Department was accused of paying $16 per muffin at a 2009 legal conference in D.C. (though that number is disputed).

Grassley continued pressing the issue on Monday, writing a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew asking for more information on his review of conference expenditures.

Regardless of whether DOJ really paid $16 for a muffin -- and it seems almost certain they didn't -- what's nice about federal agencies is that they've got inspector generals to try to keep their actions and their spending in line.

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Pamela Geller

Pamela Geller Planning Lawsuit Over Rejected Subway Ad Calling Israel's Enemies 'Savages'

Jillian Rayfield | September 27, 2011, 10:44AM

Conservative activist Pamela Geller

Atlas Shrugs blogger and noted Islamophobe Pamela Geller says she will file a lawsuit against New York City's MTA, after they rejected her subway ad calling Israel's enemies "savages."

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Roman Otto Conaway

Conaway Gets Five Years For Using Fake Bomb In Attempt To Start Muslim-Christian War

Ryan J. Reilly | September 27, 2011, 6:05AM

Roman Conaway

Roman Otto Conaway was sentenced on Friday for making a false threat to detonate an explosive device and influencing a federal officer by threat.

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Russell Pearce

Russell Pearce Supporters Accused Of Running Sham Candidate In AZ Recall Election

Jillian Rayfield | September 27, 2011, 6:03AM

State Senator Russell Pearce (R-AZ)

Russell Pearce, the Arizona Senate president who authored the state's controversial immigration law and is facing a recall election, is also facing a lawsuit that alleges his supporters have helped run a sham candidate in the election to dilute the vote and help his chances to stay in office.

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Defense Department

Boosted By Jordan, Oil Company Overcharged U.S. Military For Fuel In Iraq

Ryan J. Reilly | September 27, 2011, 6:00AM

A soldier helps guard the Rumelia Oil Field in southern Iraq on April 2, 2003.

An oil company supplying the U.S. military with gas in Iraq was able to overcharge the government because they were the only company authorized by Jordan to transport through their country, according to a Defense Department Inspector General report obtained by TPM via Freedom of Information Request.

The International Oil Trading Company (IOTC) was paid "about $160 to $204 million (or 6 to 7 percent) more for fuel than could be supported by price or cost analysis," according to the report. Investigators also found that Kellogg, Brown, and Root performed an "inherently
governmental function" by accepting fuel on behalf of the government.

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Chris Christie

Chris Christie Vetoes $420K 'Snooki Subsidy' Production Credit

Jillian Rayfield | September 26, 2011, 4:42PM

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has vetoed a $420,000 "Jersey Shore" production credit that was criticized by local lawmakers as a "fake tanning" tax break and "a terrible, terrible and misguided waste."

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Alabama

Alabama Town Offers 'Church Or Jail' Sentencing Choice

Jillian Rayfield | September 26, 2011, 1:20PM

A small town in Alabama is offering non-violent offenders the choice between doing prison time and paying a fine, or working their sentence off by going to church every week.

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Minuteman PAC

Minuteman PAC Fundraising For Joe Arpaio's 'Cold Case Posse'

Jillian Rayfield | September 26, 2011, 11:31AM

Minuteman volunteer Haskell (no last name) of Houston, looks across the Mexico border from atop his vehicle as a Border Patrol helicopter passes overhead.

Minuteman PAC wants to capitalize on that key subset of anti-immigration activists who are birthers.

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NYPD

NYC Police Chief: NYPD Could Take Down An Airplane If Necessary

Jillian Rayfield | September 26, 2011, 9:33AM

The NYPD's counterterrorism unit has the means to take down an aircraft "in a very extreme situation," according to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

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