The New York Times has lost its bid to obtain wiretap information related to former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s involvement in a prostitution ring. The federal law that permits disclosure of wiretap information on a showing of good cause does not allow disclosure based solely on the news media’s interest in publishing the information,…
Category: U.S.
Philly cop accused of running criminal background check on Obama
Philadelphia’s police department is investigating why an officer used his police car’s computer to run a criminal background check on President Barack Obama. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said Friday the officer could face discipline for performing the check Wednesday morning. The Secret Service alerted the department after it learned about the incident from National Crime…
Senators Feingold, Durbin press for PATRIOT Act reform
U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are advocating reforms to the USA PATRIOT Act and related surveillance laws as part of the reauthorization of expiring provisions that the Senate will consider later this year. Feingold and Durbin have informed the Attorney General and the Chairmen of the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence Committees…
UBS tax settlement delayed
The U.S. and Switzerland need at least five more days to negotiate settlement of a Justice Department lawsuit against UBS AG seeking the names of Americans suspected of evading taxes through 52,000 secret Swiss accounts. U.S. District Judge Alan Gold in Miami today agreed to a request by Justice Department attorney Stuart Gibson to reschedule…