Judge seeks more details on Trump’s clemency for Roger Stone
A federal judge on Monday demanded more information about President Donald Trump’s decision to commute the prison sentence of longtime ally Roger Stone.
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Federal bid to execute first inmate in 17 years for Arkansas murders halted
The federal government’s efforts carry out the first federal execution in nearly two decades on Monday in Terre Haute, over the objection of the family of the victims and after a volley of legal proceedings over the coronavirus pandemic, was halted Monday, hours after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals would have allowed the execution to proceed.
Mueller defends Russia probe, says Stone remains a felon
Former special counsel Robert Mueller sharply defended his investigation into ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, writing in a newspaper opinion piece Saturday that the probe was of “paramount importance” and asserting that a Trump ally, Roger Stone, “remains a convicted felon, and rightly so” despite the president’s decision to commute his prison sentence. Meanwhile, a federal prosecutor who worked on the Russia investigation will release a book in September, a publishing company announced Monday.
7th Circuit temporarily stays federal execution set for next week
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily stayed an execution scheduled for next week after finding that two issues raised by a Terre Haute inmate were “worthy of further exploration.” Wesley Ira Purkey’s execution was scheduled for July 15, but now it will be stayed “pending the completion of proceedings in the Seventh Circuit.”
Priest sues to stop federal execution over coronavirus risk
A Zen Buddhist priest, who is a spiritual adviser to one of three federal death row inmates scheduled to be executed this month, filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing the Bureau of Prisons is putting him at risk for the coronavirus by moving forward with executions during a nationwide pandemic.
Divided appeals court orders dismissal of Michael Flynn prosecution
A divided federal appeals court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, turning back efforts by a judge to scrutinize the Justice Department’s extraordinary decision to drop the prosecution.
Prosecutor: Trump ally Roger Stone was ‘treated differently’
A federal prosecutor is prepared to tell Congress on Wednesday that Roger Stone, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was given special treatment ahead of his sentencing because of his relationship with the president.
DOJ announces portal for reporting civil rights violations
A new centralized website has been established by the federal Department of Justice to make it easier for people who wish to report possible civil rights violations.
Minkler: Hoosiers experiencing harassment due to COVID-19 should report
Hoosiers who have experienced harassment or discrimination because of the COVID-19 pandemic are urged to report those incidents to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Coordinator, U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced.
Court hears arguments on whether to dismiss Flynn case
A federal appeals court heard arguments Friday on whether it should order the dismissal of the Justice Department’s prosecution of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, wading into a politically charged legal question and a power struggle between two branches of government.
Judge puts off approving US request to dismiss Flynn case
A federal judge made clear Tuesday that he would not immediately rule on the Justice Department’s decision to dismiss its criminal case against former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn, saying he would instead let outside individuals and groups weigh in with their opinions.
Justice Department dropping Flynn’s Trump-Russia case
In an abrupt about-face, the Justice Department said it is dropping the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for the president and his supporters in attacking the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation.
Unanimous US Supreme Court throws out ‘Bridgegate’ convictions
A unanimous United States Supreme Court on Thursday threw out the convictions of two political insiders involved in the “Bridgegate” scandal that ultimately derailed the 2016 presidential bid of then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The justices found evidence of deception, corruption and abuse of power in the scheme, but said “not every corrupt act by state or local officials is a federal crime.”
Justice Department suit alleges Anthem overbilled in its popular Medicare Advantage plans
A new lawsuit alleges that Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans for seniors, defrauded the U.S. government of millions of dollars over four years by falsely certifying the accuracy of incorrect diagnosis data from doctors and other health providers.
US courts make online civics education resources available
With the coronavirus outbreak forcing the closure of schools and preventing many from leaving their houses, the US Courts are offering a series of online civics education resources so homebound students have opportunities to continue learning.
Court: House entitled to see Mueller probe grand jury testimony
The Justice Department must give Congress secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, giving the House a significant win in a separation-of-powers clash with the Trump administration.
Bont: Baseball, politics and the curveballs of crime and punishment
Much like baseball players, politicians (or political operatives) are making headlines for not playing the game by the rules.
Justices seem divided over court access for asylum seekers
The Supreme Court appeared divided Monday over whether the government can deport people who fail initial asylum screenings without allowing them to make their case to a federal judge.
Trump says Ginsburg, Sotomayor should sit out cases, but they decide
A month before the Supreme Court takes up cases over his tax returns and financial records, President Donald Trump on Tuesday made the unusual suggestion that two liberal justices should not take part in those or any other cases involving him or his administration.
Trump ally Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison
Trump loyalist and ally Roger Stone was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in federal prison, following an extraordinary move by Attorney General William Barr to back off his Justice Department’s original sentencing recommendation.