Wanderlust

Tag: Law Crime

  • Trump calls for prison reform, more job training for inmates

    President Trump said Friday that the U.S. can reform prisons and release more inmates without endangering communities

    President Trump said Friday that the U.S. can reform prisons and release more inmates without endangering communities

    Hosting a summit on prison reform at the White House with state and federal officials, faith leaders and others, the president said legislation moving through Congress can help to reduce crime and save tax dollars.

    “Our whole nation benefits if former inmates are able to reenter society as productive, law-abiding citizens,” Mr. Trump said.

    About 620,000 inmates are released from prison annually after completing their sentences. But the president said that more than 33 percent of federal inmates, and more than three-fourths of state inmates, are re-arrested within five years.

    “We want former inmates to find a path to success so they can support their families and support their communities,” the president said. “Crucial to this effort is helping former prisoners find jobs. It is not merely a waste of money, but a waste of human capital … to put former inmates on public assistance instead of placing them into a steady job where they can pay taxes, contribute to their country, gain dignity and pride that comes with a career.”

    The event was moderated by Van Jones, a former Obama administration official and CNN commentator who has frequently criticized Mr. Trump. The president thanked Mr. Jones “primarily because he constantly says such nice things about me.”

    “Not too often … it does feel good,” Mr. Trump joked.

    Among those attending was Freedom Partners Chairman Mark Holden, who said the goal is for Congress to approve prison reform this year.

    “States have proven that preparing prisoners for reentry starting on day one of their sentences will increase public safety, reduce recidivism, bring incarceration rates down and save taxpayers money,” Mr. Holden said.

  • David Duke, ex-Klan leader, ordered to turn over records related to deadly Charlottesville rally

    Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke was ordered by a federal magistrate Thursday to turn over data related to last summer’s deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke was ordered by a federal magistrate Thursday to turn over data related to last summer’s deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    Ruling from New Orleans federal court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Wilkinson directed Mr. Duke, 67, to comply with most of the requests contained in a subpoena issued as part of a lawsuit initiated by several Charlottesville residents against more than a dozen individuals involved in the infamous Aug. 12 rally.

    “Although Duke is not a named defendant,” the magistrate wrote, “… he is specifically identified in plaintiffs’ first amended complaint as a co-conspirator with the named defendants who allegedly participated himself in the coordination, planning, fund-raising for and execution of defendants’ activities in Charlottesville that are the basis of the lawsuit.”

    Plaintiffs led by the Integrity First for America nonprofit group sued several “Unite the Right” participants in Charlottesville federal court after the rally resulted in chaos that culminated in violated clashes and the deaths of two police officers and a counterprotester, alleging “severe physical and emotional injuries resulting from Defendants’ planned and executed violence, harassment and intimidation.”

    Mr. Duke was not sued personally over his participation, but plaintiffs claim his communications are pertinent to their suit and obtained a subpoena seeking certain electronically stored information. He subsequently filed a motion to quash in New Orleans federal court, but ultimately had the bulk of his objections overruled with Thursday’s order.

    The magistrate’s order directed Mr. Duke to turn over documents by June 18 including records and communications related to the litigation and “Unite the Right” rally, including any conversations he conducted through email or social media with other participants in the weeks preceding their protest. He ruled partially for Mr. Duke, however, and dismissed three of the 14 document requests contained in the plaintiffs’ subpoena as broadly worded.

    Mr. Duke did not immediately return an email seeking comment. His attorney previously called the document request “overbroad” and “unduly burdensome.”

    “While some burden may be imposed upon movant in responding to these requests, I cannot conclude that his burden or expense is outweighed by the likely benefit to the truth-finding objective of requiring production,” the magistrate ruled. “The discovery these requests seek is important to resolving plaintiffs’ claims of conspiracy, coordination, planning and funding – all of which are significant to the intent element of several of the causes of action.”

    Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for the plaintiffs, previously said the requested documents “are essential to discovering the full extent of the conspiracy to plan and commit violence in Charlottesville.”

    A former grand wizard of the KKK, Mr. Duke successfully ran as a Republican in 1989 for the Louisiana House of Representatives, holding that seat until 1992. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of Louisiana in 1991 and for U.S. Senate in 2016. He currently hosts a white nationalist radio program.

  • Judge avoids ruling on law protecting Confederate monuments

    A judge has ruled a city in South Carolina can change the listing of names of soldiers killed in World War I on a private monument so they are no longer listed as “colored” or “white.”

    COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A judge has ruled a city in South Carolina can change the listing of names of soldiers killed in World War I on a private monument so they are no longer listed as “colored” or “white.”

    But Circuit Judge Frank Addy’s ruling Friday avoided a decision on whether South Carolina’s Heritage Act is constitutional. The law prevents changes on public monuments honoring the Confederacy and other historical events and figures without a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.

    Addy decided since the American Legion was a private organization, it could change the monument that stands on public land in downtown Greenwood. His ruling indicated public monuments on public land are different.

    Addy wrote he made his decision with full respect for the laudable objectives of the Heritage Act.

  • President Trump demands DOJ give informant documents to Congress

    President Donald Trump late Saturday demanded Justice Department give members of Congress the documents related to an FBI informant who had contacted campaign officials during the 2016 election.

    President Donald Trump late Saturday demanded Justice Department give members of Congress the documents related to an FBI informant who had contacted campaign officials during the 2016 election.

    “If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal,” Mr. Trump Tweeted. “Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp!”

    The tweet references allegations that have been circulating among Republicans and conservative media outlets that an FBI informant was planted into the campaign as part of the Russian collusion investigation.

    It is also the latest Tweet from Trump calling upon Justice Department to give Congress documents related to the Russian probe.

    Lawmakers had requested the documents related to the Russia investigation – which could include details about the FBI informant, – several months ago, but the Justice Department continues to stall. Earlier this month, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, Republican California, threatened to hold Attorney General Jeff Sessions in contempt if the documents are turned over.

    On Friday, multiple media outlets reported an FBI informant met with Trump campaign officials George Papadopoulos and Carter Page regarding their alleged Russia Times. The Washington Post reported the informant also met with Trump co-chairman Sam Clovis.

    The New York Times said the informant was “an American academic who teaches in Britain,” but said it would not name the person to “preserve their safety.” In addition, CNN reported the informant has been an FBI and CIA source “for years.”

    Justice Department and FBI officials have maintained that turning over the documents to Mr. Nunes would put the informant’s life in danger.

    Mr. Trump said earlier this month that he could force the Justice Department to provide lawmakers with the documents

    “A Rigged System – They don’t want to turn over Documents to Congress,” Trump tweeted. “What are they afraid of? Why so much redacting? Why such unequal “justice?” At some point, I will have no choice but to use the powers granted to the Presidency and get involved!”

    Rudy Giuliani, who is serving as the president’s attorney, told CNN Friday morning that he didn’t know for sure if the FBI had embedded an informant in the Trump campaign.

    “Here’s the issue that I really feel strongly about with this informant, if there is one. First of all, I don’t know for sure, nor does the President, if there really was. We’re told that,” the former New York City mayor told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day,” without providing details on the source for that information other than to hint some are “gone from the FBI.”

  • Rudy Giuliani: Jeff Sessions could have prevented a special counsel investigation

    Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said Friday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions could have prevented a special counsel investigation, attributing that as the reason President Trump remains upset with him.

    Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani said Friday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions could have prevented a special counsel investigation, attributing that as the reason President Trump remains upset with him.

    “What Jeff Sessions has done to him is stick him with a special counsel because he didn’t step up and say, ‘I can make this decision.’ Stick him with a special counsel, that has now $20 million later, has come up with nothing,” Mr. Giuliani said on CNN.

    He said there is no need for a special counsel investigation into collusion claims between the Trump campaign and Russia. Mr. Giuliani argued that Mr. Sessions’ recusal triggered the need for an outside counsel in the case and damaged the Justice Department’s ability to handle the investigation.

    SEE ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Mueller agrees to narrow scope of questions in bid to interview Trump

    “Nobody else in the Justice Department is recused because Sessions is recused,” Mr. Giuliani said.

    He also stood by his previous statements that Mr. Trump should not testify in the case saying special counsel Robert Mueller’s team will try to trap the president.

    “Explain to me why they even need to interview the president if it isn’t to try and trap him into perjury,” Mr. Giuliani said.

    The former New York City mayor has also said that he does not believe Mr. Mueller’s team will indict Mr. Trump.

  • Donald Trump stands by calling MS-13 ‘animals’

    President Trump said Friday that he was referring to MS-13 gang members as “animals” and not illegal immigrants as a whole in comments he made earlier this week.

    President Trump said Friday that he was referring to MS-13 gang members as “animals” and not illegal immigrants as a whole in comments he made earlier this week.

    “Fake News Media had me calling Immigrants, or Illegal Immigrants, ‘Animals.’ Wrong! They were begrudgingly forced to withdraw their stories. I referred to MS 13 Gang Members as ‘Animals,’ a big difference – and so true. Fake News got it purposely wrong, as usual!” Mr. Trumptweeted.

    The comments were in response to a sheriff who mentioned MS-13 to which the president responded, “These aren’t people, these are animals.”

    Democrats quickly jumped on the remarks with immigration groups calling Mr. Trump a “racist.”

    Fake News Media had me calling Immigrants, or Illegal Immigrants, “Animals.” Wrong! They were begrudgingly forced to withdraw their stories. I referred to MS 13 Gang Members as “Animals,” a big difference – and so true. Fake News got it purposely wrong, as usual!

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2018

  • Meek Mill, rapper, details withdrawal from Donald Trump’s prison reform panel

    Meek Mill, a previously incarcerated rapper scheduled to participate in President Trump’s prison reform panel Friday, said he abruptly withdrew from the event rather than risk distracting from the dis

    Meek Mill, a previously incarcerated rapper scheduled to participate in President Trump’s prison reform panel Friday, said he abruptly withdrew from the event rather than risk distracting from the discussion.

    “I was originally scheduled to be part of a panel on Prison Reform at the White House to help shed light on the issues within the system,” the performer, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, said in a statement.

    “Unfortunately, the focus turned to the President and Myself, which concerned me that it might take away from creating a positive result from today’s discussions,” added Mr. Williams, 31. “As a result, I decided not to attend so that the focus would be solely on fixing our prison system. Most importantly I remain fully committed to improving our criminal justice system.”

    Mr. Williams was released from prison in April after spending five months behind bars for a probation violation, and he emerged pledging to use his fame to help reform the existing criminal justice system.

    “Although I’m blessed to have the resources to fight this unjust situation, I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues,” he said in a statement following his release last month.

    “I want people to know the situation is not about me on any level,” the rapper told CBS News recently. “It’s about changing policies and doing things to protect people like myself who deserve a second chance even if you’re innocent.”

    Mr. Williams was initially sentenced to spend two to four years in prison after he was arrested in 2017 while on probation for a previous conviction, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted him bail last month and he was released early as a result.

    The White House said in a statement Friday that the panel event would bring together “a diverse group of thought leaders from across the country to discuss the need for federal prison reform.

    “There is no substitute for personal accountability and there is no tolerance for those who take advantage of society’s generosity to prey upon the innocent,” Mr. Trump said afterwards. “But if we want more prisoners to take charge of their own lives, then we should work to give them the tools to stand on their own two feet.”

  • Senate Dems concerned Ukraine not cooperating with Mueller’s Russia probe

    Top Senate Democrats are pushing Ukrainian officials to explain allegations that they’re not cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation because they fear President Trump.

    Top Senate Democrats are pushing Ukrainian officials to explain allegations that they’re not cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation because they fear President Trump.

    The three senators — Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Richard Durbin of Illinois and Patrick Leahy of Vermont — wrote a letter Friday to Ukraine Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko, expressing concern about a recent New York Times report quoting Ukrainian government officials saying its relationship with the U.S. and Trump administration is too valuable to jeopardize in any way.

    “As strong advocates for a robust and close relationship with Ukraine, we believe that our cooperation should extend to such legal matters, regardless of politics,” the senators wrote. “Blocking cooperation with the Mueller probe potentially cuts off a significant opportunity for Ukrainian law enforcement to conduct a more thorough inquiry into possible crimes committed during the Yanukovich era.”

    Viktor Yanukovych served as Ukraine’s president from 2010 to 2014, when he was removed from power during the Ukrainian revolution. He is currently in exile in Russia.

    “This reported refusal to cooperate with the Mueller probe also sends a worrying signal — to the Ukrainian people as well as the international community — about your government’s commitment more broadly to support justice and the rule of law,” the senators wrote.

    The letter also includes questions the senators have about Mr. Lutsenko’s office allegedly preventing the issuing of subpoenas to collect evidence and interview witnesses in four open cases related to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

    As part of the Mueller probe, Mr. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and tax and bank fraud charges related to his lobbying work for Mr. Yanukovych.

  • Judge faces punishment for sex acts in courthouse

    Massachusetts’ highest court will meet to consider the punishment for a judge who admitted to having a relationship with a courthouse employee that included sexual encounters in his chambers.

    BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts’ highest court will meet to consider the punishment for a judge who admitted to having a relationship with a courthouse employee that included sexual encounters in his chambers.

    The Supreme Judicial Court will hold a hearing Tuesday to explore sanctions for Judge Thomas Estes for his affair with social worker Tammy Cagle.

    The Commission on Judicial Conduct wants Estes to be suspended indefinitely to give lawmakers time to decide whether to remove him from the bench. The last time Massachusetts lawmakers ousted a judge was in 1973.

    Cagle has accused Estes of pressuring her into performing oral sex on him in his chambers and her home. Estes says the relationship was consensual and that the humiliation he has experienced calls for a more lenient punishment of a four-month suspension.

  • Former Christie allies to argue for bridge case reversals

    The traffic scandal that dragged down former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s presidential aspirations will write another chapter on Tuesday as two former associates facing prison for their roles seek

    PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The traffic scandal that dragged down former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s presidential aspirations will write another chapter on Tuesday as two former associates facing prison for their roles seek to convince a federal appeals court their convictions should be overturned.

    Attorneys for Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly are expected to argue in the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prosecutors misapplied federal law to unfairly criminalize the duo’s actions in the fall of 2013, when they realigned traffic lanes at the busy George Washington Bridge and caused massive traffic jams in the town of Fort Lee, New Jersey.

    Baroni was a top executive with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the bridge’s operator, and Kelly was Christie’s deputy chief of staff. He received a 24-month sentence last year; Kelly was sentenced to 18 months.

    Baroni’s Port Authority colleague, David Wildstein, pleaded guilty and testified he conjured up the plot – and Baroni and Kelly gleefully went along – to punish Fort Lee’s mayor, a Democrat who didn’t endorse the Republican Christie’s re-election.

    Christie wasn’t charged and denied knowing about the plot until months later, but the negative publicity from the scandal torpedoed his presidential aspirations in the 2016 GOP primary. His account of when he knew about the scheme was contradicted during the fall 2016 trial by Kelly, Baroni, Wildstein and others.

    Wildstein, a former political operative and high school acquaintance of Christie‘s, received probation and now publishes a news website focusing on New Jersey politics from his home in Florida.

    Christie, now a political analyst for ABC, said last year he was “incensed” by their conduct and characterized as “ridiculous” the idea that he would have endorsed it.

    In court filings, Baroni and Kelly have argued their convictions for misapplying the property of an organization receiving federal funds – the Port Authority, in this case – should be tossed because the law targets “diverting public property to private, personal, non-governmental uses,” something they say didn’t occur.

    They also allege the trial judge erred when she instructed jurors that they could find the pair guilty even if they didn’t believe the government proved that the plot had a political motive.