Bridgeport Mayor John M. Fabrizi admitted he used cocaine after taking office in 2003 and told the Connecticut Post in an interview published Tuesday that he feels ashamed and humiliated. Fabrizi sought a meeting with the newspaper's editorial board after an FBI report surfaced in which an alleged drug dealer claimed an associate had a videotape of the mayor using cocaine. "I'm ashamed. I'm humiliated for myself. I never meant to let the world know. I didn't want my family to know," Fabrizi told the newspaper. Fabrizi, a Democrat who took over leadership of the state's largest city after his predecessor was convicted of corruption, would not say how he obtained cocaine but said he occasionally spent $20 or $40 to purchase it. ... http://www.cbsnews.com censor News |
Editor - 10:24:00 06-20-06 |
Safavian Convicted of Hiding Aid to Lobbyist Abramoff |
Former White House official David Safavian was convicted of hiding his aid to lobbyist Jack Abramoff and obstructing an inquiry into their trip to Scotland, in the first trial stemming from an influence-peddling probe. A federal jury in Washington today found Safavian, 38, guilty of three counts of making false statements and one count of obstructing justice. He was acquitted of another obstruction charge. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Safavian plans to appeal. The verdict is a victory for the Justice Department's strategy of relying on e-mail messages between Abramoff and Safavian to prove guilt. Without calling Abramoff to the witness stand, prosecutors Peter Zeidenberg and Nathaniel Edmonds painted Safavian as a public servant led astray by lavish gifts. ... http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aFBFIifl_FN0&refer=home
full News |
Editor - 10:20:00 06-20-06 |
US wants telecom surveillance lawsuits in DC court |
The U.S. Justice Department wants to consolidate at least two dozen lawsuits against the government and Verizon Communications Inc. that involve the National Security Agency's alleged access to telephone customer records.The government on Monday filed a motion supporting Verizon's request that 20 class-action lawsuits accusing the company of helping the foreign intelligence surveillance program be combined in a single court in Washington. "Given the national security concerns in this case, the District of Columbia would be the most logical and convenient forum," the filing said. The Justice Department also asked that five other lawsuits against the U.S. government related to the surveillance program be consolidated and coordinated with the Verizon proceeding. ... http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2097988
full News |
Editor - 10:16:00 06-20-06 |
U.S. May Use Missile Defense; N. Korea Says Not Bound By 6-Party Talks |
The United States has activated its missile defense system to deal with a possible North Korean missile test, Kyodo News agency reported Tuesday, citing a report. The U.S. is considering intercepting the missile if North Korea goes ahead with the test, Kyodo said, quoting The Washington Times. The report came after Pyongyang declared Tuesday it is free to conduct missile tests despite a self-imposed moratorium, saying it is not bound by prior agreements and that outsiders have no right to criticize its actions. "This issue concerns our autonomy. Nobody has a right to slander that right," Japan's Kyodo News agency quoted North Korean Foreign Ministry official Ri Pyong-dok as telling Japanese reporters in North Korea. ... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/20/world/main1731500.shtml?source=RSS&attr=World_1731500
full News |
Editor - 10:13:00 06-20-06 |
Charges dropped for some students charged in immigration walkouts |
A judge has dismissed charges against five students who were ticketed for violating a city youth curfew while protesting national immigration policies.Municipal Court Judge Dan McNeary dismissed two of the cases June 8 and three others on Thursday, Round Rock City Attorney Steve Sheets said. Prosecutors had asked the judge to drop the charges. Sheets said cases are still pending against 93 other students who have pleaded not guilty. Eighty-three others pleaded guilty or no contest and accepted either $200 fines or up to 32 hours of community service. The students fighting the charges argue that the city's curfew ordinance includes exemptions for free speech and free assembly. ... http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-06-20-students-walkout_x.htm?csp=34
full News |
Editor - 10:10:00 06-20-06 |
Episcopalians mull whether to bar gay bishops |
The Episcopal General Convention tried again Tuesday to break an impasse on whether to meet Anglican demands that the U.S. church stop electing gay bishops for now. If delegates fail to approve some restriction on electing gays to the high-level office before the meeting ends Wednesday, it could hasten a split in the family of Anglican churches, which already is badly divided over the Bible and homosexuality. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has been trying to broker a truce, but some church leaders believe he can only keep those efforts alive if the Americans send a signal that they are willing to compromise. The Episcopal House of Deputies, comprised of more than 800 lay people and clergy, reconvened Tuesday after failing to vote on the measure the day before. ... http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-06-20-episcopalians_x.htm?csp=34
full News |
Editor - 10:08:00 06-20-06 |
|
post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |
|