Convicted senator may seek clemency from Bush
Anchorage Daily News Nov 27, 08 11:44 AM CST
(Newser)
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Even as Ted Stevens appeals of his seven-count felony conviction, the disgraced senator isn't ruling outthe possibility of seeking a pardon from President Bush, the Anchorage Daily News reports. "If I were counsel to him, I would encourage him," says Alaska's former US attorney, a Stevens supporter. "I strongly believe President Bush should pardon Senator Stevens."
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PM double-billed travel, police allege
Times (UK) Nov 26, 08 1:26 PM CST
(Newser)
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Outgoing PM Ehud Olmert will be charged with fraud, abuse of confidence, and falsification of documents, Israel’s attorney general said today, a move that could force Olmert to leave office sooner than his intended February departure, the Times reports. The scandal—involving Olmert’s political appointments, travel expenses, and a real-estate deal—is one of several that forced him to resign.
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Tycoon was said to be under investigation for insider trading
MarketWatch Nov 26, 08 6:31 AM CST
(Newser)
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China's biggest electronics retailer is trying to find out what happened to its founder, Marketwatch reports. Huang Guangyu, ranked the richest man in China in a recent report, has been not been seen since last week. The tycoon was being investigated for insider trading, but company representatives said government officials have told them nothing, according to Chines media reports. It's unclear if he may be on the run or is under arrest.
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Former head of elite 'corruption-proof' unit accused of passing info to drug cartels
Wall Street Journal Nov 22, 08 7:26 AM CST
(Newser)
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The former chief of Mexico's anti-drug operations has been arrested on suspicion of taking massive bribes from drug cartels, the Wall Street Journal reports. Noe Ramirez, accused of pocketing $450,000 for passing information on investigations to drug kingpins, is the highest-ranking official arrested so far in "Operation Cleanup," the Mexican campaign to root out corruption that has already fingered 35 high-ranking law enforcement officials.
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Alaska Republican closes 'privileged' 40-year tenure
Anchorage Daily News Nov 20, 08 1:03 PM CST
(Newser)
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Ted Stevens said goodbye to colleagues in the US Senate today, ending a 40-year career after losing his Alaska re-election bid and being convicted on corruption charges, the Anchorage Daily News reports. “I really must pinch myself to fully understand that I’m privileged to speak on the floor of the United States Senate,” Stevens said, surrounded by family, friends, and staff.
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GOP senators wait for race to be decided
Anchorage Daily News Nov 18, 08 1:18 PM CST
(Newser)
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Senate Republicans will wait until Alaska announces a victor in the still-tight race for Ted Stevens' seat before voting on whether he will be allowed to keep it. The last batch of ballots in the race is expected to be counted today, as the longest-serving conservative senator—who trails by 1,022 votes—turns 85, reports the Anchorage Daily News . GOP senators have been split on when to vote on ousting the convicted felon.
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Up to 17 officials dismissed as cost of fraud hits $13B
New York Times Nov 18, 08 6:00 AM CST
(Newser)
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After the invasion of Iraq, the American transitional administration installed dozens of anticorruption officials to bring order to the nation's bureaucracy. But in recent months the Iraqi government has systematically fired these inspectors without making any public announcement, reports the New York Times . Only recently a senior Iraqi official testified before Congress that $13 billion in American investment has been lost in Iraq to fraud, embezzlement, and waste.
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US Attorney continued to guide case after recusing herself over GOP ties
Time Nov 14, 08 2:40 PM CST
(Newser)
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New court documents call further into question the actions of Justice Department officials in their prosecution of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman on corruption charges, Time reports. With the Democrat’s appeal scheduled for next month, the House Judiciary Committee disclosed violations by the Bush-appointed US Attorney, Leura Canary, who publicly recused herself from the case but continued to privately advise prosecutors.
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Businessman was Chávez agent, jury says
New York Times Nov 4, 08 8:41 AM CST
(Newser)
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The international political funding scandal known as Suitcasegate took a new, diplomatically fraught turn yesterday when a Miami court convicted a businessman of conspiracy and of acting as an "unregistered agent" of the Venezuelan government. The trial concerns a suitcase filled with $800,000 that was intercepted in Buenos Aires. The US alleges the money was being funneled from Hugo Chávez to Argentina's president, Cristina Kirchner, during her election campaign.
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Constitutional clause being used as shield
Washington Post Nov 1, 08 1:14 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The FBI is doing its best to root out corruption on Capitol Hill—Robert Mueller called it the bureau’s “top criminal priority”—but investigators are being thwarted by a new twist on a constitutional provision, the Washington Post reports. The “speech or debate” clause was intended to protect lawmakers from harassing lawsuits and political attacks, but lately its interpretation has broadened.
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Nonetheless, Alaska senators plans appeal of last week's verdict in DC
Politico Oct 31, 08 4:11 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Ted Stevens said he had “not been convicted of anything,” during a debate last night with the Democratic challenger to his Alaska Senate seat, Politico reports—despite being convicted Monday on corruption charges. The 84-year old Republican alleges prosecutorial misconduct and plans an appeal, though top GOP figures—including John McCain and Sarah Palin—have called for his resignation.
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Alaska governor stopped short on state's senior senator, now toes nominee's line
Politico Oct 28, 08 2:09 PM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain and Sarah Palin delivered Ted Stevens a synchronized shooing toward the Senate door today, Politico reports. McCain said the 84-year-old Republican senator, convicted yesterday of corruption, “should now step down,” while Palin—who stopped short last night of urging her fellow Alaskan to resign—said today “he needs to step aside,” ABC News adds.
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