UPDATE: Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich did not testify in court this morning, as his defense team rested without calling a witness. Closing arguments are scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m. Monday. “It is my decision, judge,” Blagojevich said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “I made the decision freely.” Before the trial, the ex-governor…
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By Allan Lengel For AOL News In New Orleans, a town known for its jambalaya, jazz and hospitality, it hasn’t been difficult over the years to find folks willing to serve up some harsh words about their often-maligned and scandal-plagued police department. That may change — even with the latest federal indictments for the shootings…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Attorney Gen. Eric Holder came to Afghanistan on Wednesday to talk to officials about the justice system and public corruption, which seems to be running rampant, the Associated Press reported. AP reported that Holder’s visit comes in wake of Afghan’s top prosecutor’s denial that he was being pressured to look the…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com It was anticipated for many months, and on Wednesday federal prosecutors indicted imprisoned ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on 19-criminal counts stemming from his scheme to use the nonprofit Kilpatrick Civic Fund for personal benefit and campaign expenses. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Kilpatrick, who is serving prison time for state…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Who didn’t figure this was coming? The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office is asking U.S. District Judge James Zagel to impose a gag order to shut up ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his lawyers during the ongoing public corruption trial, the Chicago Tribune reported. Prosecutors claim the defense and Blago are trying to…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Michael Ward, the new head of the FBI’s Newarks office, is getting his feet wet, getting to know his agents, quickly learning what clearly will be a big priority, the Newark Star-Legder reports. “After my first couple of briefings, I think I can safely say that corruption is an issue in…
