Political Corruption

Apr 2 2013

Cash and interest in property exchanged

NEW YORK, N.Y. — A New York state senator and a New York City councilman were among six people arrested Tuesday morning on charges that they schemed to fix the city’s 2013 mayoral election through fraud, bribery and extortion, according to federal prosecutors.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced charges of corruption against state Sen. Malcolm Smith and Councilman Dan Halloran, alleging that Smith, a Democrat, bribed Halloran, a Republican, to help him guarantee himself a spot on the Republican ballot in the city’s November election.

Feb 20 2013

Purchase of Michael Jackson memorabilia

WASHINGTON, D.C.—With moist eyes and soft voices, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife pleaded guilty to federal charges on Wednesday related to years of using campaign funds for personal expenses that included purchases of Michael Jackson memorabilia and a Rolex watch.

“Guilty, your honor,” Jackson responded to U.S. District Judge Robert Wilkins while dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief after he looked back at family members in the courtroom, including his father, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.

Aug 9 2012

Conviction of former Compton mayor overturned

Now that a three-judge panel of California’s Second District Court of Appeals has overturned the 2004 conviction of former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley, the office of state attorney general Kamala Harris has 40 calendar days to petition the California Supreme Court to review the case.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.