Category: Law
-
Skeptical U.S. judge gives FBI two weeks to conduct better search of 9/11 records
By Dan Christensen and Anthony Summers
BrowardBulldog.org
UPDATE 4/4/14 — Troubled by “inconsistencies” and the government’s sometimes “nonsensical” legal arguments, a federal judge on Friday ordered the FBI to conduct a detailed search of its records for information about apparent terrorist activity in Sarasota prior to 9/11. -
/
5552 SEEN/
What the proposed NSA reforms wouldn’t do; big differences among plans
By Kara Brandeisky
ProPublica/small>
Ten months after Edward Snowden’s first disclosures, three main legislative proposals have emerged for surveillance reform: one from President Obama, one from the House Intelligence Committee, and one proposal favored by civil libertarians. All the plans purport to end the bulk phone records collection program, but there are big differences – and a lot they don’t do. Here’s a rundown. -
/
11375 SEEN/
Gov. Scott’s blind trust deviates from U.S. model; Florida law omits federal safeguards
By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
When Florida’s Commission on Ethics OK’d Gov. Rick Scott’s blind trust last September it acted after being told by the governor’s lawyers that it was “modeled on the blind trust of the federal Office of Government Ethics.” But the governor’s blind trust – packed with more than $70 million in Scott’s stocks, bonds and other financial assets – deviates substantially from the federal model. -
Citing broad public interest, newspapers ask judge to deny U.S. bid to block 9/11 lawsuit
By Dan Christensen and Anthony Summers
BrowardBulldog.org
Two Florida newspapers have asked a Fort Lauderdale federal judge to deny the Justice Department’s effort to shut down a Freedom of Information lawsuit seeking records from an FBI investigation into apparent terrorist activity in Sarasota shortly before 9/11. -
Gov. Scott quietly rakes in millions from stock sales; Florida’s blind trust law ineffective
By Dan Christensen
BrowardBulldog.org
Over the last 15 months, Gov. Rick Scott and his wife, Ann, through various entities, made more than $17 million selling hundreds of thousands of shares a single stock. Scott’s blind trust sold shares of that stock worth $2.54 million in December 2012. You aren’t supposed to know that. Gov. Scott isn’t supposed to know it either. -
/
6608 SEEN/
Voting rights advocates try to put oversight back the map
By Kara Brandeisky
ProPublica
When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act last June, justices left it to Congress to decide how to fix the law. But while Congress deliberates, activists are turning again to the courts: At least 10 lawsuits have the potential to bring states and some local jurisdictions back under federal oversight – essentially doing an end-run around the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Support Florida Bulldog
Florida Bulldog’s year end fundraising season runs now through the end of the year.
Right now your contribution means more than ever. Contributions up to $1,000 will be matched dollar for dollar by NewsMatch a collaborative fundraising movement to support fact-based and nonpartisan journalism in the U.S. In keeping with transparency, we publicly acknowledge all donors on site.
If you believe in the value of watchdog journalism, please make your tax-deductible contribution today.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Join Our Email List
Florida Bulldog delivers fact-based watchdog reporting as a public service that’s essential to a free and democratic society. We are nonprofit, independent, nonpartisan, experienced. No fake news here.