The Daily Muck

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik’s defense lawyer filed a motion in court yesterday to dismiss many of the charges against Kerik. Kerik’s lawyer said that the 16-count indictment against Kerik violates rules and is generally unfair. Kerik, who is accused of accepting bribes, tax fraud, and making false statements, is due in court in January. (Newsday)

Jury selection continued yesterday for the trial of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), with lawyers selecting 29 of 36 possible candidates they are required to consider before narrowing to 12. Stevens, a presence in the Senate for four decades, was indicted in July for lying about hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts he had received during his tenure. Lawyers said they would conclude the process today and begin opening arguments Thursday, one day later than originally planned. (The Hill)

The FBI yesterday revealed 6 of the 24 financial institutions under investigation, naming mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, insurer AIG Inc., and Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. among them. The probe, which begins as lawmakers hammer out details of the $700 billion bailout, will examine company leadership and attempt to determine if they misled the public about their holdings. (AP)

A Senate report on Medicare spending showed the program reimbursed at least $1 billion in claims unrelated to patients’ conditions between 2001 and 2006 due to glitches in the diagnosis coding system. Other groups have put the figure for unnecessary spending far higher, suggesting that $2.8 billion goes to waste annually. The findings, which give new air to problems reported as early as 2000, prompted Senators to call for more oversight mechanisms to more closely monitor the program. (AP)

The Department of Justice said yesterday it would not send prosecutors to monitor polling stations on Nov. 4, responding to fears by civil rights groups that police presence could intimidate minority voters. In 2004, the Democratic party filed a lawsuit saying long lines at voting stations had unfairly tipped the election to Bush. The decision to send only monitors changes longtime federal practice which has focused on preventing voter fraud. (AP)

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers (D-MI), accused Attorney General Michael Mukasey of “inaction” yesterday despite reports of fraud in the federal Minerals Management Service, which distributes oil, gas, and mining contracts. Only one person has been prosecuted since the Interior Department’s investigator first alleged abuses two weeks ago. (HJC Press Release)