The Daily MuckA couple has been charged with selling fake diplomas from fictitious universities over the Internet. The couple operated over 120 nonexistent schools and made well over $7 million through diploma sales. They are awaiting sentencing on Wednesday. (New York Times)
New U.S.-style proposals are being discussed by the U.K. Serious Fraud Office that would allow companies involved in bribery abroad to avoid punishment by admitting guilt and paying financial penalties. These proposals could help delays into U.K. corruption investigations, such as that of BAE Systems. (Financial Times)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents assisted last week in investigating the kidnapping of a relative of Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX). The kidnapped woman is a Mexican citizen and a distant relative of Rep. Reyes’ wife. The woman, Erika Posselt, was released Sunday after a ransom was paid. (Washington Post)
The Department of Defense is resisting orders from the EPA to clean up several military bases. The EPA says the bases contain dumped chemicals that pose serious dangers to both the environment and public health.This is the latest in a legal struggle between the EPA and the Pentagon over environmental issues. (Washington Post)
Vermont Law School has become the center of a new fight over the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The school does not allow military recruiters on campus, a policy that has resulted in the denial of some federal research money. The school is attempting to appeal to the federal government to reverse their de-funding. (New York Times)
The Bush administration froze a 10% pay cut for Medicare doctors, in reaction to physicians who have been running ads hinting they will be less likely to treat patients if the fee reduction is passed. The freeze allows senior citizens, who typically vote in high numbers, continued access to doctors at normal fees while Congress is on July 4th recess. (USA Today)
