The Daily Muck

Justice Department Pushes for More Internet Data Retention
“The Bush administration has accelerated its Internet surveillance push by proposing that Web sites must keep records of who uploads photographs or videos in case police determine the content is illegal and choose to investigate, CNET News.com has learned.

“That proposal surfaced Wednesday in a private meeting during which U.S. Department of Justice officials, including Assistant Attorney General Rachel Brand, tried to convince industry representatives such as AOL and Comcast that data retention would be valuable in investigating terrorism, child pornography and other crimes. . . Industry representatives respond by saying major Internet providers have a strong track record of responding to subpoenas from law enforcement.” (CNET News)

No Pizza for Ashcroft and Friends
“Former Attorney General turned lobbyist John Ashcroft canceled the pizza party he was scheduled to host yesterday for the political appointees from his days heading the Justice Department. The cancellation came after USNews.com reported that the department’s ethics office had flagged the party as potentially troublesome in terms of appearance.” (US News and World Report)

US Attorney Subpoenas Corzine Records
“The U.S. attorney yesterday subpoenaed records from Gov. Corzine’s office, part of a widening investigation into whether lawmakers personally profited by steering money to certain causes. The subpoenas delivered to the offices of the governor and his chief counsel demand all documents regarding grants that legislators have put in state budgets since 2004. An attached letter from U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie requests, in particular, e-mail relating to ‘grants and assistance, popularly known as ‘Christmas Tree items.'” (Philadelphia Daily News)

Former Wisconsin Casino Developer Indicted
“The former developer of Kenosha’s proposed $808 million casino project was indicted Thursday on federal charges for allegedly funneling $100,000 in improper campaign contributions to Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who has final approval over Indian gaming in the state. Dennis Troha, 60, of Kenosha, Wis., was charged with one count of fraud and one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Milwaukee said. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.” Gov. Doyle is not accused misconduct. (Chicago Tribune)

Gibbons Will Cooperate with FBI
“Lawyers for Gov. Jim Gibbons, who is facing an FBI inquiry into his congressional dealings with a wealthy Reno software contractor, campaign donor and friend Warren Trepp, said Thursday that Gibbons wants them ‘to cooperate with any investigation.’ Gibbons has denied he accepted payments or gifts from Trepp in exchange for helping him get defense contracts while Gibbons was a member of Congress. Trepp, a former chief trader for convicted junk-bond dealer Michael Milken, also has denied any wrongdoing. (Associated Press)

Libby Jurors Get the Afternoon Off
The jurors in I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s perjury case will be able to leave deliberations at 2:00 p.m. today. The jurors asked U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton to be released so they could attend to personal business. Monday will be the ninth day of deliberations. (Washington Post)

Commander of Walter Reed Fired
“The commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center was fired yesterday after the Army said it had lost trust and confidence in his leadership in the wake of a scandal over outpatient treatment of wounded troops at the Northwest Washington hospital complex.” He will be temporarily replaced by Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who has been accused of knowing about the poor conditions at Walter Reed without acting to improve them. Defense Secretary Gates has also appointed an independent review to investigate outpatient care. (Washington Post)

Manufacturing Executive to Chair Consumer Product Safety Commission
“A manufacturing trade association executive is President Bush’s pick to be chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Democrats and consumer advocates on Thursday voiced concern that the nominee would be too beholden to business interests. Bush nominated Michael Baroody, executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers, to head the commission charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.” (Associated Press)