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New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo may demand the return of an estimated $4 billion paid in bonuses by Merrill Lynch last December, according to sources close to the matter. Cuomo also hopes to find out exactly how much Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis knew about plans for bonuses at Merrill Lynch and about the company’s staggering 4th quarter losses. (Bloomberg)

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) wants to rethink funding for the National Science Foundation after it came to light earlier this week that top staffers at the organization spent long periods of time surfing the internet for pornography. Grassley has sent a letter to the Office of the Inspector General at the NSF requesting any information it has related to the revelations, which were found in a foundation report by a team lead by Grassley’s finance committee aide, and is asking Congress to withhold $3 billion in funding until his request is met. (Associated Press)

A CIA employee jailed in 1997 for espionage has been able to continue spying for Russia through his 24-year-old son, according to the New York Times. Harold Nicholson was apparently able to train his son through jailhouse visits and coded letters. Nicholson was jailed for selling the names of American agents to Russia; from jail he was able to explain to Russian handlers how to identify sources working for the U.S. His son was caught transferring portions paid by the Russian government to his father. (New York Times)

The manager of the prostitution ring famously patronized by former New York governor Eliot Spitzer was sentenced Thursday to six months in prison. Cecil Suwal, a 24-year-old college student, pleaded guilty last year to money laundering, conspiracy, and conspiracy to promote prostitution. (Associated Press)

Wes Cooley, a former Republican representative from Oregon’s second congressional district, was indicted Thursday on federal money laundering and tax charges related to a fraudulent investment scheme. Cooley and two other men tried to sell unregistered stock in an internet company to investors by telling them the company would be acquired by eBay. Cooley has previously been fined $2.2 million dollars in a civil suit relating to the same fraud. (Associated Press)

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