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The Speaker of the Massachusetts state House will resign today amid allegations that a close friend used their relationship to get laws passed on behalf of ticket vendors. Democrat Salvatore DiMasi has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, although his close friend Richard Vitale has pleaded not guilty to concealing lobbyist work and using his relationship with the Speaker in order to encourage passage of legislation. (Associated Press)

Incoming legal and national security officials have found that reviewing Guantanamo Bay cases will be a tall task. Information on detainees is “scattered throughout the executive branch,” according to a senior administration official. Many of the detainees held at the facility do not even have comprehensive case files. (Washington Post)

A report by the Financial Times has uncovered evidence that Bank of America may have known and approved of Merrill Lynch’s decision to grant $4 billion in bonuses last December. The report notes that John Thain, the CEO of Merrill Lynch, then a recent acquisition of Bank of America, had at least two conversations with J. Steele Alphin, the chief administrative officer of B of A, before a board meeting during which plans for bonuses were announced. (New York Times)

Lending at America’s largest banks fell in recent months despite the receipt of over $140 billion in bailout funds. 10 of the 13 banks that were big TARP recipients were looked at by the Wall Street Journal and found to have seen a drop in outstanding loan balances drop by 1.4 percent. The lack of strings attached by the Treasury to the money seems to have made it harder to ensure that banks use the money for lending. (WSJ)

Former Lehman CEO Richard Fuld has sold a $13 million Florida mansion to his wife for $10. While his intentions are not known, Florida lawyers suggest that Mr. Fuld is transferring properties because he’s worried about investor lawsuits or a possible bankruptcy. There is currently a federal investigation into whether Fuld and other Lehman executives misled investors about the state of the company. (New York Times)

With his impeachment trial set to begin today, Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was off to New York to film a couple of talk show interviews. Blagojevich is refusing to take part in the proceedings, calling them unfair and biased and charging that they deny him his constitutional rights. (Associated Press)

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