The Michigan-based Council of Islamic Organizations said Thursday that it asked Attorney General Eric Holder to review complaints that the FBI planted Muslims in mosques to spy on Islamic leaders and community members. Congregation members said that the FBI probes extended beyond alleged spying on Islamic leaders who allegedly supported terrorist acts; some community members were told that the FBI could resolve citizenship cases if they spied on their Mosque. An official in another Michigan Muslim organization said that as Holder revamps the Justice Department “it’s extremely necessary for him to take a serious look at this issue.” (AP)
Although Rep. Peter Visclosky recently conducted a comprehensive audit of his political committees to expunge funds raised by the tainted PMA lobbying group, questions remain about the Indiana Democrat’s connection to the firm. Visclosky still has not explained the $160,000 in donations from a golf club marketing executive and a hotel sommelier, labeled on Visclosky’s FEC forms as “PMA associate” and “PMA consultant.” For years, Visclosky has steered government contracts to PMA clients and contributors. The PMA offices were raided recently by federal investigators, who are probing the firm’s connections to a number of lawmakers, including Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). (Washington Post)
In bad news for victims of Sir Allen Stanford’s $8 billion Ponzi scheme, the British receivers charged with overseeing the operations of Stanford International Bank said Thursday that the company’s liabilities greatly outweigh its assets. After Stanford’s massive fraud came to light, many of his investors quickly withdrew funds from each of his companies, including the Antiguan bank. The bank’s remaining assets will stay frozen as receivers continue to seek money to repay Stanford’s victims, a goal which seems increasingly unlikely. (Reuters)
Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) will hold a Chicago fundraiser this weekend, hoping to pad his campaign fund after a financial report released Thursday showed that he has raised only $845 since January. Burris has accumulated a hefty legal bill defending himself against ethics and perjury probes after he was appointed to Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat by former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. A host of Sunday’s fundraiser said that none of the donations will go towards the legal defense fund Burris hopes to create. (LA Times)
The number of off-duty Los Angeles police officers arrested on alcohol-related charges rose sharply since 2004. A report by the LA Sherriff’s department released Wednesday shows that 70 officers were arrested in 2008 compared to 24 in 2004. Many of the arrests involve firearms. One police deputy shot his cousin in the abdomen at a New Year’s Eve party, and two others were charged with brandishing their weapons at Los Angeles bars. A top official at a city police officer’s association said that the department does not need a new policy but needs to “start enforcing their existing policies.” (New York Times)
