A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the ACLU to be decided this week will test the Obama administration’s upcoming decision on whether to release more interrogation memos with information about the Bush administration’s methods in the War on Terror. Some officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder, have argued that the memos should be released quickly, but former CIA officials oppose the release, saying that could offend active CIA agents. Though President Obama and Holder have both expressed disapproval of the Bush administration’s interrogation tactics, they have not yet released documents. But the administration could be pressured to release the documents in response to the ACLU suit. (New York Times)
The Obama Administration decided Tuesday to attempt to join the U.N. Human Rights Council, a reversal from the Bush Administration, which shunned the council, saying that the council was illegitimate because of the inclusion of Syria and Iran. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice told the Washington Post that “working from within, we can make the council a more effective forum to promote and protect human rights.” (Washington Post)
A federal judge ordered the release of Yasin Muhammad Basardh from Guantanamo Bay Tuesday, the second Yemeni prisoner released this week. Details of the judge’s decision were explained at a confidential hearing yesterday, but the judge did not disclose the information to the public. Basardh was charged in 2004 as a member of the Taliban who fought against the United States and its allies. In a 2005 military hearing, Basardh said that he had been completely cooperative with questioning, even giving information on al Qaeda officials. He begged not to be returned to Yemen or other Muslim nations because “they will not hesitate to kill me or anyone in my family.” (Associated Press)
A court filing released Tuesday shows that Sir Allen Stanford repeatedly denied to a federal judge SEC allegations that he masterminded an $8 billion Ponzi scheme and asked the judge to unfreeze assets so that he could hire a lawyer. Stanford said it was unfair to freeze his assets, as it made it essentially impossible to hire a lawyer. Dick DeGuerin, who says he is representing Stanford pending the issue of Stanford’s assets being cleared up, said Tuesday, “It’s simply wrong to take everything from someone and say: ‘Now, defend yourself.'” (Houston Chronicle)
The assets of Bernard Madoff’s family were frozen Tuesday along with a handful of other people close to the Ponzi schemer in connection to his multi-billion dollar scam. The ruling by a Connecticut judge in response to a lawsuit filed Monday by residents of Fairfield, prohibits Mark and Andrew Madoff, their mother Ruth, their Uncle Peter and executives of three prominent hedge funds, from selling houses or using large sums of money until the temporary restraining order expires on April 13. Though none of these defendants have been charged in association with Bernie’s crimes, the lawsuit was filed against the family in a move by Fairfield residents to recover millions in pension funds that were squandered due to the Madoff scheme. (Reuters)
State documents released recently reveal more details about talks between former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and executive members of Tribune Co. regarding the possible sale of Wrigley Field to the state. The records, which include emails and telephone logs, were released under the Freedom of Information Act to the Tribune and show that the Tribune Co. was eager to receive state funds in return for the stadium. Federal authorities claim that Blagojevich considered buying the stadium if Tribune Co. CEO Sam Zell would agree to fire members of the Chicago Tribune editorial staff, who had been critical of Blago. According to federal documents, Blago — always a charmer — said “our recommendation is to fire all those [expletive] people.” (Chicago Tribune)
